This allows students to get familiar with software they’ll later use in the workplace, making the transition from academic to professional life easier. Not only is the software free for students, but also there’s no charge for academic departments. The provision of free software is available to around 80 million students and educators worldwide. This means that any user with a valid academic email address can sign up for a free AutoCAD license.Īutodesk state on their education page that they “genuinely believe in education”, and aim to equip users “with tools and resources to help achieve academic and future career success”. In 2014, Autodesk made the landmark decision to make its products free for students, teachers and academic institutions.
Want to learn how? Read on for the full details.Īs part of their commitment to education, Autodesk have made their products available to educational users for free three-year licenses However, dependent on your requirements, it is possible to get AutoCAD completely free. Weighing in at $175 per month, or $1,400 per year, this doesn’t come cheap but given the value that users can get from the software, thousands of users worldwide find that it’s worth the investment. Much like many other software developers Autodesk has now phased out perpetual licenses for all its products, leaving customers with subscription options only. However, the product’s great functionality requires an investment.
It’s no wonder, therefore, that AutoCAD is in such high demand. Today, AutoCAD is not only the flagship product of its parent company, Autodesk, but is the most widely used CAD software in the world. Originally created for mechanical engineering, AutoCAD has dramatically expanded its reach to incorporate practically every branch of design, with industry-specific “flavours” being added with the launch of AutoCAD 2017.
“The release of AutoCAD for Mac marks the return of professional design and engineering software to the Mac platform and an important convergence of power and design,” said Amar Hanspal, senior vice president, Autodesk Platform Solutions and Emerging Business.Īs reported more recently by Softpedia, AutoCAD for Mac is integrated with AutoCAD WS, an iOS-based sidekick which enables users to view and work with AutoCAD drawings directly their iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch.It’s been 35 years since the launch of AutoCAD in 1982, and in that time, the program has gone from strength to strength. In a report by the New York Times, the company’s real reasons for bringing AutoCAD back to the Mac are exposed - Autodesk just couldn’t ignore the growing number of Mac users out there.
The new version of AutoCAD runs natively on Mac OS X, whicg increases the choice of hardware for users around the world, the company outlined. We’ve found it to be a very powerful and reliable product that has all the functionality we need.”
“Our experience has been that AutoCAD for Mac is similar enough to the PC version that the transition is easy. “We have been waiting a long time for AutoCAD to come back to the Mac,” said Andrew Handley, CAD development manager. Free educational licenses will be offered to students and educators, Autodesk said. Those interested in giving the software a go can download the free, 30-day trial right now. “This version of AutoCAD software, one of the most widely used applications for professional design and engineering, makes powerful AutoCAD features and functionality available to customers who choose to work natively on the Mac,” the company states over at its press room. As promised by Autodesk back in August, AutoCAD for Mac has returned with powerful features and functionality available to customers who choose to work natively on the Mac.Ī leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, Autodesk has officially announced that AutoCAD for Mac is now available for purchase.