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How do I get a multi-user license for use on a network?

If you need a single license shared between multiple users, a subscription with multi-user access allows available seats to be assigned by a network license server. Subscriptions with multi-user access can only be purchased from an Autodesk sales representative or an authorized reseller.

Can I get my software on a DVD, jump drive, or other physical media?

No. All subscriptions purchased online from Autodesk are fulfilled through your Autodesk Account, where you can download install files and access cloud services. The option to purchase and ship a physical copy of Autodesk software is not available. See Download Software and Access Services for information.

Can I have multiple users on one subscription?

Subscriptions sold online are single-user access—a single named user can access, activate, and use each subscription seat. Users cannot share a single seat, but you can subscribe to more than one seat with a single purchase. You can then assign each seat to a different user.

If you need a single license shared between multiple users, a subscription with multi-user access allows available seats to be assigned by a network license server. Subscriptions with multi-user access can only be purchased from an Autodesk sales representative or an authorized reseller.

Do I need to connect to the Internet to use my subscription software?

You don’t need to be online to use your software. The software runs on your computer, not on the web. You do, however, need to connect to the Internet every 30 days to verify that your subscription is still current. An Internet connection is needed initially to install and activate your software, and if you have cloud services, you need to be online to access cloud-based tools.

Can I install my software on multiple computers?

Your subscription software can be installed on more than one computer. However, only the named user can sign in and use that software on a single computer at any given time. Please refer to the Software License Agreement for your specific product for more information.

If you need a single license shared between multiple users, a subscription with multi-user access allows available seats to be assigned by a network license server. Subscriptions with multi-user access can only be purchased from an Autodesk sales representative or an authorized reseller.

Where can I download installation files and access cloud services?

All orders placed directly with Autodesk online are fulfilled through your Autodesk Account, where you can download install files and access cloud services. You must sign in with the email address of the account used to subscribe to the product or an account with access assigned by an administrator.

How do I access and set up my products after subscribing?

After we process your payment, we send you an email with information about signing into your Autodesk Account to access your software. If you don't receive information about accessing purchases within a few minutes of ordering, check your email spam or junk folder or contact us for assistance.

You must sign in to your Autodesk Account using the email address of the account used to subscribe to the product or an account with access assigned by an administrator. If you sign in and don't see your software or you need assistance signing in to the correct account, please contact support.

Learn more about downloading, installing, and activating your software.

Do I have to update my software every time new features are released?

No. Software updates are optional and not automatic. You can continue to use your current version without updating or switching when a new version is released.

New product versions are independent of one another and are not add-ons to previous releases. You can install different versions side by side and use them at the same time to get familiar with new features.

Autodesk may release product enhancements (service packs, add-ons, and extensions) for your product version to provide access to security updates, product features and extensions, and new technology planned for future versions. You can choose which updates you wish to install.

What benefits do I get with my Autodesk subscription?

Here’s a summary of the main benefits:

• Flexible term lengths—Get exactly the software you need for as long as you need it. Subscribe monthly, annually, or for multiple years.
• Support—Direct support with an Autodesk specialist via online chat, phone, and email, including the option to schedule a call. Also included is remote desktop assistance, API support, and online resources such as knowledge base, tutorials, training videos, and community support forums.
• Access to the latest software—Get instant access to the latest releases and enhancements whenever you choose.
• Access previous versions—Download and use previous releases.
• Administrative tools—Simply and effectively manage software licenses, seats, and usage from your Autodesk Account.

Learn more about subscriber benefits.

How do I download a free trial?

Select Free Trial on any Autodesk product page or visit Autodesk Free Trials for information about downloading and using our software and services on a trial basis. For most products, you can download, install, and use full versions for up to 30 days free of charge. After your trial ends, you can start a subscription and activate your software without the need to reinstall.

Will you email a reminder before my subscription automatically renews?

Yes, for annual and multi-year terms, we send an email reminder before your automatic renewal date. We do not send an email reminder for monthly renewals.

How do I convert my free trial to a paid subscription?

Launch your trial software and click Subscribe Now on the trial screen or visit the product’s Subscribe page. When buying your subscription, enter the same email address and password combination you used to sign in to your trial. Subscription activation varies by product. In some instances, your software is activated automatically after purchase. Other products require you to enter a serial number from your Autodesk Account.

Learn more about converting a trial to a paid subscription.

Can I buy a stand-alone (perpetual) license?

No. Autodesk software and services are available via subscription only. We no longer sell standalone (perpetual) licenses. Learn more about subscriber benefits.

How do I cancel my order or get a refund?

You can cancel your subscription anytime—or within 30 days of purchase for a full refund—for any product or service purchased online through Autodesk. Contact us to request a refund after purchase. You can also edit your renewal setting from your Autodesk Account page, so your subscription does not automatically renew. You’ll have full access to your software and services until your subscription expires.

