TechShop, Inc., the world's first DIY workshop and fabrication studio, is introducing an intense education program in collaboration with Autodesk, Inc., which will provide thousands of dollars in software and training to TechShop members. The program will include free Autodesk Inventor training and a free six-month trial of Inventor software.* The program will begin today and will be available for a limited time and for a limited number of TechShop members. The objective is to show people the power of 3D design software, enabling them to easily design their projects — and then build them using TechShop's advanced machines and tools. With existing locations in Menlo Park, San Francisco and Raleigh-Durham — and San Jose opening soon —TechShop is a member-based DIY workshop where inventors, hackers, hobbyists, tinkerers, artists, entrepreneurs, and arts and crafts enthusiasts go to build the things they have always wanted to make. "Autodesk continues to show they are serious about the Maker community," stated Mark Hatch, CEO of TechShop. "Giving our members access to powerful design software along with introductory instruction on how to use it helps democratize the invention process. Now anyone can design using advanced 3D software and make their dreams on advanced machines such our CNC mills, wood routers, and plasma cutters, as well as our laser cutters and soon-to-be-operational Waterjet." "Combining our powerful 3D design and engineering software with TechShop locations' technical and creative resources is helping to drive the bits to atoms revolution," said Robert "Buzz" Kross, senior vice president of Manufacturing Industry Group at Autodesk. "Helping TechShop members is a great way for Autodesk to support that revolution." Building Your Dreams Just Got Easier Starting Saturday, May 7, TechShop will run several Inventor classes and workshops per week, which will be open and free of charge to all TechShop members in the Menlo Park, San Francisco and Raleigh-Durham locations. Free Classes Include:

• Installation and Guided Tour of Autodesk Inventor: This lecture class includes a short software installation session and detailed demonstration of how to use Autodesk Inventor.
• Introduction to Sketching in Autodesk Inventor: This hands-on computer lab class will teach the basics of sketching, demonstrating techniques of drawing 2D and 3D parts, as well as provide a high-level understanding of the commands and tools available in Inventor and how to use them.
• Assemblies in Autodesk Inventor: This hands-on computer lab class will teach more advanced techniques on how to combine multiple part drawings into assemblies.
• Inventor Workshop: TechShop will also offer an informal, unstructured workshop where instructors and members are available to answer questions about Inventor use or general project design.
• SolidWorks to Inventor Migration: This class will show SolidWorks users how to use Inventor and explain how to move files created in SolidWorks to Inventor.

In addition, Autodesk is offering TechShop members a free* six-month Autodesk Inventor Professional Suite license for personal computer use. Members will be able to learn and use the program on their own computers at home or at TechShop. Members have automatic access to TechShop's high powered 12-core, 12GB memory, nVidia-graphics powered HP Z600 workstations with the Autodesk Inventor Professional to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. *Free product trials are subject to the terms and conditions of the end-user license and services agreement that accompanies the software.