# What architecture students need.

> An architecture student needs a drawing studio at home (a drawing board, rulers and technical pens), model-making materials and a Windows laptop that runs Revit and rendering. Revit and AutoCAD are free for students, and Adobe has a student discount.

## What architecture students need

- A drawing table or board: with a parallel rule: your studio at home.
- T-square, set squares and a scale ruler: for drawing to scale by hand.
- Technical pens and graded pencils: with cartridge and tracing paper.
- Model-making tools: cutter, cutting mat, foam board, card, balsa and glue.
- A Windows laptop: that runs Revit, AutoCAD and rendering software.
- An iPad with a pencil: for quick sketches (optional).

Model materials run out fast, so buy in bulk from one place. Accessories and tools on student deals are below.


## Best laptop and iPad for architecture students

Revit does not run on a Mac, so most architecture students need Windows. Rendering wants a strong graphics card and enough memory, and a large screen helps when drawing. An iPad with a pencil is great for sketching but does not replace the laptop. More in best laptop for students.


## Free and student-priced software for architecture

- Revit, AutoCAD and 3ds Max: from Autodesk, free for students.
- Twinmotion: architectural rendering, free for students and educators.
- Blender: 3D modelling and rendering, free and open source.
- Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign: for presentation boards, at Adobe's student discount.

And on tiswa, once you verify you are a student:

- Autodesk has a deal for university students in Saudi Arabia: Autodesk software free for students (Free).
- Adobe offers 70% off Creative Cloud Pro, first year to university students in Saudi Arabia for SAR 86.17, 71% less than the regular SAR 293.25.
- Canva offers Canva Pro free through Canva for Campus to university students in Saudi Arabia.
- Figma offers Figma for Education to university students in Saudi Arabia for free.


## Questions

### What do architecture students need?

The basics: A drawing table or board, T-square, set squares and a scale ruler, Technical pens and graded pencils, Model-making tools, A Windows laptop and An iPad with a pencil. Your college's own list has the last word.

### What is the best laptop or iPad for architecture students?

Revit does not run on a Mac, so most architecture students need Windows. Rendering wants a strong graphics card and enough memory, and a large screen helps when drawing. An iPad with a pencil is great for sketching but does not replace the laptop. More in best laptop for students.

### What software is free for architecture students?

Revit, AutoCAD and 3ds Max, Twinmotion, Blender, Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, Autodesk, Adobe, Canva and Figma. Most check that you are a student with your university email.

### What is an architecture student studio?

The place you draw by hand at home: a drawing table or board with a parallel rule, rulers and set squares, technical pens and good light. Most students set it up in year one with the basic design courses.

Sources: https://www.autodesk.com/education/edu-software/overview, https://www.twinmotion.com/en-US/license, https://www.blender.org/