How do I activate my software?

Subscription software is activated when an authorized named user signs in after the software is launched for the first time. If your software also requires a serial number, that activation information appears in your Autodesk Account at manage.autodesk.com and is often entered automatically during installation. You must have an active Internet connection to activate and use subscription software.

How do I stop auto-renewal or cancel my subscription?

Sign in to manage.autodesk.com, select Billing & Orders, click Edit Payment, and turn off auto-renew. Your subscription details will then list an expiration date instead of a renewal date. Your subscription remains active until the expiration date.

Where can I find prices for subscriptions to Autodesk products?

Visit the Subscribe tab on any Autodesk product page to see pricing for monthly, annual or multi-year subscriptions.

Can I buy a subscription for someone else to use?

Yes. Sign in to the Autodesk Account used to subscribe to the software and click the Users icon. You can then enter the other user’s email address to assign software access and send an invitation to download and install software from Autodesk Account. For more information, see Managing Users and Permissions.

Do you accept purchase orders for subscriptions to Autodesk products?

Valid payment methods for subscriptions purchased from the online store include major credit and debit cards and PayPal. If you need to subscribe to Autodesk products and services using an alternative payment method, please visit the Autodesk Financing page or contact an Authorized Autodesk Reseller for information about additional options for subscribing.

Can I extend my free trial period?

You can use most Autodesk products on a trial basis for 30 days. After your trial expires, you cannot extend the trial period. You must subscribe to continue using the software. For short-term needs, you can purchase a monthly subscription and turn off automatic renewal to limit the length of the paid subscription to one month only.

Which countries have online stores for subscribing to Autodesk products?

See our full list of Autodesk Online Stores for information about available currencies and eligible ordering locations.

Do you offer subscriptions for students, educators and educational institutions?

Students, teachers, and academic institutions worldwide are eligible for free access to Autodesk software for 3 years. Yes, free. We genuinely believe in education. Learn more and download software in the Autodesk Education Community.

How do I change my credit card or billing information?

Sign in to manage.autodesk.com and click Billing & Orders to access payment settings for all your subscriptions. Card numbers and expiration dates for existing payment methods cannot be edited. To update an existing card, enter it again as a new payment method.

How do I renew my subscription?

If you subscribed online, your subscription automatically renews when your contract expires. The cost of your new subscription term is charged using the payment method and renewal date listed in your Autodesk Account.

If you have a subscription that doesn’t renew automatically, you can find your renewal information by clicking on the subscription or contract in the Billing & Orders section of your Autodesk account.

Can I subscribe for only one month?

Yes. Select Monthly for your subscription term when you make your purchase. After your order is complete, visit manage.autodesk.com, locate your order in the Billing & Orders section, and click Edit Payment to turn off auto-renew. Your subscription will remain active until the end of the current billing cycle.

How do I change my subscription to a different term or product?

For subscriptions purchased online, you can change products or the length of your subscription by turning off automatic renewal and letting your current subscription expire. You can then purchase a new subscription for the desired product and subscription term.

How many versions of my software are available for download?

If you have an active subscription to the current version, you can access previous versions through Autodesk Account. In most cases, you can download the current version and the 3 previous versions. To see your available versions, sign in to manage.autodesk.com.

Do you have a viewer for sharing projects?

Yes. Free viewers are available for most Autodesk products and file types to allow you to share and view projects without requiring full versions of our software products. Visit the Autodesk Viewers page for information.

How can I get an invoice for my purchase?

When you subscribe to software or services online or pay for renewal of your subscription, we send you an order confirmation email message that also serves as your receipt. You can access and print a copy of this receipt in the Billing & Orders section of your Autodesk Account.

How do I change the currency prices are listed in?

The currency displayed while ordering is determined by your location and which online store you visit. See our full list of Autodesk Online Stores for information about available currencies and ordering locations.

How do I find a local reseller?

See our Reseller Center to find an Autodesk Authorized Reseller near you.

How do I get the current promotional discount on my software?

If you have a promotion code for a subscription to Autodesk software or services, enter it during checkout to take advantage of special offers on eligible orders. See our Promotion Center for information about current special offers.

I bought the wrong product, how can I correct that?

For subscriptions purchased from our Autodesk online store, you can request a full refund within 30 days of the initial purchase. Visit www.autodesk.com/returns to contact us and request a refund. Please have your order confirmation email message available to help us process your request. See Returning Orders, Receiving Refunds and Restarting Subscriptions for additional information about returning subscriptions purchase from Autodesk or Authorized Autodesk Resellers.

What discounts do you offer on subscriptions to Autodesk products?

See our Promotion Center for information about current special offers on subscriptions to Autodesk products.

Do you have special discounts for not-for-profit organizations?

