If you are well-versed with CAD modeling basics, then this software would be the best pick for you. Is there a cheaper alternative to AutoCAD?įreeCAD, as the name suggests, is a free and open-source CAD software, and it’s a top choice among both beginners and professionals.Slack, Microsoft, Google, and others have also offered temporarily free access to certain services for some business and educational users to facilitate remote work. In response to the unprecedented shift toward remote-work and remote-education that has taken place over the last two months, many software and technology companies have offered free use of their products to help with the transtion.Īdobe, for example, recently extended free use of its Adobe Creative Cloud software suite to universities and their students to help students who rely on school computer labs continue to do their work at home. Previously on Archinect: “ Architectural professionals share the emotional impacts of COVID-19.” The process for signing up for the program is similar to that for trial use of Autodesk software. The program is available, according to Autodesk, for both new and existing customers.

Our goal, instead, is to get a program up and running as quickly as possible to provide customers increased flexibility in what’s become a challenging work environment.” Photo by Nils Timm.Īndrew Anagnost, Autodesk’s President and CEO, explains in an update posted to the company’s website: “Let me be clear: we’re not introducing this program to convert customers into paying users. Previously on Archinect: “ How CO Architects Transitioned a 110+ Team to Work From Home.” Image courtesy of CO Architects. In an effort to facilitate the transition toward remote-work setups in response to COVID-19, Autodesk is extending free commercial use software licenses for some of its remote- and team-based products.Īutodesk’s Extended Access Program, which launched in late March and was recently extended through May 31, 2020, offers free commercial use of programs that include BIM 360 Docs, BIM 360 Design, Fusion 360, Fusion Team, AutoCAD Web and Mobile, and Shotgun.

Autodesk free software program