How to access Autodesk software

Option 1 - Use your UCINetID and log into the AutoDesk website

Instructions:

• Log in at https://www.autodesk.com/education/home

• Use your UCINetID to log in

• We will give you access based on major.

• CEE and MAE students will have accounts uploaded prior to the quarter.

• Other Engineering students and non-Engineering majors can request access on a case-by-case basis.

  • • To request access, send email to:  labs@eng.uci.edu

    • Let us know what software you need.

Option 2 - Use Engineering's Network License 

THIS OPTION IS BEING PHASED OUT BY AUTODESK!!

Starting March 2026, the network license will not be available.

These downloads are pre-configured to connect to the license server.

• AutoDesk downloads here

  • • Use your UCI Google Apps account

    • Downloads & licenses available for

      • • Autocad

        • Autodesk Map

        • Autodesk Civil 3D

        • Autodesk Plant 3D

        • Advance Steel

        • Contact labs@eng.uci.edu if there's software you need not on this list

• AutoDesk license server - contact your instructor or labs@eng.uci.edu

AutoDesk Network Licensed Software

Instructions:

1. Download and unzip files. 

2. To install software, right click on setup.exe, select "Run as Administrator".

3. After installing the software, start it.

4. You will be prompted to input network license.

5. Select “Use a network license”, single license server

6. Type in license server (obtain this from labs@eng.uci.edu).

7. Usage is restricted to UCI Network.  You need to connect to campus wi-fi when you're at home, in dorms, or on campus wi-fi.

8. To manually enter license server or change license:

• Go to AutoDesk help (?) select the drop down list.

• Select “About Autodesk”

• Click “Manage licenses”

• Click “Change license type” if you want to change the type you license.

Notes for Instructors

1. Engineering IT staff will upload student accounts to the Autodesk portal before the start of every quarter.

2. Autodesk accounts will be given to:

   1. • CEE majors and non-CEE students enrolled in CEE courses.

      • MAE majors and non-MAE students enrolled MAE course.

      • Other Engineering majors and non-Engineering students on a case by case basis.

3. We are limited to 3000 students per product.  For now, we've separated our user base into separate categories.

4. Instructors and TA's:  

   1. • To get access to software, please email labs@eng.uci.edu

      • Let us know:  

        1. 1. Course number

           2. Software needs

Notes for Researchers and Non-Engineering students

You may request an account and access to software.

1. 1. • To access to software, please email labs@eng.uci.edu

      • Let us know:  

        1. 1. Software needs (which Autodesk software do you need?)

           2. Purpose for using the software

              1. 1. The software cannot be used for commercial research, commercial use, or for facilities.

License use and restrictions

Usage at UCI:

• We are limited to 3000 users per software product. 

  • • Due to demand, we cannot promise access to software outside of coursework, but we will try our best to accommodate you.

• Courses with AutoDesk software as a requirement will be given priority.

• Instructor should email labs@eng.uci.edu to communicate Autodesk software requirements.

• We may revoke individual software privileges at any time in order to support instruction.

• Download privilege is restricted to students, instructors, and IT staff.

• This is a new program and we'll allow qualified use depending on license availability.

• If you do not have a current UCINetID, you will not be given access to our AutoDesk website due to license and usage restrictions.

  • • • If you are doing research work with faculty, please refer to the following page to request a UCINetID

NO FACILITIES WORK IS ALLOWED!!

Autodesk software from our Educational license CANNOT be used for any type of campus or department facilities or facilities management. This type of use is in violation of our license and requires a paid commercial license.  No commercial research.

• More information regarding restrictions at Autodesk

Usage restrictions

The following is from Autodesk's webpage "Software for educational institutions":

Educational access to software and services may be used only for purposes directly related to learning, teaching, and research. They may not be used for commercial, professional, or any other for-profit purposes. 

For more information about eligibility, see Understand eligibility for admins and institutional educators.

Uses not permitted for educational access include:

• Facilities use: Designing, constructing, and maintaining an educational institution's campus physical structures and infrastructure is not permitted.

• Exception: An educational institution may continue to use those specific versions of the software for facilities use if such use was previously granted in a license agreement or a separate agreement.

• Research: Research conducted by any commercial programs or entities operated by or affiliated with the educational institution for a commercial purpose is not permitted.

• Exception: Academic research conducted and published by students or faculty as part of the educational institution's accredited educational programs is permitted.