Running DynaScape on a Mac

Can I run DynaScape on a Mac computer? #

The answer is yes you can run DynaScape products on a Mac computer, but not in the native Mac environment.

How do you run DynaScape on a Mac computer? #

There are several products available that allow you to install a Windows Operating Systems (Windows 8.1 or 10 preferred) on a Mac computer. Each requires a separate purchase of a Windows Operating System (OS) and each operates a little differently, so you need to choose the one that is best suited to your needs. The following are three options to consider:

• Boot Camp – free with Mac’s OS, plus your licensed copy of Windows
  • This allows you to partition your hard drive and install Windows natively on your Mac
• Parallels Desktop – costs $79.00, plus your licensed copy of Windows
  • This allows you to install Windows in a virtual environment on your Mac
• VMware Fusion – costs $79.00, plus your licensed copy of Windows
  • This allows you to install Windows in a virtual environment on your Mac

Note: you will need a 2-button mouse for DynaScape Design’s right-click options. We have found success with a wired Might Mouse when using Parallels.

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Option A: Boot Camp #

This application comes free with Mac’s OS. All you need to do is purchase Windows, start up Boot Camp to install a Windows OS. To run the Windows OS, reboot your computer and choose Boot Camp to start up with. DynaScape products can be installed and used from within Windows installed on your Mac using Boot Camp.

Link: Mac 101: Using Windows on your Mac via Boot Camp

What’s good about Boot Camp?

• Comes free with Mac’s OS
• Allows you to run Windows natively on your Mac
• Requires minimal keyboard mapping to get the same functionality as Windows

Challenges with using Boot Camp?

• You cannot switch to the Mac environment unless you reboot
• Sharing folders with the Mac OS requires some technical skill
• Using the [Delete] key to undo requires the use of two keys [fn]+[Delete]

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Option B: Parallels Desktop #

This application needs to be purchased from a retailer or online ($79.00* – trial available). You can run this product side-by-side with Mac OS X without needing to reboot. You need to purchase a version of Windows, start up Parallels Desktop and install the Windows OS. To run, open Parallels Desktop (without rebooting). DynaScape products can be installed and used from within Windows on Parallels Desktop.

Link: Parallels Desktop website

What’s good about Parallels Desktop?

• You can run this product side-by-side with Mac OS X without needing to reboot
• Requires minimal keyboard mapping to get the same functionality as Windows (requires more mapping than Boot Camp but less than VMware Fusion)

Challenges with using Parallels Desktop?

• Without mapping your keyboard you cannot use [Ctrl]+[shift] as a shortcut to turn on Constraints temporarily in DynaScape Design
• Using the [Delete] key to undo requires the use of two keys [fn]+[Delete]
• You cannot run DS|Design if you share folders

Link: System Requirements for Parallels Desktop

 

Notes about Parallels Desktop 7:

• To run DS|Design v6 on Parallels you must have version 7 or newer because it has support for Aero theme (Configure > Hardware > Video)
• 3D acceleration should be turned off for best quality
• DPI must be set to 100%
• When setting up Parallels, DO NOT select “Like a Mac”, otherwise you will need to do one of the following:
  • Click the Parallels icon in the menu bar, press and hold the Option (Alt) key and choose Configure
  • If the Parallels Desktop menu bar is visible at the top of the screen, choose Virtual Machine > Configure
  • Click Hardware and select Print.
    • De-Select Add all Mac printers.
• To prevent errors upon opening DS|Design, please do the following:
  • Click the Parallels icon in the menu bar, press and hold the Option (Alt) key and choose Configure
  • If the Parallels Desktop menu bar is visible at the top of the screen, choose Virtual Machine> Configure
  • Click Options
    1. Select Applications
       • De-Select Share Windows applications with Mac.
       • De-Select Share Mac applications with Windows.
    2. Select Sharing
       • De-Select Shared Profile