Your data is connected to your Graphisoft ID account, which means that if you forget or want to change your password, it should be done by the Graphisoft ID page. You can follow the guides on the link below:
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We have compiled in this article the most essential and often questions that students and educators might face during the educational license steps.
If you want to learn how to get your Edu License, Install and Activate your Archicad or Renew your Educational License, please check out this article!
GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT EDU LICENSE
What is an Educational license?
The Educational License was created to support Students, Teachers, and Schools on their school projects. They can have the opportunity to engage with BIM Technology at the earliest stage of the profession: during their studies. Architecture schools and academic institutions are entitled to equip their computer labs with the educational version of Archicad.
We offer free access to GRAPHISOFT products – available globally to students, teachers, and educational institutions and can apply for full-year extensions as the person is still eligible.
What is the difference between Archicad Update x Archicad Upgrade?
| UPGRADE | UPDATE |
|
An upgrade is the complete installation of a new version. For example, if you have Archicad 28 installed on your computer and want to upgrade to Archicad 29. An upgrade always means switching to a higher version number. You can upgrade via your myArchicad account. When a button with the inscription "Upgrade" appears in the "My Software" section, you can click on it and request the upgrade. If the button is not displayed, there is currently no upgrade available. You can follow the instructions about the upgrade here: Educational License: Step-by-step - Graphisoft Community. |
An update is about improvements/bug fixes on an Archicad version. For example, you have Archicad 29 build 3001 and want to update it to Archicad 29 build 3200. You can easily find out if an update is available for your Archicad version by starting Archicad > Help (menu bar) > "Check for updates." You'll then be taken to a website that displays all the updates available for your version. You can download them directly for free. To learn more about it, you can check this article: About Archicad Updates - Graphisoft Community. |
Commercial Archicad Trial or Archicad Educational? What should I choose?
| Professional Use (Trial) | Educational Use |
| Anyone can apply with a GRAPHISOFT ID | Available only for Students and Teachers with a valid student or teacher ID |
| Valid for 30 days | Valid for one year and can be extended till the end of your studies free of charge. |
| Full modeling capabilities | Full modeling capabilities |
| Project files made in Trial can be opened with any version of Archicad on any computer. | Educational project files can be opened with any version of Archicad on any computer but have an irremovable "Educational" watermark. |
| The files created during the trial period are equal to a commercial Archicad file. After the trial ends, you can continue using the file without converting it. | Educational project files can be opened with a commercial version of Archicad, in which case Archicad switches to Educational mode, and the watermark will be present. |
| Teamwork (BIMcloud Basic) functionality is available. |
Teamwork (BIMcloud Basic) functionality is available for all the projects shared in an educational mode. |
| PROFESSIONAL USE |
What happens with my license after I graduate?
You can use your Edu license until the expiration date, but only for educational purposes.
If you want to use it for commercial purposes, please purchase a license. In addition, for those who have used the educational edition, contact your Local Contacts – Graphisoft, to check the promotions and availability of a commercial version offered at a special price.
REGISTRATION
What are the requirements, and how can I get an EDU license?
To get your license, you must be a student or teacher with active status at the university.
Learn more about how to get it in this article: Educational License: Step-by-step.
What should contain in the affiliation academic document?
This document should contain the fundamental data about your connection to the educational institution and clearly shows your field of study.
Please upload one of the following types of documents:
- Dated Student/Employee ID
- Class Schedule
- Official letters
- Transcript
The document must include the following:
- Your full legal name
- The name of the educational institution at which you are enrolled/employed
- A date within the current school term
When uploading your document, please ensure that it is in one of the following file formats: JPG, PDF, or PNG. Please note that you can only upload one file.
Why could my license not be approved? What should I do now?
Usually, the license can not be approved when missing or incorrect information or proof of eligibility is not sent, as mentioned above. If you get an email that "Unfortunately, we could not approve your license," don't worry; you can log in to your MyArchicad account, correct or complete the missing information/documentation, and re-apply.
Where can I find my serial number?
