AutoCad 2021 Mac Rendering Workflow

[Anonymous]

New to AutoCad. 

...Understand that Rendering is not available on Mac version of this product. Surprise... big surprise. Still haven't seen anything that justifies this.

Again, just downloaded, have been researching for what the expected workflow to go from model to presentation would look like? I need to dimension this at some point so I'm not really looking for a Blender or Maya, but would appreciate something beyond shaded and closer to the sales materials if I had to be honest. 

So why just Windows, not Mac and if not Mac (insert good reason here) then why charge the same price. I'm just honestly confused, was ready to make the investment, excited to say I'm willing to buy into the marketing and pay to add this tool to my workflow but I can't justify having another computer just to do AutoCad, I guess......  Still stunned. 

Really appreciate any thoughts you may have. @Anonymous @Anonymous 

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi John,

Yes, there is no Rendering in AutoCAD for Mac since 2017 version.

Furthermore, you cannot create and even edit existing materials in AutoCAD for Mac.

So if you need to use Rendering and materials in your workflow, then AutoCAD for Mac is not your choice.

AutoCAD for Mac also has many functional limitations compared to AutoCAD for Windows. You can study >>>this<<< document to understand what other features are missing in AutoCAD for Mac.

When I need Rendering, I use AutoCAD for Windows inside  Parallels Desktop Virtual Machine on my Mac. If you have active AutoCAD for Mac subscription, you can activate and use additional copy of AutoCAD for Windows.

[pendean]

FYI no one here is Autodesk Staff no matter who you think you are tagging with the @ tags: we are end users just like you.

Feedback (and complaints) to Autodesk is done here https://www.autodesk.com/company/contact-us/product-feedback

HTH

[Anonymous]

That's good to know. Thanks for letting me know.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Dean for letting me know. Much appreciated. 

[Anonymous]

Maxim, thank you for your perspective. I had some concerns virtualizing windows with Autocad for rendering. It has always been my understanding that rendering leverages the graphics processor best direct and performance will be considerably degraded. How has your experience been?

Again, thank you taking the time to respond. 

[maxim_k]

>>>I had some concerns virtualizing windows with Autocad for rendering
I don't have any problems with rendering in Virtual Machine environment. Maybe it is a little bit slower than on real PC, but Parallels Desktop "graphics card" is capable of rendering in AutoCAD.

Anyway, for complex cases you can always use Autodesk online rendering:

https://gallery.autodesk.com/a360rendering

[recinedesign]

what is the point in the non LT version then? what can you do with those not rendered 3d models?

[maxim_k]

Hi @recinedesign ,

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@recinedesign wrote:

what is the point in the non LT version then? what can you do with those not rendered 3d models?

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Please look here:

https://gallery.autodesk.com/a360rendering

[recinedesign]

Don't help tho... autocad for Mac miss material library... how can I cloud render if there is no material palette? You can't assign material on cloud render... as I said, autocad for Mac (non LT ) is useless and frankly should not even be sold at the same price as windows... just sell LT and call it a day

[pendean]

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@recinedesign wrote:

.... and frankly should not even be sold at the same price as windows... just sell LT and call it a day

---

You apparently don't know that your single purchase of an AutoCAD license entitles you to install and use all of these for free while you remain on subscription:

AutoCAD for MAC

AutoCAD for Windows

AutoCAD Architecture (for Windows)

AutoCAD MEP (for Windows)

AutoCAD ELECTRICAL (for Windows)

AutoCAD MAP3D (for Windows)

AutoCAD Mechanical (for Windows)

AutoCAD Plant3D (for Windows)

AutoCAD Raster Design (an addon for all Windows versions listed above).

Your chosen OS is the only thing holding you back, Autodesk is giving you all the chances possible to never lock yourself up in a tiny box unless you choose to do so.

Now you know. You never JUST licensed AutoCAD for MAC. 

[recinedesign]

If I am looking for autocad for Mac autocad clearly can't use those
other... or am I expected to buy another workstation only for windows?
That's nonsense... i would love to pay for that autocad for Mac, offering
something that is not compatible on the same machine is pointless

[pendean]

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@recinedesign wrote:
If I am looking for autocad for Mac autocad clearly can't use those
other... or am I expected to buy another workstation only for windows?
That's nonsense... i would love to pay for that autocad for Mac, offering
something that is not compatible on the same machine is pointless

---

You possess the keys to your own golden cage my friend: and since you appear to not know, read this https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/run-windows-on-your-mac-mh11850/mac#:~:text=With%20Boot%20C.... and https://www.google.com/search?q=run+windows+os+on+a+mac

Fly free!

[matteo_trasi_formamentis_it]

If you are going to use 3D models and rendering, you should consider leaving MacOS systems. Mac hardware in not powerful enough to manage complex 3D models. Apart from silly marketing benchmarks, you can manage such models on systems with advanced NVIDIA graphics (Apple prevents the use of them after BigSur) or AMD graphics. Silicon Apple are good for 2D graphics and music, but not good enough for 3D models. You usually need at least a 32Gb RAM system with AMD Ryzen 7 or intel i7 CPU, and an 8Gb video card for advanced 3D work. Mac are good just as toys, to learn and play, with 3D, not for work. AutoCAD also is not a good software for 3D (it's old and basic for 3D tasks), so I think this is the reason why Autodesk does not develop AutoCAD for Mac in a serious way.