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AutoCAD for students?
Hey guys,
Last term I got the free student version of VectorWorks 2011 Mac for one of my classes. I'm trying to find a copy of AutoCAD's free student edition (with the watermarks) to use for summer term, but I've had a hard time finding one for Mac. Anyone have any leads into getting one of those?
Thanks in advance.
I would try here:
http://students.autodesk.com/
If you haven't used it yet, bear in mind that AutoCAD for Mac is truly nightmarish to use. Tons of commands are missing altogether (overkill, for example) along with major functionalities (can't edit plot styles, no recovery manager).
It's also buggy as a motherfucker, so you need to save your work constantly because it will crash all. the. time.
ditto the AC for mac. It is horrible. Literally unusable. It is better to use windows on the mac and install the pc version.
Unfortunately I don't have the option of Windows at the moment (had it up until about a few months ago). I'm still pretty new to AutoCAD specifically so I'm not too worried about commands and such... I tried that link for a while yesterday and was only able ot find the PC version for students. Would you recommend I just stick with VectorWorks? Ive heard its far less superior than AutoCAD but maybe it just won't make a difference for my student projects?
Yeah, AutoCAD for Mac is absolutely terrible, to the point that it's worth seeking out a copy of Windows to avoid having to use it. And I usually go as far out of my way not to use Windows as I possibly can.
Are you a student? You can often get drastically discounted copies of Windows from your school's computer store.
I don't know about VectorWorks, but I've had pretty good luck with DraftSight for basic CAD stuff on the Mac.
vectorworks is good software. i like AC better but there is nothing wrong with VW. If you switch to AC later you won't find many similarities so it might be frustrating for awhile but at least you will have some cad experience....
yeah - autocad is free for a couple of years as long as you register with an .edu acoount. that goes the same with other autodesk products.
+1 for draftsight --- it would be better to learn autocad directly if/when possible--- but if it is currently unusable with OS X, then try draftsight. draftsight is free, it is produced by dassault systemes, the guys behind catia, so it is very solid, legitimate software, and importantly for you, it is a great autocad clone, circa late 90's early 2000's, which is still how the heart of autocad works, even today. so if you want to learn 2D drafting in an autocad friendly way, it is an admirable substitute
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