You can find your serial number by login on the Free architectural design software — Archicad download & registration (graphisoft.com).
I need an educational license for Archicad 27 or older version.
If you need to work with Archicad 27 or earlier, you need to contact our Educational Licensing Support Team or your local Graphisoft Partner for assistance.
Archicad 27 and older versions can only be used with serial numbers that are valid until 22 March 2027. Serial numbers that are valid beyond this date can only be used with Archicad 28.3.3 and newer versions, for this reason we recommend moving to the latest version of Archicad 28 or Archicad 29.
To see your current Archicad version and build number, go to Help > About Archicad.
Here you can find a table with the serial number compatibility with different Archicad versions:
| Expire date before 23/03/2027 | Expiry date after 23/03/2027 | |
| Archicad 27 & older versions | Compatible | Not compatible |
| Archicad 28.3.2 & older versions | Compatible | Not compatible |
| Archicad 28.3.3 & newer versions | Compatible | Compatible |
| Archicad 29.0.2 & older versions | Compatible | Not compatible |
| Archicad 29.1.0 and newer versions | Compatible | Compatible |
Older Educational License serial numbers are no longer available on our website. In your MyArchicad account, you have access to the current Archicad version as well as the previous one.
You can download older versions at Downloads page.
If you need assistance with the renewal or request process, please contact our Educational Licensing Support Team or your local Graphisoft Partner for assistance.
INSTALLATION/ SETUP
Why is my serial number not working?
If you have trouble activating your serial number, please check this article by clicking here.
I did not receive my serial number.
The serial number is not sent by email. You can always check it by accessing your MyArchicad account.
My educational license is valid but shows up as expired.
To solve this issue, you need to update your Archicad to the latest version.
If you have upgraded to Archicad 28 or Archicad 29, but haven't installed its latest update you will receive an error message indicating that your license has expired.
If you check your MyArchicad profile, you should see the following message:
And when you try to activate your serial number, you receive this error message.
Below is a table showing which serial numbers are compatible with each Archicad version and build. To see your current Archicad version and build number, go to Help > About Archicad.
| Expiry date after 23/03/2027 | |
| Archicad 27 & older versions | Not compatible |
| Archicad 28.3.2 & older versions | Not compatible |
| Archicad 28.3.3 & newer versions | Compatible |
| Archicad 29.0.2 & older versions | Not compatible |
| Archicad 29.1.0 and newer versions | Compatible |
To solve this issue, you need to update your Archicad to the latest version:
- Go to the Download Updates page.
- Verify that the Archicad and language version match the one you have installed.
- Download the update.
- Once downloaded, run the installer and follow the instructions to complete the update.
- If the update process was successful, you should see a verification check mark next to the serial number.
If the issue persists or you need access to older Educational License serial numbers (for Archicad 27 or earlier), please submit a detailed request to the Educational Licensing Support Team or contact your local Graphisoft Partner for assistance.
What language versions can I have installed, and how can I get them?
The language version is connected to the country of residence you choose when creating your Graphisoft ID. For example, suppose you live in Luxembourg, which has more than one official language. In that case, you will get access to the options of Deutschland, French, and the International (English) versions, and each version will have its serial number.
MYARCHICAD.COM ACCOUNT
I forgot my password.
How can I change MyArchicad account email, my country of residence, or my password?
All these changes can be done on the profile page https://graphisoftid.graphisoft.com/#/profile.
You can follow the steps in this guide at the link below:
- To change your country of residence, select from the drop-down list.
- Where can I change my email address
- or password for my Graphisoft ID?
I want a different Archicad language version.
Let's say you are from Spain but just moved to Portugal in an exchange program, and now you need Archicad Portuguese version. To access the language version of your new locality, please switch your region to the desired language region. You can change your region at https://graphisoftid.graphisoft.com/#/profile under Personal details and choose the desired region from the drop-down list.
If none of the tips above could resolve your issue, please contact your local partner directly. On your profile on the MyArchicad webpage > Get in touch. As shown in the image below:
T
Access more information on the Educational License in German and Japanese via the links below.
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