5/7/2018 Free Engineering Software for Students > ENGINEERING.

com
There are typically two ways students can access free engineering software.

Academic Institution Software Licenses

Along with the licensing agreements universities already require in order to o er

software on the machines on campus or in computer labs, many institutions arrange

an additional central licensing agreement that allows students and faculty to download

software to their personal machines. This is often purchased and downloaded, or

downloaded for free with a license key, through your school’s campus IT services or a

campus-operated online storefront.

These software agreements usually involve a limited-term license (such as per year or per semester) and require registration through your school’s academic IT service

department. This is to con rm your student status and eligibility for the software as well as to receive any license code or key needed to authenticate the download.

These student licenses are usually for academic, non-commercial use only.

Individual Download Through the Software Vendor

On the other hand, many companies have started to o er their free student software versions directly through their own websites. This still requires users to register in order to

prove their eligibility, typically by using an academic email address, student ID number, an access code from your school’s IT services or other proof of enrollment in a college or

university program.

License terms can vary, but these student versions are most often on a per-semester or per-school-year basis and require renewal with your student credentials at the end of the

license term in order to keep using the software. These licenses are also almost always limited to academic and non-commercial uses.

How and Where Can I Get This Software?

Not all the software listed below is available for free; some licenses are only available for purchase at a discounted student price. As a general rule of thumb, check with your

school’s campus or department IT services rst to see what software you can access for free or at a discount through your institution. Chances are good that many, if not all, of

your software needs will be covered by bulk academic licenses.

For other programs you want or need, we’ve compiled a list of free and discounted student software resources for a wide range of engineering design, simulation and product

development needs.

Company Software Applications Download Links

Altair HyperWorks 14.0 Student Edition Student edition based on the HyperWorks Desktop. Applications for modeling and visualization, analysis, http://www.altairuniversity.com/get-the-free-hyperwor
performance data management, mathematical modeling and conceptual design. ks-14-0-student-edition/ (http://www.altairuniversity.c
om/get-the-free-hyperworks-14-0-student-edition/)

ANSYS ANSYS Student | AIM Student Software for simulation and design. Includes problem-size, limited versions of ANSYS Mechanical, ANSYS http://www.ansys.com/Student (http://www.ansys.co
CFD, ANSYS Autodyn, ANSYS Workbench, ANSYS DesignModeler and ANSYS DesignXplorer. The m/Student)
current release is 17.0 and has the following problem size limits: Structural physics - 32,000
nodes/elements, Fluid physics - 512,000 cells/nodes

ANSYS SpaceClaim Student Edition 3D solid modeling for creating, editing and repairing geometry in files from any source. Prepare 3D designs http://www.spaceclaim.com/en/Company/Licenses.a
for prototyping, analysis and manufacturing. Check if your school has an academic license. Can also be spx (http://www.spaceclaim.com/en/Company/Licens
purchased through the vendor. es.aspx)

Autodesk Fusion 360 3D CAD, CAM and CAE for product development. Combines industrial and mechanical design, simulation, http://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/stude
machining and collaboration tools from concept through production. nts-teachers-educators (http://www.autodesk.com/pr
oducts/fusion-360/students-teachers-educators)

Autodesk AutoCAD Design tools for 3D design, documentation and cloud collaboration, including a mobile app to access http://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/au
designs anytime. tocad (http://www.autodesk.com/education/free-soft
ware/autocad)

Autodesk Revit Built for Building Information Modeling (BIM) for architecture and infrastructure design and construction. http://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/re
Offers the functions of all Revit disciplines (architecture, MEP, structure) in one interface. vit (http://www.autodesk.com/education/free-softwar
e/revit)

Autodesk (Misc.) Autodesk also offers a wide range of their other software packages under educational licenses as single http://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/all
programs and bundled software suites. Check out the link for the full list of available software. (http://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/al
l)

