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722 Posts

Max in Mac

Posted 02-Jul-2008 9:27 AM

Hello.
I've searched the forums and didn't find anything related to this.

I'm working on a quadcore macpro, with intel processors.
This allows to use a utility of mac OS Leopard called Bootcamp, that creates a special partition and you can install windows also.

Therefore, I'm now able to use my adobe products in Mac (they actually run better in mac) and max in the PC partition.
However I can use only one at a time. I have to boot in diferent sessions to acess the diferent OS's.

I'm now trying a new software called VMware fusion, that creates a virtual machine in Mac OS and can run Windows in a window or in fullscreen. Pretty cool.

On the down side comes a bigger memeory use, the virtual windows appears only as dualcore and then there's a bug:
this is where I need your help:

As you know, max uses the Control Key to make multiple selections. In Mac OS, the Control key+click is equivalent to Right click in a mouse. So, when I want to make multiple selections in max and hit control+click to start selections, the quad menu appears (as if I pressing the right button in the mouse).

Arrggg! Whyyyyy?

Multiple selections is that one thing that you cannot ignore. So I'm back on rebooting back and forth again.

As anyone been here before?

Thank you very much.

Bidonga

Might3D

Advanced Poster

836 Posts

18 Products

RE: Max in Mac

Posted 02-Jul-2008 11:35 AM

somebody tell me what i am seeing right now !

ARQFAR

Advanced Poster

160 Posts

RE: Max in Mac

Posted 02-Jul-2008 12:55 PM

HEY KIKO, HOW YOU DOING?

MY WIFE IS A MAC USER, IM OBVIOUSLY A PC USER; SHE SAYS THAT YOU CAN ASSIGN TASKS OR FUNCTIONS TO THE FUNCTION KEYS, F1, F2, F3 AND SO ON, MAYBE A MAC USER COULD HELP.

Bidonga Solina

Advanced Poster

722 Posts

RE: Max in Mac

Posted 02-Jul-2008 7:50 PM

Hello Might 3D.

The first image is a max scene running in a window over my Macintosh desktop.

This new image is again my macintosh desktop, but with the VMware Fusion in unity mode. Notice bellow the macintosh dock on top of windows taskbar. There is a window open with mac system preferences and you can see the splash screen of max 2008 starting up.

It's actually pretty cool. I wish I can solve the control key issue.

At the present moment I'm writing this post in firefox (pc), chating in MSN (mac), rendering a packaging (pc) and working in a new layout in photoshop (mac).

Hello Arqfar!
I've posted a plee for help with the software vendor, but still no response. I'll be sure to post it when they do.
I've deactivated the shortcut ctrl+click in mac, but I cannot deactivate the actual ctrl key, or else I won't be able to press it also in windows. I'll try to change the actual shortcut to something diferent like ctrl+alt+click.

Cheers

Bidonga

Bidonga Solina

Advanced Poster

722 Posts

RE: Max in Mac

Posted 02-Jul-2008 8:56 PM

Ok, problem solved. I've found it on the internet:

http://davidhayden.com/blog/dave/archive/2008/05/27/WMwareFusionDisableCtrlClickToBeMouseRightClickMac.aspx

It's done in the preferences of the software.

I really recommend this software. Although it does not provide with quad core processing, it is really useful.

Mac OS is really a lot faster and safer. I'm in the advertising business so i have to deal with graphic design a lot. Using Photoshop and illustrator with big files (500 Mb and more) is twice as fast in a mac.
I'm also a heavy user of max and I don't have the money to buy repeated software for both systems. When comes to mapping you really need Photoshop side by side with max.

A word for the wise:
This software allows you to install windows in a mac and run alongside with Mac OS. Windows is NOT included!
You have to buy a separated copy of windows.
Running 2 operating systems is heavy processing and memory consuming. I've a Quad core machine with 5Gbs of RAM and windows runs a bit slow.

My advise: When comes to render your final work, simply reboot in windows only, and take full advantage of how many processors you have.

Cheers

Bidonga

Caprier

Advanced Poster

589 Posts

RE: Max in Mac

Posted 02-Jul-2008 9:06 PM
Modified by Caprier On 02-Jul-2008 9:09 PM

Hi Bidonga.

There are several 'max-on-mac' users at maxforums.org. They probably can help.

Edit: Ah. Too late.Glad it's solved.

Bidonga Solina

Advanced Poster

722 Posts

RE: Max in Mac

Posted 07-Jul-2008 3:55 PM

Well, I was too fast on recomending the software.

