ULPT Request: How to get a "student" license for software that is a complete fucking ripoff.
Posted by Fiveby21@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 67 comments
I don't mind paying money for things. But a few years ago, a certain 3D modelling software company was acquired and the new owners have jacked up the prices to a ridiculous level. Oh, and they're all subscription too! Recently it has become $100 a month (they're trying to force everyone to the annual plan, which is still fucking overpriced itself).
So, rather than go out sailing wearing a black eyepatch (and the risks that would involve) I'd rather just buy the student version of this software. (After all, I am learning it, and not using it for professional use). I've already got my old student email active, but I'll need to supply more proof (over the internet).
What's the best way to go about this? I need a transcript, student ID, or "Authorized enrollment certificate".
schimmelA@reddit
using blender should fix all of this
Wonderful-View-3666@reddit
Does your local community college offer any cheap classes you can enroll in just to get a student ID?
Chavarlison@reddit
I pay about $20 per semester for some stupid subject.... most of them is just one weekend day... been a student for years.
El_Cartografo@reddit
A lot of community colleges offer adult ed classes for free that get you an .edu email.
pixel_slayer8bit@reddit
community colleges often have 1 credit art appreciation courses for like $200. gets you student status without major time commitment
Karma1913@reddit
This is worth way more than people realize. Lots of places and subscriptions have student discounts. If you live somewhere with decent transit a year of minimum enrollment + a student pass can be cheaper than any other alternative.
MangaReaperX@reddit
this is smart. community colleges often have like $50 intro to digital art/design classes. you get legitimate enrollment status and can probably learn some useful fundamentals while youre at it
dushan_LK@reddit
What is the name of the software? Is it SketchUp, Autodesk, or Substance? Name it, and I may be able to help.
AlfredFonzo@reddit
Long shot, but if you have a DD214, you can get Solidworks for $20.
Their "prove it" step involved just uploading a picture of it, you can do with that info as you wish. The process was: fill out a form, upload a picture of your separation papers, wait a week until they send you an authorization code. Just search for "veterans license solidworks".
Obligatory: don't steal valor, just software.
Impossible-Car-1304@reddit
I'm a veteran. I'm 100% ok with this guy making a fake DD214 to get a discount on this software. Times are tough right now. I respect that he's trying to pay a little something to the company for their product and not outright stealing it.
Hell, if you have to OP, email the company and tell them the situation. Tell em you're not using it for commercial purposes, that you're in a tight spot financially, and that you're a fan of their product and want to support them. Ask if they have a discount code or something. Will this work? Odds are, no, but they might just give you a discount for asking. If it were my company, I would.
amensista@reddit
Ex British military here and I live in the US. I get military discount just by asking unless it's like a big corporation like T-Mobile obviously i can't prove US military veteran status but still ... I don't feel it's unethical.
We are brothers in arms in any conflict so I don't see an issue
AlfredFonzo@reddit
Yessir, same same. I can't abide the Uncle Mike's tactical wannabe vets, but anything to help get people a better quality of life and fuck over corpos is fine in my book.
Tall-Spinach-4497@reddit
Active duty here, people using military discount online wouldn’t bother me at all. A decent chunk of the civilian jobs out there are more dangerous than most military MOSs. In the case of stolen valor, just the ones who parade around in person almost begging to be thanked are the ones that deserve to be called out
OperatorJo_@reddit
How am I only learning this now wtf. Purchasing damn soon
archer1212@reddit
According to this post a year ago:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Sketchup/comments/kzb0gv/what_is_needed_to_verify_the_student_version/
So, Enroll for a class, buy the 1yr license, then drop the class for a full refund. (minus application fees of course.)
Sounds like it might be worth it compared to the $400/yr for the 1yr of Pro license.
Personally, I would look at free or Eye Patched alternatives before going through the hassle of signing up for a class and then dropping it. But Then again, I did that for Solidworks instead of paying for a maker license so take my advice with a grain of salt.
Also, be cautious. Some educational versions of software will have big ass watermarks and/or limitations on them to prevent people using the educational versions in professional manners. I know solidworks does that for 2D drawings, and 3d files usually pop up with "made in educational version" warnings.
nodray@reddit
Dont waste a university's time. Just grow up and learn to pirate. You're already against subscriptions, somewhat. It is a handy skill. What if kid's can't get in classes cause someone took the last spot?
Fiveby21@reddit (OP)
I am concerned about getting a virus.
nodray@reddit
LEARN to pirate.
Fiveby21@reddit (OP)
I see nobody saying anything on the subject of safety. I'm just supposed to trust that the reputable sites list doesn't have any downloads with viruses?
nodray@reddit
How were you gonna learn whatever program you're seeking? Just let it magically materialize in your brain? Perhaps there are specific subs dedicated to this cause. Perhaps even if the so called safe list is outdated, they at least teach you what to look out for.
Fiveby21@reddit (OP)
I am just concerned about getting a virus.