Yes, here are some sources for Autodesk software and services for non-commercial use:

Students and educators— Students, teachers, and academic institutions worldwide are eligible for free access to Autodesk software for 3 years. Yes, free. We genuinely believe in education. Learn more and download software in the Autodesk Education Community.

Government customers— Autodesk offers special purchase programs for federal, state, and local governments within the U.S. Contact a reseller that supports government purchases.

Nonprofit Organizations—The Autodesk Technology Impact Program donates software to nonprofits that use design to address epic challenges. If you work for a nonprofit that is actively engaged in designing a better world, you may be eligible for this program.

Where can I find system requirements for Autodesk software?

System requirements are listed on the product pages on Autodesk.com and are also available on the Autodesk Knowledge Network.

How do I add users to my subscription?

If you purchased a subscription with one or more copies of your software and services and need to assign access to other users, see Managing Users & Permissions for information. If you need additional copies of your software and services for new users, you need to start a new subscription. Existing subscriptions purchased through the Autodesk online store cannot be changed to add access for additional users.

How do I install software when my firewall blocks the installation?

If your firewall settings interfere with download and installation of Autodesk products, you can add autodesk.secure.force.com as an authorized or trusted site. See our installation troubleshooting resources on the Autodesk Knowledge Network for additional options.

What happens if I don't pay my subscription payment?

If you allow your subscription to expire on the renewal date without payment, you lose access to all software and services associated with that subscription. Expired subscriptions cannot be restarted. If you wish to retain access to your software and services after a subscription expires, you need to purchase a new subscription.

You can access files uploaded to your 25GB cloud storage allocation for 30 days after the subscription end date. After 30 days, your storage allocation will be reduced to 5GB and any files that exceed that storage limit may become inaccessible.

If a .dwg file was created on Windows, can I open it on a Mac?

Yes. Autodesk file types are not specific to the operating system you use. If your Autodesk software is compatible with the .dwg file version you want to open, it does not matter if the file was created using the Windows or Mac OS version of your software.

Can I access my software after my subscription expires?

No. Your subscription must be active for you to run software or access cloud services. If your subscription ends and your product is no longer active, you can still access, view, and share your projects using our free viewers.

On which day of the month will my subscription renew?

Your subscription contract begins on the date that you make your purchase. Monthly subscriptions renew automatically on or near the same date each month. You can view your upcoming renewal date and payment amount under Billing & Orders in your Autodesk Account at manage.autodesk.com.

Where do I enter my promotion code?

You’ll find the Promotion Code box in your shopping cart after you’ve added products and services. By entering a promotion code and clicking Apply, you’ll verify that the promotion applies to items in your cart and see the discount listed before you enter your payment information.

Where can I verify that my renewal was cancelled?

You can view your subscription status on the Billing & Orders tab in your Autodesk account. If you turned off auto-renewal, you’ll see an expiration date listed instead of a renewal date.

What is the difference between AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT?

AutoCAD LT is ideal for 2D design, drafting, and drawing. It contains essential tools for 2D drafting without the complications of 3D modeling.

AutoCAD contains advanced tools for 3D modeling and rendering, customization (API, centralized libraries, sheet sets, add-ins, LISP, VB), parametric modeling (drawing geometry changes when you change the value of a dimension), standards checking, and data extraction.

Compare AutoCAD vs. AutoCAD LT

What are my options for subscribing to AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT?

You can subscribe to AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT individually. You can also get them bundled with other Autodesk software.

AutoCAD is included in the Product Design Collection and Architecture, Engineering & Construction Collection, along with other essential Autodesk software and services at an attractive price.

AutoCAD Inventor LT Suite combines AutoCAD LT together with Inventor LT at a great value. AutoCAD Revit LT Suite provides the 3D BIM tools of Revit LT, plus the 2D drafting tools of AutoCAD LT, in a single, more cost-effective package.

We also offer AutoCAD tailored to your work: AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Electrical, AutoCAD P&ID, AutoCAD Plant 3D, AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD Mechanical, and AutoCAD MEP.

What is the difference between AutoCAD, Inventor, and Fusion 360?

AutoCAD is desktop-based design, drawing, drafting, and modeling software widely used in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries to create building plans, service and design schematics, and other layouts that can be represented in both 2D and 3D.

Inventor is 3D CAD software for modeling and mechanical design that allows you to associate individual drawings for parts and assemblies for manufacturing specifications into a complete working model that can simulate operation and performance in 3D.

Fusion 360 is cloud-based CAD/CAM/CAE software designed for mechanical engineers that uses freeform modeling to create true 3D simulations for mechanical design, testing, and manufacturing.

Get access to all 3 tools by subscribing to the Product Design Collection.

Can I use AutoCAD on Mac and Windows with a single license?

Yes. You can use the same subscription user name and password to activate your software on either Windows or Mac platforms. The version years must match, and you need to download and install the correct software for your operating system.

