Overview
As of May 2023, Fusion 360 is installed on the CAD Rm Windows machines for academic research or instructional use only. Commercial use is prohibited unless you have purchased a commercial use license from AutoDesk.
As of April 2024, AutoDesk is available via CNF CAD Rm Windows and the subscription based Virtual CAD Rm service for academic research or instructional use. Commercial use (or any other use including work related to university facilities) is prohibited unless you have purchased a paid commercial use license from AutoDesk.
AutoDesk.com Accounts
AutoDesk now requires all users to obtain a license through their home institution and sign in to AutoDesk software via an autodesk.com account. Cornell faculty, students, and staff using AutoDesk for academic research purposes should visit the CUSoftware Autodesk Licensing webpage for more information. For facilities related work, please contact your local departmental IT staff to obtain a paid license.
If you do not have an autodesk.com account, you must first create an account. Academic Research or Instructional users should visit AutoDesk's "Getting started as a student or educator" webpage to verify their academic status and create an account. All other users will need to purchase a paid license through their institution's software purchasing.
Invoking
Use the desktop or start menu icons to run AutoCAD or Inventor. When prompted, sign in to your autodesk.com account.
File Formats
The two main AutoCAD file formats are DWG and DXF .
DXF is an interchange format with a publicly available published specification. If converting between different programs, DXF should be your file format of choice.
DWG is the AutoCAD proprietary format and may be supported either natively or as a best effort by other programs. If natively supported by other programs you are using or if you are staying within the AutoDesk family of products, DWG should be your file format of choice.
Converting to GDS
AutoCAD pattern data can be converted to GDS either with LinkCAD or with GenISys Beamer. AutoCAD designs can be problematic to convert. Please see the "CNF AutoCAD Pattern Data" page for more information.
Versalaser
If using AutoCAD to control the Versalaser, please talk to the tool managers about your design requirements.