Peakbrowndog@reddit
If you ever went to college, chances are your email might still work. My 25 year old college email still works-is how I get access to the schools library resources as an alumni.
Fiveby21@reddit (OP)
My email still works but I need other proof.
once_brave@reddit
Just pirate it
Fiveby21@reddit (OP)
I don’t want to risk a virus.
Publius82@reddit
I have never gotten a virus from a torrent. Just don't grab anything brand new from a public site and you should be fine.
hhayn@reddit
Use a VM
raustraliathrowaway@reddit
You are right and the 21 down votes are wrong. The term is untrusted binaries. There is no way to know what's getting installed. The cost of getting a keylogger or something installed is not worth the saving.
MaesterCrow@reddit
Go to r/piracy mega thread
Fiveby21@reddit (OP)
I don't see anything in there on the subject of viruses.
SpaceSick@reddit
It's very unlikely that you get a virus from such a specialized piece of software. You mainly just have to look out for new and popular releases.
If you're really scared, but download BleachBit so that you can remove anything that comes with it. Again though, it is really unlikely that you get a virus if you're using verified sources.
MaesterCrow@reddit
It’s a guide to find reputable sources so you don’t go to Scammy websites trying to look for apps which contain viruses
SpaceSick@reddit
The mega thread is wildly out of date. The majority of those links don't even work anymore.
CaptainBackfire7@reddit
Go to www.4download. net and search
Kyttengyrl@reddit
Vfxmed. Very good. No virus
Fiveby21@reddit (OP)
But how do I know that
etoilenoire45@reddit
You won't get one. It's fine
once_brave@reddit
Skill issue then
jooooooooooooose@reddit
Many Autodesk products are free for personal use... if you'd say the actual type of modeling you want, people could be more helpful.
Worthy-Of-Dignity@reddit
r/Piracy
Aggravating-Exit-660@reddit
Hard to believe a pirated alternative does not exist
Fiveby21@reddit (OP)
I’m afraid of getting a virus
Aggravating-Exit-660@reddit
That's pretty rare
Myystical@reddit
Ok so this genuinely worked for me for the student discount on 7/11. All yiu have to do is open an AI software and tell it to make a picture of a college acceptance letter for a college near you. Look it over and use some editing to fix any errors or even ask the AI to fix some things for you and boom you should have the discount.
SALTYdevilsADVOCATE@reddit
This is your best permanent solution it’s a used license but at 1/4 the cost or less
https://pcsalesonline.com/en/
Quillo_Manar@reddit
Learn a free, open source modelling software like Blender, most of your skills will carry across, just need to learn the keybinds/shortcuts.
Melimathlete@reddit
Onshape
archer1212@reddit
Eh. Blender is a totally different beast. Its not bad, but for certain kinds of modeling its better to use something that is parametric like Solidworks or Fusion360. Like recommending using a Lamborghini to tow a boat.
FreeCAD would probably be the recommendation in that instance. There is a few other freebies that could work, but it sounds like OP wants to stick with what they know and is used in their industry.
Fiveby21@reddit (OP)
I’ve heard sketchup is preferred for interior design purposes. Access to the 3D warehouse is huge
The_Bandit_King_@reddit
student email
Artistic_Bit_4665@reddit
See if anyone you know has those items. Scan them into Adobe (find someone that had a license), and you can edit the actual documents. Orr... someone told me that could be done.
jongscx@reddit
Have you tried OnShape?
Olde94@reddit
Or fusion or blender. All 3 are free options, though blender is a different workflow.
Also FreeCad is starting to be useable
jongscx@reddit
Can you do parametric modeling on Blender now? Last I tried, it was mostly for mesh manipulation.
Olde94@reddit
Nope that’s why i say it’s different. OP never stated if he need Maya or Solidworks so i mentioned both parametric and vertex based
No-Lime-2863@reddit
Man, I don’t even want the software. But now I want to enroll in community college.
But also, just sign up in the name of a student (kid, friend, nephew).
Redneckia@reddit
Sign up for ISIC, it's easy to get in and the card they give you is basically a student id
LiberalAspergers@reddit
Enroll in one class at a community college near you.
jackidaytona6@reddit
You can most likely just apply to a community college and not register for any classes. Get enrolled, email and student ID.
AssDimple@reddit
exactly what I did...probably for the same software.
EatMyPixelDust@reddit
You pirate it because f**k this subscription bullshit.
SpiritedGlass5@reddit
Www.g2a.com
etoilenoire45@reddit
r/piracy
kungfungus@reddit
To quote rhcp "And I'm sailiiiiing"
cmh_ender@reddit
so you need gpt to generate a student id for a college that matches your email address? hint hint
Pristine-Ad-469@reddit
My gf signed up for a yoga class at a community college to get a student email. It wasn’t difficult at all and cost like $50 but saved a couple hundred.
Pretty sure she said she could have withdrawn from the class and gotten a refund but she kinda wanted to do it anyways lol
mjl777@reddit
Become a genuine student at a community college. They have lots of interesting courses to take.