- Interested in SOLIDWORKS? We can set up SOLIDWORKS on your Apple Mac. For more information, call us on 90, or visit http://bit.ly/swamac.
- To use the file reference checking for standalone eDrawings installations, you must download and install the SOLIDWORKS Document Manager when prompted. The Mac OS ® version of eDrawings cannot check file references.
SOLIDWORKS cannot run directly on macOS, so first you will need to install Windows on your Mac using an application such as Boot Camp or Parallels. There are other considerations such as graphics performance and the applications you are using SOLIDWORKS for. Where can you run this program? You can run this program on Windows 7, 8, and 10. On Mac, it works with 10.10 and higher. Is there a better alternative? SolidWorks is powerful while staying navigable. However, if you want a free alternative, try FreeCAD, Fusion 360, or nanoCAD.
Oh, the trials of being a Mac user in the CAD world. There’s just no justice for your simple and elegant character personified in a simple and elegant computer. Who is out there to understand you? SolidSmack has your back and we want to show you how easy it it is to get SolidWorks runnin’ on your Mac.
To show this, I turn to a friend that use SolidWorks with a Mac on a consistent basis. Ben Eadie, from SolidMentor, shares this step-by-step and has a few tips.
Step-by-Step SolidWorks on a Mac
Solidworks For Mac
- Install Bootcamp on your Mac (this comes as a standard install on a new mac).
- Reboot and install Windows (Vista or Windows 7 recommended).
- Install SolidWorks and Microsoft Office.
- Voila!
Additional Tips from Ben
- If you want to have RealView you may have to do a Softmod on your video card. This is as simple as installing a driver.
- Mac Book Pro and lesser models will work, but RealView and performance will be lacking like any lesser computer.
- Generally, Vista or Windows 7 will run better on a Mac.
Other Virtualization/Emulation options?
You can also install Windows via Parallels, Vmware, or other emulators, but you may see lower graphics card performance. There are more details for Parallels and VM, like using the Bootcamp partition as a virtual machine so you can boot natively or as a virtual machine. The drawback to this is you have to re-register SolidWorks each time you change the way you boot, i.e. boot into Bootcamp and then later boot into Parallels. When you start SolidWorks you will have to re-register… Don’t worry, Ben says he has done this hundreds of times and it is only 2 extra mouse clicks.
Have a question about using SolidWorks on a Mac? Hit the comments!
Want to learn how-to run Windows®-specific CAD (computer-aided design) software on your Mac®? Don’t fret—you absolutely can! SolidWorks® is a widely used 3D design software that runs very well using Parallels Desktop for Mac.
Performance Tips:
Want to know how to fine-tune your virtual machine for performance-intensive tasks such as running CAD programs? Here are our top tips:
Use multiple cores for the VM: While Parallels Desktop now defaults to two processors for a new VM, if your VM was created before this setting was the default, your VM might only be using one core. Change this setting to two or perhaps four cores to improve the performance
Allocate more vRAM to your VM: Dedicating more memory to your VM will help. Think of RAM like a work bench: the more space you have, the more projects you can actively work on; with less space, only smaller projects will be available. Running CAD software within a VM isn’t a “light” performance task. However much RAM you allocate to your VM, please keep in mind that your host operating system will need a minimum of 4 GB to run macOS®. If the macOS is slowed, then everything running on the Mac will become slower, and this includes Parallels Desktop and any VMs, and any apps inside those VMs.
Now, meet a talented mechanical engineering student from Auburn University, Matt Huffman. He utilizes a virtualized environment to run SolidWorks on his MacBook Pro®. Additionally, Matt is a member of Auburn University’s Mechanical Engineering Club, where passionate students fabricate and build an actual Formula 1 car from scratch to compete around the world.
“I chose Parallels because it is really easy to use and set up compared to the other guys. It is also the software that I had heard the most about. I use Microsoft® Office (Word, Excel®, PowerPoint®) often for school. I use Parallels often with SolidWorks when modeling and designing parts for the Auburn Formula team. I use Chrome™ as my primary browser. Google Drive™ and Dropbox are used alternatively for file sharing/group projects. Evernote® is a great one for notes.” – Matt
Matt’s current machine specifications:
Can You Install Solidworks On A Mac
MacBook Pro (Retina®, 15-inch, mid-2015)
Processor: 2.8 GHz Intel® Core™ i7
Memory: 16 GB (8 GB dedicated to his VM)
Graphics: Intel Iris® Pro 1536 MB
Utilizing Parallels Desktop with SolidWorks for the Mechanical Engineering Club obviously has the fun built into the project. However, here are some examples of Matt’s academic projects:
Post academic goals: Matt aspires to use his mechanical engineering degree to find future employment in the automotive world with innovative companies like Bugatti, Tesla, or Ferrari. Matt plans to loyally continue to use Parallels Desktop for both school work and play to achieve his goals. Both Parallels Desktop and SolidWorks consistently prove they are powerful tools to turn your innovative brainstorming ideas into reality in the design world.
Interested in getting started with SolidWorks on your Mac with Parallels Desktop? Try our 14-day free trial now.
Need Microsoft Windows operating system to get started with CAD software? Buy directly below:
Can You Download Solidworks On A Mac File
Happy Virtualizing!