SolidWorks on Mac Pro?

Hi,
I wasn't sure where to post this, but most of the "Solidworks on a Mac" discussion seems to take place here on bootcamp. A lot of the posts seem a little dated now that Leopard is out, so it would be nice to hear the latest setups running SW. Someone did mention he was going to get a MP but was waiting for the new OS.
I am about to pull the trigger on a new Mac Pro 3.0GHz Quad-Core with an Nvidia Quadro 4500 graphics card (SW certified) to run Solidworks 2008. My main goal is to do Industrial Design and be able to interface with all the other designers and engineers who I will be working with.
From all the posts I've read over the last few weeks here and on other forums, it should be fine, but I'd love to hear from someone with experience running it on the same or similar platform (Mac Pro/Mac Book Pro with Windows). Many posts talk about running it on a MBP and it seems to be running well within reason. If I were to extrapolate from these posts, my setup should be fine, but I'd like to know what to look out for or what performance I can expect in the setup I will be buying.
Question: Do you think my setup (Mac Pro 3.0GHz Quad-Core with an Nvidia Quadro 4500 graphics card) should be fine running SolidWorks 2008 on the Windows side? Advice? Recommendations?
I'd also love to know what your setup is:
Computer:
Mac OS:
Windows OS:
Graphics Card:
SW version:
Memory:
Thanks for any insight.
YH!

Hi YH.
I think that you will have no problems at all on a Mac Pro. If you can I'd recommend using a second internal drive to run Windows though. I'm running the OS's from one 4200 RPM drive in this Macbook Pro. I've got 3 gigs of RAM and although performance is very good it's not as good as it could be if I had 2 drives. You see Windows file indexing system is basically rubbish- compared to OS X highly sophisticated alternative system, so windows slows the drive down even more (which it's sharing with OS X).
The only real quirk I've noticed is a 'blockyness' with complex assemblies, but this could just be caused by bi-sharing on the HD. As I don't have a Mac Pro with dual drives it's hard to give you an accurate explanation/ recommendation.
However, I have been making moulds in SW on VMware for the last month, and apart from getting many errors for my own incompetence in mould making, SW's has been running with minimum effort.
I hope that helps.
PS, BTW all those I know who have switched to OS X from Windows are now wondering why they didn't switch earlier. Any initial problems they've encountered have mostly been down to not really knowing what they were actually doing in the first place!

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SolidWorks x64 Edition up and running on Mac Pro

