What is AutoCAD?

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AutoDesk now requires all students and faculty to sign up for their own educational account in order to use AutoDesk products. Visit https://www.autodesk.com/education/home and sign up with your MSU Denver email address. When you are in a computer lab on campus, sign in to AutoCAD with this account in order to use the software.

Architects, engineers, and construction professionals use AutoCAD to:

Design and annotate 2D geometry and 3D models with solids, surfaces, and mesh objects

Automate tasks such as comparing drawings, counting objects, adding blocks, creating schedules, and more

Create a customized workspace to maximize productivity with add-on apps and API

For more information, visit Autodesk's website

Quick Information

VENDOR: Autodesk
PRODUCT: AutoCAD
VERSION: 2026
LICENSE TYPE: Free for educational use
REQUIRES VPN: No
PLATFORM: Windows and Mac

Who is licensed to use AutoCAD?

Students and faculty are allowed to use AutoDesk products free of charge after they verify their status with AutoDesk's educational program. Administrative staff members however, are not allowed to use the educational program and must instead purchase a license.

How do I request access to AutoCAD?

For students and faculty, sign up for an educational account through AutoDesk: https://www.autodesk.com/education/home. Use your MSU Denver email address and complete the verification. You will use this account to sign in on the desktop applications.
For staff members, submit a Software Request for University Devices to purchase a license for yourself or your department.

How do I access AutoCAD?

For MSU Denver issued Windows computers, AutoCAD is available to all users to install via the Company Portal. See How do I install software on an MSU Denver Windows computer using Company Portal? for instructions.
For MSU Denver issued Mac computers, AutoCAD is available to all users to install via Self Service. See How do I install software on an MSU Denver Mac computer using Self Service? for instructions.
If you require AutoCAD to be installed in a department lab, please submit a Software Request for University Devices so that we can schedule a deployment.
If you require AutoCAD to be installed on a personal computer, see Autodesk's website for personal use machines. This will require an Autodesk Account and verification of your school status by them.

If you require assistance using the application, please contact your instructor, department tutor, or supervisor for help.

If you experience trouble installing the application, you receive license errors, or you feel it is not running correctly, please submit a Software Issues & Errors request.