College of Architecture Software Help Sheet

Application Software (items requiring student purchase in bold) 

All Students: 
  • Graphics: Adobe Creative Cloud*
  • Business: Microsoft Office 365*
  • Virus: Cortex XDR* 

 

Architecture Students:
  • Autodesk*: AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, and Revit.
  • 3D Modeling: Rhino 8** 

 Architecture students/guardians may wish to research computer/program compatibility for laptop purchases that do not meet the recommendations in the computer policy. Due to the program software requirements, Apple MacBook Pro laptops are not recommended for Interior Design majors. 

 

Landscape Architecture Students:
  • Autodesk: AutoCAD
  • 3D Modeling: Rhino 8**
  • Lumion* 

*The following software is available for free download: 

**Educational pricing for Rhino 8 at the UNL Huskertech Computer Store on the Huskertech Website

The University of Nebraska prohibits the use of pirated software or digital media. Students may be asked to present proof of software ownership. Students who have pirated software or digital media on their computers will not be serviced and can be reported to Student Judicial Affairs. Students should download and install the software before arriving for the fall semester. 

2026 AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, Revit

For the 2025-2026 academic year, the College of Architecture will continue using the Autodesk Student Software Program, focusing on AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture, and Revit. Students are encouraged to upgrade to the current version every year. 

To obtain software, students are required to create an account with Autodesk on the Autodesk website using their student @huskers.unl.edu email address*. (Student email accounts are accessible from the Office website.) You will need to upload a picture of your UNL student ID or transcript as part of the account creation process. 

*Do NOT use netid@unl.edu as you will not be able to recieve emails to this address.  You will need to use the full @huskers.unl.edu ending for it to work.

Once registered with Autodesk, students will be able to download software installers directly from Autodesk. These installers vary in size from 2.5 GB to 14.6 GB.   

More detailed directions can be found on the Autodesk Student Download Instructions document on the Computer Policy web page. 

 

Rhino 8

Educational licenses for Rhino 8 are available at the UNL Computer Shop located in room 122 of the Nebraska Union (402-472-5151). The educational version is identical to the commercial version, only sold at a discounted price. The license currently costs $95. Huskertech Software Website

Note: The Rhino 8 package purchased from UNL Computer Shop only contains the license code, not the install media. Please use the download link below for the installer. 

Rhino 8 Download Link

Adobe Creative Cloud

The College of Architecture requires several Adobe products for all programs. These products are available for free to all enrolled UNL students. Fill out the form to obtain access to Creative Cloud to install Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Acrobat. Adobe Request Form

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint)

As part of the Microsoft Campus Licensing Program with UNL, Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, etc.) can be installed for free through the Internet email portal after signing in with your @huskers.unl.edu email address on the Microsoft 365 Wesbite

For assistance on accessing your Microsoft products, go to our Microsoft 365 Suite Website or you can contact our Help Desk at 402-472-3970 or nusupport@nebraska.edu 

Effective May 20, 2019, the @huskers.unl.edu email account is the official campus communication for all students for university-related information.