AutoCAD is a powerful computer-aided design software widely used in architecture, engineering, and other industries. However, the cost of purchasing a license can be prohibitive for students who are just starting out in these fields. Fortunately, there are several ways for students to get AutoCAD for free or at a discounted price.
Autodesk Education Community
The Autodesk Education Community is a program that gives teachers and students free access to Autodesk software that can be used for educational purposes. The program provides users with access to various software products, some of which are AutoCAD, Revit, Maya, and 3ds Max, all of which find widespread application in the fields of architecture, engineering, and design.
Even though there are alternatives to AutoCAD from Autodesk, professionalism cannot be compared. A lot of students get worried due to laptop specifications. If your concern is which laptop is best for AutoCAD, There is no need to worry, as we have curated the best tips on how to choose the best laptop for AutoCAD.
Steps to sign up and download free software
- Go to the Autodesk Education Community website.
- Click the “Sign In” button in the upper right corner of the page.
- Click “Create Account”.
- Follow the instructions to enter your personal details, email address, and password.
- Select your country and enter your date of birth.
- Choose your role as “Student” and enter your school information.
- Upload proof of your academic status, such as a transcript or student ID.
- Review and accept the terms and conditions.
- Click “Create Account” to complete the sign-up process.
After you have registered for the site, you can access the free software by downloading it by following these steps:
- Go to the “Software” tab on the Autodesk Education Community website.
- Select the software you want to download, such as AutoCAD.
- Choose your operating system and language.
- Click “Download Now”.
- Follow the instructions to download and install the software on your computer.
Limitations and eligibility requirements
Autodesk Education Community software can only be used for non-commercial purposes, and the license is limited for a certain amount of time. Unlike the other alternatives to AutoCAD. It is important to review the terms and conditions carefully before downloading any software read here the limitations and eligibility requirements of AutoCAD Student Version.
Types of licenses available to students
Autodesk makes available to students a variety of licenses that can be used with its software products like AutoCAD. These licenses come in different types. The following are the primary categories of licenses that can be obtained:
Free Educational License: In order to encourage the educational adoption of Autodesk’s software, the company offers free educational licenses to educational institutions as well as students and teachers. These licenses can be renewed on an annual basis and are only good for a predetermined amount of time before expiring. The software that can be downloaded through the educational license can only be used for educational purposes and is not licensed for commercial use.
Student License: Autodesk also offers a student license for students who want to use the software for personal or academic purposes outside of their regular coursework. These licenses are free, but they only last for three years. The software you can download with a student license can only be used for non-business purposes.
Education Institution License: Schools can also buy licenses so their students and teachers can use the software. Most of the time, these licenses are good for one year and can be renewed every year. They are cheaper than commercial licenses because they are only meant for educational use.
Commercial License: Commercial licenses are intended for professional use and are not available to students through Autodesk. However, students may be able to obtain commercial licenses through their employers or by purchasing a license on their own.
Students who want to learn and master CAD software need to be able to get AutoCAD for free or at a low cost. There are a lot of choices, which can be confusing. On that note, you need to know the eligibility requirements and steps to obtain a license for Autodesk software.
Written by Samuel Ansah Addo & Edited by Christopher Sam
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Christopher Sam is a savvy web designer and developer with advanced knowledge in Search Engine Optimization. The certified Google Trainer is also a trusty contributor to this website.