What is it?

(from Wikipedia) Autodesk became best known for AutoCAD but now develops a broad range of software for design, engineering, and entertainment as well as a line of software for consumers, including Sketchbook, Homestyler, and Pixlr. Autodesk’s digital prototyping software, including Autodesk Inventor, Fusion 360, and the Autodesk Product Design Suite, are used in the manufacturing industry to visualize, simulate, and analyze real-world performance using a digital model during the design process. The company’s Revit line of software for Building Information Modeling is designed to let users explore the planning, construction, and management of a building virtually before it is built.

Autodesk’s Media and Entertainment division creates software for visual effects, colour grading, and editing as well as animation, game development, and design visualisation. 3ds Max and Maya are both 3D animation software used in film visual effects and game development.

AutoDesk have a philosophy of providing free access to their software for academic use.

How do I get free software from the site?

Go to the Autodesk Education homepage – http://www.autodesk.com/education/home and explore the site. When you have found what you want to download, you will need to set up an AutoDesk account. Use your @reading.ac.uk address for this (or variant, such as @student.reading.ac.uk). This is important as it will validate you as being eligible for academic use. Once you have done this you will be able to log into the site and obtain software.

Please note that use must be for Educational Purposes only – a definition of this is given here. You should also abide by the various Terms and Conditions on installation and use.