Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about buying CAD software from CADvault.
Licensing & Delivery
How fast do I receive my license key? +
After payment, your license key is emailed within 2–10 minutes. For larger orders requiring manual verification, delivery may take up to 2 business hours. You'll always receive a confirmation email with tracking.
Are your licenses genuine? +
Yes — 100%. We are an authorized reseller for every publisher on our platform. All licenses are sourced directly from Autodesk, Dassault Systèmes, McNeel, and others. Your serial numbers are registered in the publisher's system under your name.
What's the difference between a subscription and a perpetual license? +
A subscription gives you access to the software and all updates for a set period (monthly or annual). A perpetual license is a one-time purchase that gives you permanent access to that specific version. Most major publishers like Autodesk have moved to subscriptions only.
Can I transfer my license to another computer? +
Most modern CAD licenses use online activation and can be deactivated and moved to a new machine via the publisher's license manager portal. We provide step-by-step guides for each product. Network (floating) licenses can be used by any machine on your network.
Products & Compatibility
Which software should I choose for 3D mechanical design? +
For professional mechanical CAD, SolidWorks and PTC Creo are the industry standards. If you want cloud-based and lower cost, Fusion 360 is excellent. For high-end aerospace/automotive, CATIA or Siemens NX. Not sure? Contact us — our advisors have used them all.
Does AutoCAD run on Mac? +
Yes — AutoCAD 2024 has a native Mac version. AutoCAD LT is also Mac-compatible. SolidWorks does not have a native Mac version, though it can run in a Windows VM. Rhino 8, Vectorworks, and SketchUp all run natively on Mac.
Can I open AutoCAD files in other software? +
DWG is the dominant CAD format and is supported (with varying degrees of fidelity) by most CAD platforms including BricsCAD, DraftSight, LibreCAD, and Rhino. For 3D data exchange, STEP and IGES are the universal neutral formats supported by virtually all 3D CAD tools.
Pricing & Returns
Do you offer volume discounts? +
Yes. Teams purchasing 5+ seats receive tiered discounts starting at 10% off. Teams of 20+ can receive up to 30% off MSRP. Contact our sales team for a custom quote — we can often beat publisher-direct pricing for multi-seat orders.
Can I get educational or student pricing? +
Most publishers offer free or heavily discounted licenses for students and educators. Autodesk, for example, offers free 1-year subscriptions to students via the Autodesk Education Community. We can also supply commercial educational licenses for institutions. Contact us with your institution's details.
What is your refund policy? +
We offer 30-day refunds on perpetual licenses that have not been activated. For subscriptions, refunds are available within 14 days if you have not downloaded or activated the software. Once a license key is activated, refunds are subject to publisher policies. Contact us and we'll work to find a solution.
Do you accept purchase orders? +
Yes. We accept POs from verified businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions. Select "PO / Invoice" at checkout and upload your purchase order. Net-30 terms available for qualified accounts. Contact sales@cadvault.com to set up an account.