Software Purchasing Resources

Below is a list of applications that UTSOA students use. Some of these programs are supported or required for UTSOA courses, others aren't. For information about training, visit Software Training and Tutorials


FunctionNameUTSOA LabsPC OnlyHow Students Use ItStrengthsWeaknessesCost StructureLink
Non-DesignArcGISYesYes


FreeArcGIS Online is free for UT students at UT. UT Libraries has a great wiki page with detailed instructions. They also have tutorials for research-related GIS tasks. Once you set up your ArcGIS Online account, you can install the ArcGIS Pro desktop applications. They can be downloaded here. 
ClimateStudioYesYesSimulating daylight, electric lighting, and conceptual thermal loads

Free for Education

Rhino plugin. E-mail trig@utexas.edu for the license key. Licenses are valid for up to 7 days at a time.

Google Earth ProYesNoExploring site conditions and contexts

Download high-resolution satellite images


Freehttps://www.google.com/earth/versions/#download-pro
Microsoft o365YesNo


FreeLog in with your EID credentials
Microsoft Windows 10YesYes


$19.99https://store.hied.com/item/Microsoft/WAH+Windows+10/1605667 (requires a login in here first). We don't recommend running Boot Camp on a Mac to use Windows. Virtualizing Windows on a Mac is possible but requires the user to be technologically savvy enough to support it.
RYesNoStatistical computing

Freehttps://www.r-project.org/
SPSSNoNoStatistical computing

$92.99/yr

https://store.hied.com/item/IBM+SPSS/IBM+SPSS+Statistics/1693258

CAD Modeling




Rhino 3D

YesNo

Iterative massing models

Model complex geometry, like curved surfaces

Easily create 2D drawings

Highly Accurate, versatile, includes parametric functionalitySomewhat difficult to learn

Perpetual Education/Commercial* License - $195 (per version)

* There are no usage limitations on this license. It is the same as the full commercial version and never expires.

If you would like to upgrade a previous license earlier than this, you can do it directly through McNeel for $95 through this link. For proof of eligibility, you can access and save your tuition bill receipt from this link.

SketchupNoNo

Quickly model

Share models with students in other disciplines/students without subscriptions to paid software

Easy to Learn, quick

Entourage from 3D Warehouse easily enlivens models

Files can be accessed online with any computer with a free web-only version

Imprecise, slow when files get large

Yearly Ed. Subscription - $55

Free web-only version (limited functionality)

https://www.sketchup.com/plans-and-pricing/sketchup-studio-for-higher-education

https://www.sketchup.com/plans-and-pricing#for-personal

AutoCADYesNo

Create 2D drawings

Import and export to a variety of other software

Closest to drawing lines on paper, industry standard for 2DSomewhat difficult to learnFree with Ed. Accounthttps://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software
Fusion 360YesNoMostly used to model for industrial manufacturing processes like CNC or 3D PrintingEasy to create models using variablesHard to make non-industrial looking productsFree with Ed. Accounthttps://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/students-teachers-educators?mktvar004=668081&internalc=true
3DS MaxYesYesRendering and animation

Robust material editing ability

Integrates with other Autodesk Applications

Difficult to learnFree with Ed. Accounthttps://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software
NetfabbNoYesTesting and repairing 3D CAD files

Free with Ed. Accounthttps://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software
BIMRevitYesYes

Model at a greater technical resolution than Rhino, with embedded materials and thicknesses

Automatic generation of organized 2D drawings

Industry-standard

Large library of standard building components

Manages collaboration on a single model

Not conducive to loose massing modelingFree with Ed. Accounthttps://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software
Rendering



V-RayYesYesRender light, and sometimes materials, for perspectives and 2d drawings

Good initial results only get better with additional adjustments

Ample materials included

Available online

Requires a lot of computer powerYearly Ed. License - $99https://www.chaosgroup.com/education/students
EnscapeYesYesInstant rendering plugin for Rhino, Revit, and SketchUpFast, real-time rendering will good initial resultsOversaturated at timesYearly Ed. License - $149https://enscape3d.com/educational-license/
LumionNoYesThis software has never been required in any UTSOA courses and it isn't installed on any UTSOA computersVast compatibility with modeling software

Requires a lot of CPU & GPU power

Free with Ed. Account

https://lumion.com/students.html

GPU scoring a G3DMark of 7,000 or higher with up-to-date drivers. (Such as the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650, Quadro K6000, AMD Radeon RX 470 or better)

BlenderNoNo
Professional grade, open-source 3D modeling for freeDifficult to learnOpen Sourcehttps://www.blender.org/
ArchVision RPCNoYesPopulate your renderings with entourage

Yearly Ed. License - $99https://archvision.com/shop/archvision-rpc-software-edu/
Raster Graphic Editing


Adobe PhotoshopYesNo

Powerful functionality, from quick touch-ups on drawings to adding layers of depth to renders

Link to other Adobe programs for seamless editing

Industry-standard

Lots of educational material is available

ExpensiveYearly Creative Cloud Subscription - $199.95

https://campuscomputer.com/campuscomputer/
Sign in with UT ID and search for adobe

Affinity PhotoYesNoAlternative to Adobe Photoshop

Similar to Photoshop

Often on sale

Perpetual license

Missing some of the "smart" features of PhotoshopPerpetual License - $25-50https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/
GIMPNoNo
Free, open-sourceSignificantly different than the industry standardOpen Sourcehttps://www.gimp.org/
Procreate (iPad)NoNo
Intuitive, mobile, able to edit .PSDApple SpecificApp Store - $9.99https://apps.apple.com/us/app/procreate/id425073498
Vector Graphic Editing


Adobe IllustratorYesNo

Assign lineweight to drawings exported from Rhino, Revit, AutoCAD, etc.

Link to other Adobe programs for seamless editing

Industry-standard

Lots of educational material is available

ExpensiveYearly Creative Cloud Subscription - $199.95https://store.hied.com/item/Adobe/Creative+Cloud+for+Education/1880707 (requires a login in here first)
Affinity DesignerYesNoAlternative to Adobe Illustrator

Similar to Illustrator

Often on sale

Perpetual license


Perpetual License - $25-50https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/designer/
GIMPNoNo
Free, open-sourceSignificantly different than the industry standardOpen Sourcehttps://www.gimp.org/
InkscapeNoNo
Free, open-sourceSignificantly different than the industry standardOpen Sourcehttps://inkscape.org/
Document Layout Editing

Adobe InDesignYesNo

Combine drawings into boards for reviews

Portfolio design

Link to other Adobe programs for seamless editing

Industry-standard

Lots of educational material is available

ExpensiveYearly Creative Cloud Subscription - $199.95https://campuscomputer.com/campuscomputer/
Sign in with UT ID and search for adobe
Affinity PublisherYesNoAlternative to Adobe InDesign

Similar to InDesign

Often on sale

Perpetual license


Perpetual License - $25-50https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/publisher/
Microsoft PublisherNoNo
Included with Microsoft o365, simpleSomewhat clunky interfaceFree through UT o365 Access

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/publisher


Updated August 2020