Bentley Academic SELECT Software Portfolio A wide range of software is available through Bentley's StudentServer, covering civil engineering and https://www.bentley.com/en/learn/for-students-and-e
design, structural analysis, modeling and visualization and more. ducators/academic-programs/products-academic-sel
ect (https://www.bentley.com/en/learn/for-students-a
nd-educators/academic-programs/products-academi
c-select)

http://apps.bentley.com/studentserver/home/index (h
ttp://apps.bentley.com/studentserver/home/index)

CD-Adapco STAR-CCM+ Student License CFD solver for fluid or solid flow, heat transfer and stress problems involving multiphysics and complex http://www.cd-adapco.com/industries/academic/stud
geometries. Student download includes full version of the software plus access to tutorial and other ent (http://www.cd-adapco.com/industries/academic/
resources. student)

https://www.engineering.com/Education/EducationArticles/ArticleID/13143/Free-Engineering-Software-for-Students.aspx 5/9
5/7/2018 Free Engineering Software for Students > ENGINEERING.com
COMSOL COMSOL Multiphysics Simulation tools for electrical, mechanical, fluid flow and chemical engineering applications and product https://www.comsol.com/comsol-multiphysics (http
development. Includes geometry, equation-based and physics-based modeling, meshing, solvers and finite s://www.comsol.com/comsol-multiphysics)
elements. Check with your campus IT services to see if your school has a COMSOL Academic Server
license available for students.

Dassault Systèmes SOLIDWORKS Student Edition Student edition package includes tools for 3D CAD design, FEA and CEA, kinematics analysis, electrical http://www.solidworks.com/sw/education/student-soft
systems design, technical documentation and more. Paid only, or inquire with your school for an institutional ware-3d-mcad.htm (http://www.solidworks.com/sw/e
license agreement. ducation/student-software-3d-mcad.htm)

Dassault Systèmes DraftSight CAD Software 2D CAD software capable of accessing existing DWG files and creating new files. Free version for students, http://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight-cad
hobbyists and individuals. -software/free-download/ (http://www.3ds.com/produ
cts-services/draftsight-cad-software/free-download/)

Dassault Systèmes Misc. Dassault also offers a variety of other software for classroom and student use, both for free or for a https://academy.3ds.com/en/get-software (https://ac
discounted cost. ademy.3ds.com/en/get-software)

Dassault Systèmes CATIA V5 Student Edition Design software for 3D CAD product design, simulation, analysis and manufacturing. Available for $99 https://academy.3ds.com/en/software/catia-v5-stude
through Dassault's 3DS Academy. Current student promotion to download free with promo code. nt-edition (https://academy.3ds.com/en/software/cati
a-v5-student-edition)

Dassault Systèmes Abaqus Student Edition Finite element analysis tool for structural models up to 1,000 nodes and CFD models up to 10,000 nodes. https://academy.3ds.com/en/software/abaqus-studen
Available for free through 3DS Academy. t-edition (https://academy.3ds.com/en/software/abaq
us-student-edition)

Dassault Systèmes ICEM Surf Student Edition Software based surfacing and styling for Class A Explicit surface modeling, surface analysis and design https://academy.3ds.com/en/software/icem-surf-stud
visualization. $49 through 3DS Academy. ent-edition (https://academy.3ds.com/en/software/ice
m-surf-student-edition)

ESTECO ModeFRONTIER Software for multi-objective and multi-disciplinary optimization. Offers workflow and post-processing tools http://academy.esteco.com/academy/become-memb
for statistical analysis, data visualization and decision making. One-year license available at a student price er (http://academy.esteco.com/academy/become-me
with registration in the ESTECO Academy training and resources community. mber)

Graphisoft ArchiCAD BIM software for architects, designers and engineers to design, document and collaborate on building and http://www.graphisoft.com/learning/education_gsna/s
infrastructure projects. tudents/young_architect_program/ (http://www.graph
isoft.com/learning/education_gsna/students/young_a
rchitect_program/)