As far as Max goes, forget it.

Max writes his license in a way that mac systems cannot replicate (this is the info from autodesk). So, every few times I rebooted the computer, max asked to activate the license again due to an error. After 10 reactivations, Autodesk does not provide with another license by internet connection.

So now I'm contacting the software vendor to solve the problem. They will issue a new activation code. This is a drag.

Autodesk says it's only possible if it is a network licence, because the license is based in a server, on another computer. Mine is standalone, so I'm stuck on rebooting back and forth with bootcamp again.

Vmware Fusion is a great program, but this issue ends every hope I had of using it.

You can download a free 30 day trial, If you want to try it, but beware of your licensing.

Cheers

TimWilbers

Advanced Poster

222 Posts

RE: Max in Mac

Posted 07-Jul-2008 9:03 PM

When the Intel Macs first came out, we installed Bootcamp on 5 of the student lab computers, then installed XP and finally 3ds Max 8.

They still work, and have never lost a license. But then again, we never tried to run one OS on top of the other. From day one, that just sounded like asking for trouble. If students wanted to use Max, they rebooted.

ARQFAR

Advanced Poster

160 Posts

RE: Max in Mac

Posted 07-Jul-2008 10:18 PM

SO BOOTCAMP IS BETTER THAN VMWARE FUSION?? ARE THESE APPS FOR THE SAME PURPOSE???

Bidonga Solina

Advanced Poster

722 Posts

RE: Max in Mac

Posted 08-Jul-2008 6:10 AM

Bootcamp is a utility that already ships with Mac OS Leopard. It allows you to make a Windows drive in your mac. You can only acess it, by rebooting and choosing what OS you want to use from a boot menu.

Vmware fusion is a standalone software that allows you to install windows in a virtual drive or use the bootcamp drive (if you already set it up) at the same time you use Mac OS. No need to reboot.

What I found out is that Vmware fusion erases the licencing information of max every few times you use it.

Bootcamp does not erase it, but you cannot acess it unless you reboot to PC. As a Mac user, I have all my software in Mac OS. In PC, I only have Max and anti-virus software.

It's boring having to reboot, but I will keep it that way. I'll make my maps in Photoshop (mac) and them reboot to PC to add them to my max scenes.

ARQFAR

Advanced Poster

160 Posts

RE: Max in Mac

Posted 08-Jul-2008 8:12 PM

BESIDES REBOOTING, LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE ANOTHER BORING JOB, EXPORTING, IMPORTING, WHATEVER MEANS TO ADD MAPS FROM ONE OS ARCHIVES TO THE OTHER, DONT YOU?

Bidonga Solina

Advanced Poster

722 Posts

RE: Max in Mac

Posted 09-Jul-2008 10:09 AM

Not really.
I use mainly psd files as maps and they are compatible with both Mac and Windows systems.

I placed them in a network drive where I can acess easily from both systems.

It bothers me when I realise I have to change something in the map and I have to reboot to acess photoshop.

I've installed Gimp in windows to be able to do some adjustments, but it is not as powerful has is said to be, and has a realy distinct UI from photoshop so it is preferable in most cases to reboot.

I'm now more organized in modelling, texturing and mapping to avoid unnecessary reboots. :-P

Cheers

ARQFAR

Advanced Poster

160 Posts

RE: Max in Mac

Posted 09-Jul-2008 1:29 PM

I DIDNT KNOW GIMP TILL NOW ¿WHAT ABOUT PHOTOSHOP FOR WINDOWS? IT IS PRETTY MUCH ALIKE!

Bidonga Solina

Advanced Poster

722 Posts

RE: Max in Mac

Posted 09-Jul-2008 8:59 PM

The problem is the software cost.

I already own a license of photoshop for mac. I don't want to pay again to have the software duplicated on the same machine.

ARQFAR

Advanced Poster

160 Posts

RE: Max in Mac

Posted 09-Jul-2008 11:46 PM

YES INDEED, WASNT THINKING RIGHT, THATS ABOUT "999" HEAVY REASONS, EH? BUT MAYBE WITH A NICE PROJECT YOU COULD GET IT, IF ITS WORTH HAVING BOTH. DEPENDS ON YOUR NEEDS. GOOD LUCK. "READ" YOU AROUND.

MeltdownTS

New Poster

10 Posts

RE: Max in Mac

Posted 10-Jul-2008 1:16 PM

hey you can also try out paint shop pro it has layers and color correction too!

persoanlly i'd stay with your windows anyway, you're letting two processors sleep in mac lol :)


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