AutoCAD Inventor Professional Software for FREE?

mikehaugen · Oct 1, 2012

I played around a little with inventor about 5 years ago, I believe it was version "11". It had some built-in tutorials that really got you off to a good start I thought. I didn't have enough real-world use for it to really learn it very well though, but it definitely seemed quite powerful.

lockhaven · Oct 1, 2012

AC is not being generous, this promotion is for students. If you have lots of young upcoming draftsmen designers and engineers that have experience using a certain software companies will buy that software if it meets their needs to save on training. Same thing Apple did several years ago putting apple computers in schools.

Wyobuckaroo · Oct 1, 2012

Question..........

Where can I get a program that will crate machine code ......... ? (machine tool path)

Haas compatible would be great, but not necessary, I can edit to any particular machine format.

Also for turning.......... ??? Would LOVE to have an old Mazatrol at this moment......

Thanks

Shield Arc · Oct 1, 2012

Have you looked at BobCad?
BobCAD-CAM is The World Leader in Powerful CAD/CAM Software

sdkubota · Oct 1, 2012

Software companies and especially Autodesk sue unlicensed users routinely for hundreds of thousands of dollars. I have over $20k invested in Autodesk and Carlson and would never risk having any non-licensed copies of software. They write the software code today where your computer will rat you out. My $ 0.02

Turbys_1700 · Oct 1, 2012

Wyobuckaroo said:
Question..........

Where can I get a program that will crate machine code ......... ? (machine tool path)

Haas compatible would be great, but not necessary, I can edit to any particular machine format.

Also for turning.......... ??? Would LOVE to have an old Mazatrol at this moment......

Thanks

Lots of programs out there...
We have used NC Autocode, MasterCam, ect...
Last one I used was OneCNC...
They all do basically the same thing...
Biggest issue is support and price...
I've been using Auto Cad since 88 v 9...
Been teaching it since 94...
AutoDesk has had to incorporate their modeling packages with their 2-D to compete with Solid Works, Solid Edge, ect...
Google sketch up is a really good free 3-D program...

Luremaker · Oct 1, 2012

Shield Arc said:
Easy enough on Windows, not so easy on Linux.

Almost every Linux distribution includes the photo editor called "GIMP". Gimp includes an excellent screen grabber utility. Grab any screen and save the image to any image format you like including jpeg.

GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program

Scooby074 · Oct 1, 2012

sdkubota said:
Software companies and especially Autodesk sue unlicensed users routinely for hundreds of thousands of dollars. I have over $20k invested in Autodesk and Carlson and would never risk having any non-licensed copies of software. They write the software code today where your computer will rat you out. My $ 0.02

Exactly.

In this case it appears that Autodesk is allowing legitimate downloads for educational purposes IF you meet the requirements. They even are allowing you to download and educate yourself if your a veteran or unemployed from the manufacturing industry. Again, generous, especially the second part.

This is in stark contrast to how it was when I was trained in Acad. I wanted a copy to take home to do homework and get ahead of the class. That was strictly forbidden.

Turbys_1700 · Oct 1, 2012

Scooby074 said:
Exactly.

In this case it appears that Autodesk is allowing legitimate downloads for educational purposes IF you meet the requirements. They even are allowing you to download and educate yourself if your a veteran or unemployed from the manufacturing industry. Again, generous, especially the second part.

This is in stark contrast to how it was when I was trained in Acad. I wanted a copy to take home to do homework and get ahead of the class. That was strictly forbidden.

The educational versions that we use here will watermark any printed copy that states Educational Version...
Autodesk has allowed students free downloads for several years now if they provide their school e-mail...
I think that the software is good for 1 year???
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...

Scooby074 · Oct 1, 2012

Turbys_1700 said:
The educational versions that we use here will watermark any printed copy that states Educational Version...
Autodesk has allowed students free downloads for several years now if they provide their school e-mail...
I think that the software is good for 1 year???
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...

I believe that the software this thread is discussing watermarks prints as well.

When I last had Acad training, it was well over 12 years ago. It seams that they have loosened up their educational licensing considerably.

Dont get me started on licensing for Office Student and Teacher. That was a NIGHTMARE. That software was some of the most pirated and license abused Ive ever seen.

Turbys_1700 · Oct 1, 2012

Scooby074 said:
I believe that the software this thread is discussing watermarks prints as well.

When I last had Acad training, it was well over 12 years ago. It seams that they have loosened up their educational licensing considerably.

Dont get me started on licensing for Office Student and Teacher. That was a NIGHTMARE. That software was some of the most pirated and license abused Ive ever seen.

No doubt that many folk would steal a copy from their company to use at home...
AutoDesk and Microsoft would love to go to a subscription service deal but a lot of schools have bucked at that notion...
We have over 65 seats here and it is quite expensive updating with each version...
I think that the educational upgrade per version is around $300 per seat...
Not chump change...
That is every year...
I started in 88 with version 9 using dos...
I'm and oldie...

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.