Maplesoft Maple for Students Math software to analyze, visualize and solve mathematical problems. Check if your school has academic http://www.maplesoft.com/products/Maple/students/
licensing options to access for free; otherwise, the software can be purchased for $99 for a single student (http://www.maplesoft.com/products/Maple/student
user license through the Maplesoft webstore. s/)

Maplesoft Web Store Student Catalog (https://webst

ore.maplesoft.com/catalog.aspx)

Maplesoft MapleSim Student Edition Modeling and simulation tools for engineering students to build and study realistic designs, system-level http://www.maplesoft.com/products/maplesim/acade
interactions, parameter optimization, sensitivity analysis and other design applications. Your school may mic/ (http://www.maplesoft.com/products/maplesim/a
have an academic license; otherwise the software can be purchased for $99 from the Maplesoft webstore. cademic/)

MasterCAM MasterCam CAM software used professionally worldwide for milling, turning, routing and wire EDM. Applications across http://www.mastercam.com/en-us/Solutions/Educatio
industries from prototyping to production parts. Check with your school to see if academic student access nal-Solutions/Educational-Software (http://www.mast
licenses are available. ercam.com/en-us/Solutions/Educational-Solutions/E
ducational-Software)

MathWorks MATLAB and Simulink Student Suite Bundled software suite including MATLAB, Simulink and ten of the most common add-on products. http://www.mathworks.com/academia/student_versio
Applications for prototyping, testing and running models. May be available free through your school, n/index.html?s_tid=gn_ac_sv_ov (http://www.mathw
otherwise can be purchased for $99 through the MathWorks website. orks.com/academia/student_version/index.html?s_ti
d=gn_ac_sv_ov)

MathWorks MATLAB Student (unbundled) MATLAB software only. Available for purchase $49 from MathWorks website. Check if your school has a MA http://www.mathworks.com/academia/student_versio
TLAB campus license. (https://www.mathworks.com/academia/tah-support-program/eligibility/index.html?s_t n/index.html?s_tid=gn_ac_sv_ov (http://www.mathw
id=gn_ac_sv_lic) orks.com/academia/student_version/index.html?s_ti
d=gn_ac_sv_ov)

MSC Software Adams Multibody dynamics simulation and motion analysis for moving parts, load and force distribution and http://www.mscsoftware.com/student-editions (http://
optimization of mechanical systems. www.mscsoftware.com/student-editions)

MSC Software MSC Nastran with Patran Finite element analysis solver for multidiscipline simulation and modeling. Perform analysis of stress, http://www.mscsoftware.com/student-editions (http://
dynamics or vibration in complex systems. www.mscsoftware.com/student-editions)

MSC Software Marc Implicit nonlinear FEA simulation solution including capabilities for contact, large strain and multiphysics. http://www.mscsoftware.com/student-editions (http://
www.mscsoftware.com/student-editions)

MSC Software Actran Acoustic simulation tool for acoustics, vibro-acoustics and aero-acoustics problems. http://www.mscsoftware.com/student-editions (http://
www.mscsoftware.com/student-editions)

MSC Software Digimat Modeling software for material engineering with mean-field and FE based micro-mechanics for simulating http://www.mscsoftware.com/student-editions (http://
materials and structures. www.mscsoftware.com/student-editions)

MSC Software MSC Apex Computational parts-based CAE software for performing deformation, stress and normal modes analysis of http://www.mscsoftware.com/student-editions (http://
materials mechanics, structural analysis, natural frequencies or mode shapes. www.mscsoftware.com/student-editions)

Nemetschek Scia SCIA Engineer for Students Multi-material structural analysis and design software for BIM modeling in architecture and construction https://www.scia.net/en/forms/free-engineering-softw
engineering. Offers modeling, mesh generator, finite element solving and tools to check for optimization for are-student-license-subscription (https://www.scia.ne
international and national building codes. Free student license subscription for one year term, renewable t/en/forms/free-engineering-software-student-license
each year. -subscription)

