Working in Parallel Worlds - Windows 7 and Mac OS X

[klwhiteley]

Hello everybody,

I'm new to this forum so I apologize in advance if I'm posting this is the wrong place, but I wasn't sure where else to put it.

I've just recently switched from a completely Windows platform on a Dell to an iMac and this forum has been a great help to me getting my Revit, AutoCAD and Ecotect software working on Windows 7 in my Parallels VM.

I'm wondering how many of you are also working on an Apple computer and running their CAD programs on Windows but their other programs, like Photoshop, Illustrator, SketchUp, Word, accounting software and anything else on the Mac OS? And how that's working for you?

Also, how many people are keeping their CAD files on their Mac side instead of in their VM?

I haven't updated my Microsoft Office Suite or my Adobe Suite yet, I'm still using those on my old computer. I'd like to switch those programs to Mac versions on my new set up, but I'm unsure about it and would be happy to get any advice on this.

Cheers,k.

Going to go turn on the fireplace channel on the T.V. and read my book. Looks like I'll be waiting a while for any responses to this one.

[jlucas]

Welcome to AUGI and congrats on your first post!

Just one question though: Does Apple still make computers?? I also use a Dell/Windows set up at home and work. I was never a fan of Macs. Good luck in your quest for answers klwhiteley!

[klwhiteley]

Why do I have a feeling this thread is going to devolve into people poking fun at me for working on a Mac (thank you jlucas for at least that) and my own musings on trying to figure out where the 10 sec loop starts of the perpetually burning log that I love watching on TV so much on a cold winter night. Reminds me of our real fireplace that we had when I was growing up in Winnipeg.

What if I said I was considering buying iWork instead of Microsoft Office for Mac (or Windows)? Would that provoke some kind of response?

I think that calls for another beer.

k.

[michael.12445]

Search these forums for posts on running Autodesk software in VMs on a Mac. I've never tried it myself, but apparently it's a much more workable setup than it used to be (as your post seems to imply). Yes, I can remember, some years ago, people getting a lot of flak for even mentioning Macs in AUGI, but I think we (and the VM mechanism) are more grown up now and manage to avoid any more silly Mac vs. Windows wars.

While I think MS Office is still the most popular office suite for the Mac platform, you could try OpenOffice - it's free, and pretty compatible with the MS file formats.

[blads]

Hello everybody,

I'm new to this forum so I apologize in advance if I'm posting this is the wrong place, but I wasn't sure where else to put it.

I've just recently switched from a completely Windows platform on a Dell to an iMac and this forum has been a great help to me getting my Revit, AutoCAD and Ecotect software working on Windows 7 in my Parallels VM.

I'm wondering how many of you are also working on an Apple computer and running their CAD programs on Windows but their other programs, like Photoshop, Illustrator, SketchUp, Word, accounting software and anything else on the Mac OS? And how that's working for you?

Also, how many people are keeping their CAD files on their Mac side instead of in their VM?

I haven't updated my Microsoft Office Suite or my Adobe Suite yet, I'm still using those on my old computer. I'd like to switch those programs to Mac versions on my new set up, but I'm unsure about it and would be happy to get any advice on this.

Cheers,k.

Going to go turn on the fireplace channel on the T.V. and read my book. Looks like I'll be waiting a while for any responses to this one.

G'day klwhiteley,

Welcome to AUGI. I switched from a Windows PC to a Mac last year and have never looked back… I use Revit in conjunction with Parallels 5 VM/Vista 64bit.

The remainder of my "office" applications have been switched to Mac OS programs. For Photoshop, I switched to the PS Elements 8 version as I couldn't justify the cost for a full blown CS4 suite when I just use it sparingly for editing photos… works just fine.

I store my CAD files on the Mac to ensure Time machine backs them up from time-2-time.

FWIW the company I purchased my Mac through tossed in a copy of iWork… Initially I used Office Mac 2008 but in recent times be switching to the iWork equivalent as it reads Office products and is friendlier to use...

Hope that helps… feel free to ask any further questions, as the need arises

[klwhiteley]

Greetings again,

Michael, I think you're right that Microsoft Office is still the most popular and I'll check out OpenOffice. I tried searching the forum for "Mac" and it said none found! Weird, eh? Then I went back to the main page and right there I immediately saw a thread with "Mac" in the title. Bizarre. But I did find a few threads, thanks.

And KingBlads, that's a great relief to see that you're happy with your choice to switch to a Mac and that you're working with Photoshop on your Mac OS no problem.

I'm using the same Revit setup as you described and now that I hear you've been saving your CAD files to your Mac side, I'm going to go ahead and try that. I haven't got Time machine set up yet but will follow your advice on that too.

As for the Microsoft Office vs iWork vs OpenOffice debate, if you're using iWork have you found that you're missing using Excel? It sounds like Pages can export/import a Word format if necessary and even Numbers can export/import an Excel format but with more limited functionality. And I read in one forum that Numbers can't import password protected Excel files. Have you found not having Excel to be an issue at all? Do you ever have to send spreadsheets to engineers or contractors?

I hear Keynote is way better than PowerPoint too.

For anybody else whose been wondering here's a link to a comparison:
http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/col...oogle-Docs.htm

Here are Apple's claims of compatibility:
http://www.apple.com/iwork/compatibility/

It's one thing to get general feedback on specialist sites for this other software, but it's really great to get feed back from people working in related fields.
So thanks, your tips are much appreciated.

[jaberwok]

I tried searching the forum for "Mac" and it said none found! Weird, eh? Then I went back to the main page and right there I immediately saw a thread with "Mac" in the title.

Just FYI, the forum search ignores any term with three or fewer characters.
Searching on *mac* should give some results (though, at the moment, I'm only getting a "database error" ).

[Opie]

Just FYI, the forum search ignores any term with three or fewer characters.
Searching on *mac* should give some results (though, at the moment, I'm only getting a "database error" ).

Then, let Google do the searching.

[klwhiteley]

Thanks for the suggestion jaberwok, though it's not working for me either at the moment. P.S. - I love your signature quote!

Opie - that's the trick, magic, thank you.

[jaberwok]

Then, let Google do the searching.

Yes, but that always reminds me of the saying about buying a dog and barking.