Free

Last month, I wrote an article for the CADSPEED blog describing a great program where Autodesk and Lenovo teamed up to outfit a deserving small business with new hardware, software, and training - at no cost. Yes, you read that right. FREE software, hardware, software, and training. Who? How? When? Why? Check out the article and watch the YouTube videos linked on that page.

So why am I bringing this up again? Because Autodesk and Lenovo are going to do it again! Are you a small business in need of a "Technology Makeover"? Are you running "non-current" Autodesk software? State your case from now until February 23, 2012 on the AutoCAD > Tech Makeover Contest page on Facebook. Your small business could be the next recipient of this awesome deal which includes up to five Lenovo® ThinkStation® workstations and five licenses of the Autodesk® Design Suite software of your choice. Full details and all of the contest rules are available here.

Final winners will be announced on March 22. If you would like to speak with anyone from Autodesk or Lenovo about why they are doing this, leave me a comment and I will put you in touch with the right people. Read more »

This same information is posted at the bottom of my initial review of AutoCAD 2012, but it has proven to be very popular, enough that is deserves its own post. So here are the links to the free trial versions of AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD LT 2012, along with other information.

• Download a free trial of AutoCAD 2012 here. System requirements can be found here also.
• Download a free trial or run a trial online version of AutoCAD LT 2012 here.
• Autodesk's official version of AutoCAD 2012 New Features
• AutoCAD 2012 Official FAQ Document
• AutoCAD 2012 Official Brochure
• Autodesk Unveils 2012 Product Line
• Ellen Finkelstein's AutoCAD 2012 New Features
• AutoCAD 2012: Who Says 2D is Dead?
• AutoCAD 2012 from JTB World

 Read more »

In what has become an annual event, the announcement and launch of the new Autodesk products is here again. Below is a quick summary of some of the new features in AutoCAD 2012.

File Format

• The default file format remains unchanged from the last version, AutoCAD 2010 file format.

User Interface

• The first significant change you will notice is that the ribbon speed has increased dramatically. There is no longer a delay when switching between ribbon tabs. (Thank you Autodesk!).
• The Ribbon contents have been updated, including changes to the Draw and Modify panels.
• Generally speaking, AutoCAD 2012 starts up faster than previous versions.
  

A couple of weeks after its announcement, AutoCAD for Mac is now shipping, and a free trial version is available. Half of the people who took this poll indicated they were interested in AutoCAD for Mac, so here is your chance.

Free Trial

To download a free trial, go to http://www.autodesk.com/autocadformac, and click on Free Trial on the right side of the page. Other links include:

• Overview
• System Requirements
• FAQ
• How to Buy (MSRP = US$3,995).

Free Student Version

Students can download a free version of AutoCAD for Mac from the Autodesk Education Community. For a direct link, head over to http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=mac4students Read more »

Various Cadalyst readers and contributors have helped to compile this list of 100 FREE tools for CAD users. Chances are you will find something in this list that you were not aware of.

Also, the Summer 2010 edition of the print magazine is now available in two custom tailored versions; AEC and Manufacturing. Read more »

Of course if you are stating your own company, they are not going to give you software for free, but if you are a student, unemployed, or just want to give it a test drive, there are ways to get AutoCAD 2011 and other Autodesk software for free. Read more »

Both Autodesk and Solidworks Several companies are offering incentives to the unemployed engineering community.

Solidworks, through their SolidWorks Engineering Stimulus Package, is offering free 3D CAD software, free training materials, free certification, and job leads to unemployed US and Canada residents.

Autodesk, through their Autodesk Assistance Program, is offering free software licenses, free online training, reduced-cost classroom training, and discounts on certification. This offer is good until December 31, 2009.

Bentley has a similar program including software and training.

On a related note, Engineered Efficiency, Inc, is offering free Civil 3D training to "those who have recently lost their jobs".

If you know of any other resources, please add a comment. Read more »

Get your free 30 day trial of AutoCAD 2010 here. If you can't manage the download, you can request a DVD here. Both 32 and 64 bit versions are available. You are free to install it on multiple computers, each with their own 30 day time limit.
Here is my initial review of AutoCAD 2010, from February 5.

Here are some free Autolisp resources including tutorials and sample code:

• ABC's of Autolisp
• Visual Lisp Developers Bible
• Ron Autolisp - Bad link now.
• Afralisp.net
• Hot Tip Harry's latest article on Lisp Symbols
• Tutorials from Lee Mac.com

If you are a student with a valid school issued email address, join the Autodesk Student Community where you can download FREE AutoCAD and other Autodesk software for architecture, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering (educational versions).

If you do not have a valid school issued email, you can invite a faculty member to sign up and they can give you access.

You can also find job postings, discussion forums and product tutorials there.

http://students.autodesk.com/ Read more »