OnShape OnShape Free Account CAD platform for product design, operating on the cloud and available for multiple devices. Offers 3D CAD https://www.onshape.com/edu/students (https://www.
modeling for parts and assemblies and easy collaboration with team members. onshape.com/edu/students)

PTC Creo Parametric 3.0 3D CAD software for design, analysis, simulation and product design. http://www.ptc.com/academic-program/products/free
-software/creo-college-download (http://www.ptc.co
m/academic-program/products/free-software/creo-co
llege-download)

PTC Mathcad Express Mathematics software for performing, analyzing, documenting and sharing engineering calculations. Can do http://www.ptc.com/engineering-math-software/math
unit conversion, interactive 2D and 3D result plotting, worksheet integration into PTC Creo models and cad/free-download (http://www.ptc.com/engineering-
present calculations with graphs, text and images in a single document. Free-for-Life license; includes 30- math-software/mathcad/free-download)
day trial of full version PTC Mathcad 3.1, after which license defaults to lifetime access PTC Mathcad
Express, which is a lighter version of Mathcad 3.1.

https://www.engineering.com/Education/EducationArticles/ArticleID/13143/Free-Engineering-Software-for-Students.aspx 6/9
5/7/2018 Free Engineering Software for Students > ENGINEERING.com
Siemens Solid Edge Student Edition Mechanical CAD software for design, producing 3D digital prototypes and other product design applications. http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/acad
emic/resources/solid-edge/student-download.cfm (ht
tp://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/acade
mic/resources/solid-edge/student-download.cfm)

Siemens NX Academic Edition Model products with 3D CAD, evaluate performance with CAE simulation tools, learn machine tool http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/acad
programming and other aspects of product manufacturing. Available through academic campus licensing, in emic/resources/nx/index.shtml (http://www.plm.auto
some cases schools have "loan licenses" for students to use the software at home. Purchase available for mation.siemens.com/en_us/academic/resources/nx/i
$98.95 through several educational online storefronts. ndex.shtml)

SimScale SimScale Community Engineering simulation platform that operates through your internet browser. Performs a variety of analysis https://www.simscale.com/product/pricing/ (https://w
tasks on CAD models, including fluid flow, thermal analysis, acoustic simulation, particle performance and ww.simscale.com/product/pricing/)
more.

Trimble SketchUp Pro Student 3D drawing tool software for architecture and construction, including programming, diagramming, design http://www.sketchup.com/3Dfor/education-students
development, documentation and RFI's. Check with your school if there is a free license agreement; (http://www.sketchup.com/3Dfor/education-students)
otherwise, the software can be purchased for $49 through the SketchUp website.

United States EPA Net Environmental engineering water modelling software. Facilitates the simulations for networks of junctions, https://www.epa.gov/water-research/epanet (https://
Environmental Protection pipes, pumps, valves and storage structures, calculating flow of water, pressures, tank elevations and www.epa.gov/water-research/epanet)
Agency concentrations of chemical species, water age and source tracing.

Wolfram Mathematica Student Edition Technical computing for engineering research and education. Check with your school for an academic http://www.wolfram.com/solutions/education/student
license; otherwise, the software can be purchased starting at $120 through the Wolfram website. s/ (http://www.wolfram.com/solutions/education/stud
ents/)

Wolfram WolframAlpha Free online computation and calculation engine. http://www.wolframalpha.com/ (http://www.wolframal
pha.com/)

For more ways to help you a ord your engineering degree, check out How Will You Pay For Your Engineering Master's Degree?

(https://www.engineering.com/Education/EducationArticles/ArticleID/15854/How-Will-You-Pay-for-Your-Engineering-Masters-Degree.aspx)

Considering an engineering Master's degree?

Find the right program for you with the Master's Discovery Tool!

(https://www.engineering.com/LinkClick.aspx?link=6353&tabid=6137&portalid=0&mid=429)

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