Everyone, I mean EVERYONE is affected by our current situation. It is overwhelming to support that I am witnessing here.  Autodesk, the makers of AutoCad and a host of other design, CAD and drafting programs stepped up and is offering support to their customers and anyone else that may need access to Autodesk products in these trying times.

More from Autodesk’s announcement:

As Autodesk keeps a close eye on the impact the coronavirus (COVID-19) is having on our industry, we’re continuing to explore the best ways we can support our customers, flex to meet their changing needs, and minimize disruptions to their business during this challenging time.

One of the biggest challenges we’ve been hearing about from customers – and we’re facing this challenge at Autodesk ourselves – involves adapting to work in an environment that has become the new normal: more teams and more people working remotely or from home, creating an increased need to collaborate and stay connected.

To better support customers facing this new reality, Autodesk is announcing a temporary Extended Access Program for several of our flagship cloud collaboration products. Let me be clear: we’re not introducing this program to convert customers into paying users. Our goal, instead, is to get a program up and running as quickly as possible to provide customers increased flexibility in what’s become a challenging work environment. Here’s how the program will work:

• Beginning in the next several days, customers can get free access to select Autodesk products and services.
• Products and services will include BIM 360 Docs, BIM 360 Design, Fusion 360, Fusion Team, AutoCAD Web and Mobile, and Shotgun – all for commercial use.
• Customers can take advantage of this program by visiting Autodesk.com and following the steps they’d normally take to sign up for an Autodesk product trial on our website. We know this will be an imperfect experience in some ways but, as stated earlier, our goal is to give customers access to this program as quickly as possible. Leveraging our existing product trial experience on Autodesk.com is the most effective way to do this.
• Customers can take advantage of the Extended Access Program until May 31, 2020. However, we will continue to evaluate a potential expansion of this program as the needs of our customers warrant.

As more details on the Extended Access Program become available, here are a few resources to consider:

• Visit the COVID-19 Autodesk Resource Center. It’s the best place to stay up to date on the resources our team is providing customers on how to get the most out of Autodesk software, and get useful information on how to get started and remain productive while working remotely.  We expect to share more details in the resource center on the Extended Access Program in the coming days.
• Attend Autodesk Answer Day on Tuesday, March 24th. We’ll have experts on hand to answer your questions about our products and the Extended Access Program – and you can learn more about other ways we’re addressing the increased need to stay productive, while working remotely.

It’s our hope that the Extended Access Program helps our customers better adapt to the challenges they’re facing in light of COVID-19 – allowing their employees to remain productive and connected. And while ‘business as usual’ might seem like an impossibility for now, the team at Autodesk remains committed to supporting you and your business as you adjust in these challenging times.