I have the 64-bit version of Solidworks running on my Mac Pro and it's a screamer!
I used Solidworks 2007 x64 Edition on Windows XP x64 Professional on my Mac Pro for a solid 3 hours today at work. I had no problems other than a slow SATA hard-drive issue that is well known and remains unfixed on my machine. However, once Windows has loaded the registry with the program guts it runs like a top, just don't expect it to load up a program for the first time blazingly fast and you'll be fine.
Be that as it may, even with all the hardware issues I still have, SolidWorks is AWESOME on the Mac Pro, even better than any other Intel boxes I've used previously. To be fair, I don't have any experience with SW 2007 x64 on real XP x64 box.
(I posted this on another thread earlier, but at the time I didn't know what I was doing. I felt this information would be of better use under this category.)
For those who want to do this and run the x64 version of XP here's the drivers and the drill:
My Windows software is sourced from a free download of x64 120 day trial version from Windows.
Interestingly enough, I called Microsoft and asked what happens after 120 days, the answer was...."I don't know"...
weird.
Anyway, for those who don't know how to get the format of the download file to be correct for Boot Camp to recognize it as a Windows CD, here's the procedure.
This is all done on the Mac Pro.
1. Download XPx64 from: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/facts/trial.mspx
2. Open Disk Utility
2. Double click downloaded file: WS03SP1RTM_1830_PX6EN.iso (this will allow you to see it in Disk Utility)
3. In Disk Utility select the WS0...EN.iso file mentioned previously and click the "convert" button.
4. When the "Save as" box pops up set the location to wherever you want ( I named the file the same name w/o the .iso extension and put it on my desktop) and set the Image Format to "DVD/CD master", Encryption to "none"
5. After saving the file, it will show up with a new extension *.cdr. Double click this file in the Disk Utility drive list.
6. After Finder finishes launching the file, go back to Disk Utility and select your new *.cdr file and click the Partition button to the right.
7. Once in the partition window, select Options and set the partition scheme to "Master Boot Record", hit OK.
8. After getting back in the partition window, select Volume Scheme and set to "1 partition", The size should be around 558.62 MB (don't worry about the format set to mac OS extended and the other greyed functions)
9. Select the Burn icon, insert your CD-R, set your post burning options, and have a Coke and a smile. Verify the file format is ISO 9660 file system by selecting the "get info" on the CD under "Finder".
**TIP #1 - make sure you've printed out the e-mail from Microsoft outlining the setup instructions and including the CD-Key. Don't be like me and get 98% through the Windows setup where it asks you for CD-Key and have to power off the computer and get it out of OS X.**
**TIP #2 - Since you are using an Apple keyboard Windows doesn't seem to be able to use it on the blue screen portion of the install. My remedy (after assuming the install locked up 6 times in a row) is to go find a cheap-o usb keyboard and mouse lying around (probably standard Microsoft stuff in your closet) and plug it in to be back of your Mac Pro tower. You do not need to go through the Mac OS hardware setup thing that pops up.
10. After printing out your MS instruction e-mail and plugging in your keyboard and mouse (see above), launch Boot Camp (don't even try to use the driver CD it makes, it's useless for XP x64) and install XP x64.
11. Have a beer and a smile, you will need the alcohol in your blood from here on out.
**TIP #3 - go buy 2 or 3 magazines and get a comfortable chair.**
12. Install Windows, follow the Boot Camp Beta instructions carefully until you get to the part where you install the driver CD. It won't work.
13. Follow these links to get the x64 drivers:
Audio: http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/dlhd-2.aspx?lineid=2004052&famid=2004052&ser ies=2004061&Software=True&title=HD%20Audio%20CODECs
Nvidia Graphics driver for the 7300GT (remember, this is for Win XP x64 edition so it's not the same as the regularly posted 32 bit version):
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp64_91.47.html
LAN drivers (Be sure to get the x64 version):
Download PROEM64T.exe from the Intel website
13. Update Windows.
**NOTE: I am still having the same driver issues as others that have installed XP x64 on a Mac Pro, for example the Apple keyboard and mouse function, but the CtlAltDel and Eject CD disk remain non functional.**
14. Install SolidWorks 2007 x64 from the included DVD in your software update box that came in the mail last week.
15. GO TO BED...IT'S 4:30 am!!!
Mac Pro Mac OS X (10.4.7) Microsoft XP x64 Professional
Please correct me on any driver postings if they are in error or missing. These are the ones I used and they are working for me. I do not claim to be a guru (this is only my 7th day of using Macintosh in my entire life), I'm just a CAD guy that has a MacNut for a boss. It was either adapt or die, so I'm hapilly adapted.
Mac Pro Mac OS X (10.4.7) Microsoft XP x64 Professional

Alright CT, here's the deal.
You'll need to update windows first, they have the HD USB audio device driver update on Windows Update. After this, install the RealTek driver you downloaded earlier. Don't worry about windows saying it found a device but can't find the driver for it, that'll be fixed when you run the Realtek install program.
As far as the broken stuff in Device Manager, it's the usual stuff everyone has (be sure to go to "view", "show hidden devices" to see all the stuff) :
-USB human interface device
-Other device
-unknown device x3 (you will note there is also one unknown device on the Mac os)
-Intel(R) 5000 Series Chipset PCI Express x4 (Port 3 thru Port7)
As far as performance goes, BIG IMPROVEMENT! I did the slipstream fix using the 64bit drivers (obviously) and found out the hard way that you do infact have to use Boot Camp and delete and recreate the partition for a reinstall.
(tried to install on top of existing installation twice...failed twice. Suck!)
I used the picture guide located at:
http://st118.startlogic.com/~macproxp/index.html
I don't understand all the super-geek evaluation stuff when using the recommended evaluation SiSoftware Sandra, but it looks like the drive is listed as a:
ST3250824AS (P)ATA
I thought this driver was supposed to turn it into a SATA drive. Maybe it did and I'm just an idiot. So, I downloaded HD tune (give me a chart anyday over a bunch of gobbledy-gook numbers & letters) and installed it.
Here are the numbers after making about 40 copies of a 59.8 MB file on the desktop to the desktop (to try and tax the processor/hd):
HD Tune: ST3250824AS P Benchmark
Transfer Rate Minimum : 0.6 MB/sec
Transfer Rate Maximum : 66.9 MB/sec
Transfer Rate Average : 20.2 MB/sec
Access Time : 13.0 ms
Burst Rate : 152.4 MB/sec
CPU Usage : 1.5%
This is no where close to 3GB/sec, but a helluva lot faster than 35KB/sec like before, pretty dang fast nonetheless.
Hopefull someone smarter that me can figure out if I'm at the fastest I can go or not.
-MSW

