Install 32bit and 64bit together?

[Andre Baros]

I'm thinking of switching to a 64bit (Vista probably) now that Revit 64bit is available. However, for Max, I'm wondering if I can install both 64bit and 32bit versions because some of the plug-ins I need are only available for 32bit right now.

Also, what the best 64bit OS for Max?

[Steve_Bennett]

I don't think you would be able to install both. Also, one of the other members in here was having nothing but trouble in a mixed environment for render farm. A company like Boxx Tech who builds high end systems for max or maya still uses XP Pro 64bit and will not get on the vista band wagon yet - at least that was the case a couple months ago.

[ws]

If you mean the latest 3dsMax version, I'm only starting out with 3DS Max Design 2009, but I have 32 bit and 64 bit versions installed under Vista 64 - indeed I can run both at the same time - although I'm not doing anything complex with them yet.

I did have a problem with the installation - it activated but wouldn't write the serial to the Registry and no-one so far seems to know how to fix this.

Also under Vista 64 you need to temporarily disable User Account Control (UAC) before installing 3dsmax - it's in the Readme file.

I really like Vista 64 but it needs plenty of ram (I have 8GB).
There are a few issues mentioned in the release notes for 3dsMax 2009 specific to the 64 bit version.

Incidentally if you are installing Vista 64 on an existing PC check if there is a motherboard BIOS update available - my mobo isn't old but there was one recommended to run Vista 64.

[stusic]

I've been running max in a mixed environment for a while, mostly with XP, but recently with Vista (both x64) on my workstation. My render farm is mixed with x32 and x64 processors (XP Pro), and my workstation has both 32- and 64-bit Max installed. Because you can't using mixed-bit Max versions with distributed rendering, I have to send my jobs to the farm via 32-bit Max (which is the only reason I have the 32-bit version installed).

[stusic]

... A company like Boxx Tech who builds high end systems for max or maya still uses XP Pro 64bit and will not get on the vista band wagon yet - at least that was the case a couple months ago.

That's still the case at Boxx.

[dellis]

I just built a new rig and i'm using XP64...only real pain is the quicktime thing! Everything else works great!

[brucealmond01]

At present i am using 32 bit in my windows when i am going to install 64 bit it is not working properly. Can any one tell me how to install 64 bit in my system.
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[stusic]

At present i am using 32 bit in my windows when i am going to install 64 bit it is not working properly. Can any one tell me how to install 64 bit in my system.
_______________________________________________
Single-Treff (http://www.singletreff-singleboerse.de/single-treff.html) snakeskin boots (http://www.timsboots.com/ropstylboot.html)

Can you describe your problem a bit more? I didn't have any issues when doing a regular installation...

[stusic]

I just built a new rig and i'm using XP64...only real pain is the quicktime thing! Everything else works great!

I've had problems with Quicktime too; I'm not happy you're having problems, but I'm glad I'm not the only one...

[Andre Baros]

I came across this today on CGArchitect.
http://www.3dspeedmachine.com/News/compare/compare.htm
What is more interesting than the fact that Max is slower than Maya or XSI, is that Vista64 is dramatically slower than XP64. Let Microsoft and Apple battle for the home market, but we need software vendors to start supporting Linux for people who are trying to do processor intensive work on their machines. Wouldn't it be nice to see an Autodesk build of Linux, optimized for their applications? All the eye candy of new operating systems might be nice if you spend most of your days looking at a desktop, but odds are that if you're using Max, or Autocad, or Revit, or Maya, etc. that you spend more time looking at an Autodesk GUI than a desktop. We need an OS for professionals and content creators not just content consumers.