Can mac os support autocad, 3dmax software?
i am an architecture student..thinking of buying a macbook.
any recommended?

This post has been edited by blinkblink88: Apr 8 2009, 05:03 PM

for 3d design i suggest u buy macbook pro not macbook..for heavily usage macbook pro more suitable..

Big 'NO' unless you willing to use 3rd party which might can import CAD or 3ds file, but it's not really recommended to do so. You still have to use windows for that. If you use those 2 software mostly, i guess you go buy other brand of laptop. Although macbook can install windows but that's defeat the whole main purpose if you keep booting to windows instead of mac os, right? Just my suggestion

During my Engineering school years, i was forced to leave my ibook (then) and i bought an acer solely for the 'engineering programs' like autocad and such. Therefore my scenario is rather similar to yours.

Looking back then, i RARELY use the autocad program at home as most are done at the school lab. and even if i did, it is not that much. But that is enough to force me to put up with windows for 3 years. Bottomline is, if i had the chance then, i would've used a mac boot windows whenever i need, only when i need it.

I think if i can use a mbp then, that would be MY choice. Too bad bootcamp wasn't available til recently.

I think at the end of the day, it buoys down each individual preference and budget. I rarely play games (Except fm09). Even if i did, most major games like w3,cod4,fm09 is available via mac anyway. and my rarity to use any windows software allowed me to come back to Mac

I dont think anyone here can really "recommend" you the right laptop as no one really know what you're requirements are or how fast you need or can tolerate, etc...

I'm a landscape architect. Last time used to be only in windows world. But come to my final years I started to use Mac.
Now still using Autocad (can't find much conveniant program to repalce it). But since you are in early stage might as well try Vectorworks.
But for 3DS Max, the comparable is Cinema 4D. If you know how to use 3DS Max, then Cinema 4D should be no problem.

i am in de middle stage of architecture course...
if i use other software to produce my work it is hard for me to do printing service in a shop...
any solution on that?

can u list the softwares ur using? I want to know also.

auto cad, 3d max, sketchup, corel draw, adobe etc....

Autocad, 3dsMax >> windows' only softwares.
There was no compatiblitiies problem when I print cad files in printing shop. There should be an export for .dwg or any similiar extensions even if you use the not-so-common Mac cad counterpart.

I wonder, what drives you to use Mac for Architecture work? My boss is willing to buy me a workstation pc just for AutoCad, simply because the work can be used in other professional's pc.

Adobe and Corel did exist in Mac version.

Autocad, 3D max no Mac version, but only autocad you need to print in native format. For 3D Max mostly you print .png or .jpg files. I'm not sure for what reason you wanna print 3dmax, unless you like looking at the wireframe..

Since now Mac is running on Intel processor, might as well you try to use parallel desktop especially for AutoCad. Last time my 3dmax class i did my assignment in Cinema 4D, good thing my lecturer didn't ask for softcopy so just print and send final product.. but i really confuse, why your school don't use Mac? Last time at my Uni the architectural dept. teaching their student with mac. only landscape dept. using PC.

This post has been edited by b48753: Mar 21 2009, 11:11 AM

i do to have a pc..it is 3 years old but luckily stil function well..
but now i m looking for a laptop..wish to get a mac because is it more different with my pc and any other laptop..

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Added on March 21, 2009, 11:24 amactually printing thing will oni happen on next sems..around early of jun..now we are stil manual work...
i do to have a pc..so i dun even ned to worry much about the auto cad software but going to learn 3d max on next sems...
if my lecturer asking for softcopy den i will die...
our school is stringy!! oni editing student r using iMac and somemore they just change for it...so it is a long pathway for them to change for architecture student because we dont have our own computer lab..sad case...

This post has been edited by blinkblink88: Mar 21 2009, 11:24 AM

virtualisations should do the trick. install VMware Fusion/Parallels Desktop and you can get windows running in mac. get best of both world

 i am architecture student as well. i own a new alu macbook pro and i think it did a great job in photoshop and sketchup. however, when come to cad stuff, archicad really not as good as autocad. Hence, after a month purchase my alu macbook pro, i bought another sony AR series for my cad work and gaming...

but the software is costly right?

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Added on March 21, 2009, 9:49 pmyou are rich enough to do so...but not for me


This post has been edited by blinkblink88: Mar 21 2009, 09:49 PM

i think is the same whether u choose mac n windows. You can do more things with windows whereas u need to stick with apple if u use mac. I'm using autoCAD, solidworks, Cartia in the future which I find nice to use. the problem is with the hardware if u r requesting the quality. High RAM, high Processor, High Graphics Card should be working with those things. MacBook is more suitable for Graphics Design. For those who really talk about designing in graphics.

Happy Exploring

I would recommend macbook alu 2.0 with up grade of 4 gb of ram..when using anything to do with windows,just bootcamp it..why,the GPU is powerful enough to take CAD softwares on boocamp...and also when using parallels and VMware fusion..your mac is going to use almost half of your ram. eventually slows down your mac ..virtualization is not worth it if you are going to use only one software on windows ..this has been discuss in many mac user forum,blogs around the net...i was in a dilemma too..try google autocad on mac..dont worry if your budget is tight.go for macbook alu 2.0 with 4gb ram..

r u using 2.0 4gb too?
where do u upgrade ur ram?around how much is it cost?

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Added on March 30, 2009, 12:29 amanymore opinion?

This post has been edited by blinkblink88: Mar 30 2009, 12:29 AM

May i know is that autocad, 3d max and sketchup can run nicely in macbook by using bootcamp?
can is run smoothly same as pc?
can anyone give me some opinion for it, thank, i will appreciate it~~

I installed 3D max 8 in bootcamp.. It runs smooth.

Just the apple layout is kinda weird... Ctrl, Alt placement will make u confuse to short-cut usage. Get an external Keyboard.

Sketchup having Mac version,rite? Try ur best to use Mac os x all the time..

Bootcamp heating up very quick.

macbook as personal computer .
windows desktop for autocad etc in architecture works .

you must remember , even if u can find altenative like archiCAD, you will have big time when u are trying to syncronize your work with your friends .