Windows 8.1 Pro on Mac pro resolution problem

I have created a partition for windows 8.1 pro on my 13' retina display mac pro via boot camp, everything is fine except the resolution, when i open the browser, i could see pixels, the words aren't very sharp, but this isn't my biggest problem, when i open the Solidworks software i'm working on, the icons are too small, or the texts are too big for their boxes. what is happening here? anyone knows what is all about, or how to fix this? changing the resolution of the display didn't solve the problem.

This is how the words look like in the browser page, you could see pixels. The maximum resolution for this machine is 2560*1600

Solidworks On Mac

Anyone who have an experience to run Solidworks thru iMac?

Hi YH.
I think that you will have no problems at all on a Mac Pro. If you can I'd recommend using a second internal drive to run Windows though. I'm running the OS's from one 4200 RPM drive in this Macbook Pro. I've got 3 gigs of RAM and although performance is very good it's not as good as it could be if I had 2 drives. You see Windows file indexing system is basically rubbish- compared to OS X highly sophisticated alternative system, so windows slows the drive down even more (which it's sharing with OS X).
The only real quirk I've noticed is a 'blockyness' with complex assemblies, but this could just be caused by bi-sharing on the HD. As I don't have a Mac Pro with dual drives it's hard to give you an accurate explanation/ recommendation.
However, I have been making moulds in SW on VMware for the last month, and apart from getting many errors for my own incompetence in mould making, SW's has been running with minimum effort.
I hope that helps.
PS, BTW all those I know who have switched to OS X from Windows are now wondering why they didn't switch earlier. Any initial problems they've encountered have mostly been down to not really knowing what they were actually doing in the first place!

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thank you for your reply, I did this with the same problem. Turns out that I went to FAQ section and went to the "Sharing" section of "system preferences" and changed my computer name by removing all spaces and apostrophe where it lists my computer name under Mac Book Pro, and problem solved.

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Is there some way to do this? Is there any sort of serial to usb adapter or would that not work with a Mac Pro?
Thanks for any advice.

I don't think so. See these knowledge base articles from Wacom:
http://www.wacom.com/faqs/knowledge_search.cfm?id=67
http://www.wacom.com/faqs/knowledge_search.cfm?id=185

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Hello all!
Alright I am trying to figure the best configuration that I can afford for a memory upgrade to my Mac Pro. I am looking to spend somewhere south of $200.
I currently have the following memory configuration (3GB):
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 1: 1 GB
DIMM Riser A/DIMM 2: 1 GB
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 1: 512 MB
DIMM Riser B/DIMM 2: 512 MB
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I have been reading on the message boards that it is best not to mix memory but it is suggested to fill all the slots with the same size memory.
I guess it just kills me to take out all of my existing memory to put in just the 4GB of new memory.
Could anyone provide any suggestions?
Thank you for your time in advance!

You have 3GB, which is on the lite side.
The ideal for that model is 4 DIMMs.
Without knowing if you are a light photoshop, or what you use it for, Apple calls 4 x 1GB for FCP (and audio apps) "symmetrical memory."
And I would look at 4 x 2GB and pull your 3GB, maybe sell it once you know the new memory is fine after a month.
Are you seeing page outs? multiple swap files?
Go to folder: /var/
Maybe you are better off with faster drives, new boot drive or for scratch. A WD 10K 150GB VelociRaptor for $180 even.