How is AutoCAD for Mac different from AutoCAD for Windows?

AutoCAD products for Mac include much of the functionality of the Windows versions but have a look and feel that is familiar to Mac users and a feature set designed for the Mac OS environment.

Compare AutoCAD vs. AutoCAD for Mac
Compare AutoCAD LT vs. AutoCAD LT for Mac

Which versions of AutoCAD can I use if I subscribe to the current version?

Your subscription gives you access to install and use the 3 previous versions. Available downloads are listed in your Autodesk Account at manage.autodesk.com after subscribing. See also Available Previous Releases for Subscribers.

Which older version file formats are compatible with AutoCAD 2018?

AutoCAD 2018 uses a new .DWG (drawing file) format, providing improvements in the efficiency of open and save operations. AutoCAD 2018 can open and edit older file format versions 2.x and later, and it can save .DWG formats back to the 1998 version (AutoCAD R14).

Which file formats can AutoCAD import from other software?

The AutoCAD 2018 IMPORT command can read the following file formats: 3D Studio (*.3ds), ACIS (*.sat), Autodesk Inventor (*.ipt), (*.iam), CATIA V4 (*.model; *.session; *.exp; *.dlv3), CATIA V5 (*.CATPart; *.CATProduct), DGN (*.dgn), FBX (*.fbx), IGES (*.iges; *.igs), JT (*.ij), Parasolid (*.x_b), Parasolid (*.x_t), PDF (*.pdf), Pro/ENGINEER (*.prt*; *.asm*), Pro/ENGINEER Granite (*.g), Pro/ENGINEER Neutral (*.neu), Rhino (*.3dm), SolidWorks (*.prt; *.sldprt; *.asm; *.sldasm), Metafile (*.wmf), and STEP (*.ste; *.stp; *.step).

Which file formats can AutoCAD export for use by other software?

The AutoCAD 2018 EXPORT command can export drawing files to the following formats for use with other software: 3D DWF (*.dwf), 3D DWFx (*.dwfx), ACIS (*.sat), Bitmap (*.bmp), Block (*.dwg), DXX Extract (*.dxx), Encapsulated PS (*.eps), IGES (*.iges; *.igs), FBX files (*.fbx), Lithography (*.stl), Metafile (*.wmf), V7 DGN (*.dgn), V8 DGN (*.dgn).

Do I need to uninstall previous versions before installing AutoCAD 2018?

You can install different versions of AutoCAD on the same computer, use them side by side simultaneously, and share the same resources such as object libraries.

Your subscription includes access to eligible previous versions, which allows you to install and use more than one version.

Do you have a guide for getting started in AutoCAD?

The AutoCAD Getting Started page helps you learn how to use basic AutoCAD features and provides a wide variety of learning resources. Training and certification resources also are available.

Which Autodesk software do I use to print 3D models?

Autodesk 3ds Max, Maya, Inventor, Fusion 360, and the AutoCAD portfolio are all good software packages for 3D printing. Learn more about 3D printing and compatible Autodesk software.

Which Autodesk products are best for designing household items?

Many Autodesk products can be used for designing household items such as furniture, firepits, utensils, or general housewares.

AutoCAD LT is an economical 2D design option.
AutoCAD, Inventor, and Fusion 360 provide 3D design, drafting and prototyping tools.
AutoCAD mobile app provides a cloud-based drawing experience.

Which Autodesk products can I use to design property renovations, landscapes, driveways, etc.?

AutoCAD LT provides a 2D environment to capture existing conditions, propose new designs, and create as-built documentation. AutoCAD extends the same functitonality into a 3D work space.

AutoCAD Civil 3D automates the process even further by providing tools for grading, cut-and-fill, and stationing.

Revit LT software is a simplified 3D BIM tool that helps you produce high-quality 3D architectural designs and documentation in a coordinated, model-based environment.

Which Autodesk product should I use for building estimating and measurements?

For measuring in the field, BIM 360 Glue is a cloud-based tool for BIM management and collaboration. Navisworks tools enable coordination, construction simulation, and whole-project analysis for integrated project review. Navisworks works alongside AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, AutoCAD MEP, and Revit. Use ReCap™ reality capture software to convert reality into a 3D model or 2D drawing that’s ready for further design.

Which Autodesk product do I use to design pipework to ANSI-ASME standards?

AutoCAD P&ID software helps designers and engineers quickly create and edit piping and instrumentation diagrams with familiar AutoCAD in-context editing tools. AutoCAD Plant 3D design software can be utilized for 3D plant and piping designs to meet a variety of industry standards including AME, ASME, AWWA, and DIN.

Which Autodesk product provides tools for labeling wires and designing IDF closets?

AutoCAD Electrical includes all the functionality of familiar AutoCAD software plus a complete set of electrical design CAD features. AutoCAD MEP helps you draft, design, and document building systems.