How to Order


1. Check that you qualify to purchase the item you are interested in and place your order through our secure web site. Some products may not be purchased by all academic customers, which will be noted in the product name or on the product page. Before you order, make sure you qualify for the product you wish to purchase by checking the product page and product title. Products with “Retail” in the name can be sold to any Creation Engine customer without submission of academic or nonprofit proof.

2. Submit proof of academic or nonprofit affiliation and reference your order number.

3. Once we receive your proof, your order will be processed! You will receive an email notification from us when your proof is verified, and email updates on the status of your order will follow.

NOTE: We process orders during business hours, Monday – Friday, 9am to 4pm, PST. If you do not hear from us, please check your SPAM or junk folder or request your order status. Orders placed by 12:30 p.m. Pacific Time are processed within one business day for in-stock items.


1. We accept official school purchase orders and offer net 30 day terms.
Our Federal Tax ID number is: 20-2227105
Download our W9 form (PDF format).
If a quote is needed before the purchase order can be issued, request a quote to be sent to you.

2. Please include contact name, telephone number, and email address on the purchase order.

3. Send us your official school purchase order via one of the following methods:
Email purchase order to orders@creationengine.com
Fax purchase order to 650.934.3234
Mail purchase order to:
Creation Engine
425 North Whisman Road, Suite 300
Mountain View, CA 94043


To qualify for academic discounts on the products through Creation Engine, your proof must meet the requirements implemented by the product manufacturer. Some products may not be purchased by all academic customers, which will be noted in the product name or on the product page. Before you order, make sure you qualify for the product you wish to purchase by checking the product page and product title. Below are the general guidelines for academic customers.

Your proof of eligibility must be a document issued by the academic institution with your name, school name, and current date. Documents dated within six months are considered current. Creation Engine retains the right to determine if your proof meets the requirements.

  Definition Current Proof Required
(dated within six months)
STUDENTS University and College Students — Must be enrolled at an accredited public or private university or college that grants degrees requiring no less than the equivalent of two years of full-time study
K-12 Students
— Must be enrolled at an accredited public or private K-12 school providing full-time instruction
Choose one of the following (must be dated, current proof):
School ID card
Report card
Transcript
Tuition Bill or statement for school term
Authorized enrollment certificate
TEACHERS & FACULTY Must be employed by an accredited K-12 school, public or private degree granting university or college, directly instructing students Choose one of the following (must be dated, current proof):
Faculty paycheck stub
School ID card
Official letter from the registrar confirming current employment
Link to your teacher/faculty listing on official school website
Note: Sensitive information such as pay amounts or social security numbers can be redacted
STAFF Must be employed by an accredited K-12 school, public or private degree granting university or college, school district, or board of education Choose one of the following (must be dated, current proof):
Staff paycheck stub
School ID card
Official letter from the registrar confirming employment
Link to your staff member listing on official school website
Note: Sensitive information such as pay amounts or social security numbers can be redacted
HOMESCHOOL STUDENTS & TEACHERS Homeschooling program which provides K-12 education to a student or students. Choose one of the following (must be dated, current proof):
Acknowledgement from the state or school district of your intent to homeschool
Membership ID to a homeschool association (e.g. Home School Legal Defense Assoc)
Proof of purchase of curriculum
SCHOOLS Accredited public or private K-12 school providing full-time instruction. Accredited public or private university or college that grants degrees requiring no less than the equivalent of two years of full-time study. Choose one of the following:
Have the items shipped to the school address
Send an official school purchase order
Send your staff or faculty academic proof as described above
NONPROFITS 501(C)(3) Nonprofit organizations that are defined by the IRS as section 501(c)(3) qualify to purchase certain products from our site. Nonprofit proof requirements
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES & MILITARY SCHOOLS Government Agencies - May purchase products (marked as Nonprofit/Government)
Military Schools - Accredited institution that is degree granting with a minimum of two years of full time instruction
Choose one of the following:
Have the items shipped to the government agency/school address
Send an official school purchase order
Send your staff or faculty academic proof as described above

 
Policies subject to change. Please email id@creationengine.com if you have questions regarding your eligibility.


Proof described above may be sent by scanning, taking a picture with your smartphone or digital camera, or taking a screenshot from your computer. Proof must be legible and the file types accepted are: bmp, doc, docx, gif, jpg, pdf, png, and tif.

Send your file via:
Upload a photo or scan of academic proof using your computer, smartphone, or tablet
• Email a photo or scan of academic proof including your order number to id@creationengine.com

• Email link to your listing as a faculty/staff member on official school website with your order number
• Fax academic proof to 650.934.3234 with your order number

We do not accept:
• School ID numbers
• Phone numbers or email addresses for your school or teacher
• Academic proof more than 6 months old

Creation Engine retains the right to determine if your proof meets the requirements.


What is the difference between the products offered on this website and the retail versions of these products?
Almost all the products sold on this website are functionally identical to the retail versions. Most exceptions are noted on the product page and are determined by the software manufacturer. The software purchased on our site is a legal copy and is sourced from the software manufacturer. We are an authorized educational/nonprofit retailer for the products on our website.

How do I know I am qualified to purchase an item?
Please see our academic proof page along with the page of the product you wish to order. For nonprofit customers, see the nonprofit page for the list of manufacturers who allow 501(c)(3) nonprofits to purchase.

How do I place an order ?
View all instructions on the How to Order page.

I am having trouble placing an order. What do I do?
If you are having trouble placing orders it could be due to a cookie error. Check to make sure that your cookies are enabled in your browser and then restart your browser. Or use a different web browser. Also, avoid hitting the back button during check out.

How long does it take for my proof to be verified?
We can verify your proof on the same business day during business hours (Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm, Pacific Time).

Can I purchase an item for a family member who is a student/teacher/staff member at a school?
Yes! Place the order under the person's name who has qualifying academic proof, and you my use your billing address and name for payment information.

How do I know which platform I ordered?
Please check your automatic order confirmation email, the platform is included in the name of the product. If it says "Mac/Windows" , that means the software will work on Mac or Windows operating systems. Check the individual product page for the item system requirements.

When will I receive my download order?
Download items on our site are usually emailed the same business day, but some items sent direct from the software manufacturer can take 1-2 business days.

SketchUp Pro users with a non-expired license for a previous version can obtain a free upgrade. Please email your current license information to sketchup@creationengine.com for your free upgrade.



Orders placed by 12:30 p.m. Pacific Time (11:00 a.m. Pacific Time for US Priority Mail) are processed within one business day for in-stock items - we must receive or have on file current academic proof before the order is processed. Product availability is noted during checkout.

Standard Shipping
(
1-5 business days)
within the 48 states
$10 per order
Two Day Shipping
(2 business days)
within the 48 states
$30 per order
Next Day Shipping
(1 business day)
within the 48 states
$60 per order
Next Day Shipping Saturday
(Saturday delivery)
within the 48 states
$90 per order
U.S. Priority Mail

within all 50 states
$15 per order
International
please view policies
outside the 50 states
rates vary
Electronic Software Download
(only available for some items)
delivered via email
no charge
Creation Engine ships all physical international orders via International Priority Mail. International shipping rates vary.
• Orders delivered within California are assessed sales tax (9.0% for deliveries within Santa Clara County, 7.25% for deliveries outside of Santa Clara County). Orders delivered outside California are not assessed any sales tax.
• Next Day Shipping takes one business day for delivery.
• For shipments to P.O. Box addresses, delivery via Priority Mail is the only option.