Is my mac pro's nVidia 8800gt dead. B&W lines across my screen only

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dual 2.8GHz quad core processors
Snow Leopard with all software updates
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Hard drives are set in two raid arrays, there are four 1.5 TB drives, each set to pairs of raid 0 for 3 TB drives. One raid array is set to time machine the other is my startup disc.
dual DVD RW drives
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using a DVI to HDMI adapter to connect to a 40" Samsung LCD TV as a monitor (has always worked flawlessly)
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What I am posting here for is just getting a confirmation that other people agree with me that this is the problem so I do not waste my money on a new graphics card. Please let me know opinions, I would like to have my computer running swimmingly in the near future. Thanks in advance, I appreciate any help I can get.
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Most people often seem to think that after a system freeze they don't need to repair their boot drive.
Over the years, Disk Warrior stands out as indispensable.
ie, don't rely on the restart alone to repair and fix, and you probably don't want to trust and rely on just Apple First Aid.
Boot from another drive and run Apple First Aid followed by Disk Warrior; keep backups of your system you can boot from. Clone your system with SuperDuper. Clear out system caches.
You don't need to buy Apple RAM and its prices to have certified RAM, Crucial and others are fine. Sometimes even better.
I like a fsst, small, boot drive and keep it just to OS/Apps; everything else, media files, data, whatever, on other drives. Multiple backups and redundancy. TimeMachine doesn't benefit or perform any faster with RAID, I've tried just to see.
I would slice off some space for an emergency boot drive so you can OPTION boot to that and run First Aid and other maintenance.
Then worry about hardware, and maybe run some hardware tests.
And for a good "is it software or hardware" do a clearn install of Apple OS and updates (only) - needs less than 30GB.

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I fixed the problem by re-setting the default values for my VirusBarrier X6 anti-virus program.

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Does the SSH is supposed to work in this way in OSX? I mean the local account can see the folder mounted by another account though SSH.
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I know the best way to get the solution is to direct call the apple support. However, it is really not easy to call them. Because it always results with long waiting time and then the people pick up the phone will transfer my call to an expert who will make me to describe the problem again.
Since I'm not interested in the technique details of all the problems, it is also grateful if you would provide a direct instruction to let me setup the computer for the purpose.
Thanks you very much for your kindly help.

I cannot help with the screen sharing, although I have just tried it with a RealVNC client on an iPad and it seemed to work OK.
However on the disk showing on all users desk tops have you unchecked the "ignore ownership on this volume" check box? You can check the drives permissions with CMD i command.

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Yep, you're right! Thanks, working now, very useful.

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Any ideas?
thank you,
ken

I'm not sure this is the correct forum for this, but here is what i'd like to achieve: Have 2 users each with their own keyboard and monitor using one mac pro tower... i know they can run multiple monitors, but what about 2 keyboards and users... this is doable on most other unix based systems ive used in the past (sgi irix and suns).
Any ideas?
thank you,
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I currently hold NOTHING on my Factory 320GB HD other than programs.
I have installed (2) 1TB drives and created a RAID slice thus creating a single HD icon on my desktop that reads 1.8TB. Thats is where all my Music, Photos, and Movies reside.
My question is....
When I wipe my system will that RAID be broken? Will I lose everything on those 2 drives or will using the restore CD's leave all that information in tact?
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You might want to look at LittleSnitch or NetBarrier and do some logging.
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And of course check what processes are getting loaded and run; manually delete caches, history, metadata, even the bookmarks cache.
~/Library/Caches/Metadata
There are issues with fake Flash updates; normal sites (like CNN) suffering from SQL-injection. Best to run with javascript off for now.
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So far I've tried:
* Using a different USB port (ports tried work fine with other peripherals)
* Restarting the iPod
* Restarting the Mac
* Deleting & recreating iTunes library (per http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1451)
* Deleting & reinstalling iTunes (per http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1224)
* Wiping iPod
* Deleting & reinstalling Mobile Device support (per http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1747)
Despite all of this, the Touch fails to show up in iTunes -- the cable & iPod are fine, as they sync properly with our iBook (which, unfortunately, has none of my media on it, nor the disk space for it).
What's the next step?

I wouldnt think it is un-fixable, just have to narrow down where the issue is.
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Is the iPod charging when its connected?
I do apologize for acknowledging that you said the iPod did work on your Macbook in your first post.

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I tried to get da driver for it, but could not find any.

Try the other DVI port on the graphics card. On early Mac Pros, only one port is the dual-link DVI needed for full resolution on the 30" display. Make sure the display's USB cable is plugged into the computer.

SolidWorks on Mac Pro?

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