AutoCAD Inventor Professional Software for FREE?

BHD · Oct 1, 2012

When I started with computers I was using Generic Cadd, a very good program and would do ever thing auto cad would do at the time,, Auto cad bought out generic cadd and killed the product (here I had over $700 invested and there "discount to up grade to there program was a slap in the face, it was like $25 or $50 dollar discount, and if I remember correctly the auto cad was over $1200,

I will not use there products,

Baby Grand · Oct 2, 2012

When I worked in the CAD/CAE business 15 years ago, the profit model was to sell at cost and create a revenue stream by charging 15% of list for maintenance (help desk support & free upgrades). Other profit sources were instructor lead training classes and copyrighted training materials (books). You had to have that support paid up whenever the OS changed or had service patches or you got left behind or had to update your maintenance contract retroactively (pay all the maintenance fees that you had "skipped"). So "free" has a different meaning to me. Maybe the business model has changed and I am wrong. Do yourself a favor and find out before you commit a lot of time and design to this particular product.

lockhaven · Oct 2, 2012

CAD companies will protect their product with everything available, there a many truly free programs available for the amateur designer that you can use without the risk of a huge lawsuit. Remember the professional programs have a long learning curve, the things you see on the web sites have been done by professionals so do not expect the same results when you attempt to use it. I have been using CAD for close to 40 years and still am learning every day.

Luremaker · Oct 3, 2012

Turbys_1700 said:
....
Microsoft allows students to purchase their office suites of products at ridiculously low prices using the same format...
You just need to prove that you are a student...
It is a good marketing tool for the companies to do this...

My two sons are studying engineering at University and are able to download and use many Microsoft apps for free. Apps including Office, Windows 8, Windows Server among others. I believe the licenses are limited to 24 months. I am not sure of what credentials Microsoft require.

slowzuki · Oct 4, 2012

I've got the beta mac version of Inventor on my machine as they were giving it away this summer. Last used it 10 years ago as Mechanical Desktop. Pretty sluggish on my laptop.

NICKB304 · Oct 5, 2012

so is this autodesk inventor (very similar to solidworks), or autocad (2d lines on a black background)? if it is inventor that would be awesome! if its autocad you should just go download DraftSight from dassault systemes(the makers of solidworks and many other programs). DraftSight is free and easy to use.

NICKB304 · Oct 5, 2012

so is this autodesk inventor (very similar to solidworks), or autocad (2d lines on a black background)? if it is inventor that would be awesome! if its autocad you should just go download DraftSight from dassault systemes(the makers of solidworks and many other programs). DraftSight is free and easy to use.