Switching from windows to mac for autocadlt

[info5]

Hi all, I have been using autocad lt for about 30 years, on a windows platform. Currently use LT subscription. I am at a crossroads, considering moving to Mac platform as other devices are Mac.

I understand the software is similar now, but are there any users out there who might advise if moving to Mac would be straightforward for a seasoned user like me? I do still type commands occasionally! and if you might recommend a laptop.

Thanks - all advice welcome.

[pendean]

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@info5 wrote:

Hi all, I have been using autocad lt for about 30 years, on a windows platform....who might advise if moving to Mac would be straightforward for a seasoned user like me?...

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The MAC interface is very different. Nope, you cannot make them look the same. Nope, the MAC version does not have a "classic" interface either.

The MAC versions have different setup/solutions for tools like Toolpalettes and ADCENTER.

The MAC versions cannot switch a DWG file from STB to CTB (or vice versa).

The MAC versions LT2024-LT2025 do not have LISP (added to the Windows versions).

The MACOS experience is very different from the WindowsOS one: not better or worse, just different.

But if all you are concerned about is typing commands, then yes, the legacy commandline is still in use. The commands are all the same.

Glean what you can from the online HELP for the MAC version right here 

https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACDLTM/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-47F71D36-8E62-4936-AF97-344334AE6AD5

Many have made the leap ,nothing wrong with that at all. But you might want to open your eyes to all the challenges first.

[info5]

Hi thanks for you answer. This helps. No, I am not just worried about typing commands, though it is a relief to know that i would be able to in the MAC version. Also, onecan get used to the platform lookig different but I just wondered if it needs retraining one's way of using the platform. Don't mind about LISP as don't use it, toolpalettes etc could be an issue.

Will access online help, thanks. You are right and that's why I am asking advice, to be able to go into it with eyes open.

[pendean · Accepted solution]

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@info5 wrote:

...I just wondered if it needs retraining one's way of using the platform...

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Yes it does.

Best wishes.

[moneumiko]

Hi, I have switched to macOS just recently, and I'm on LT too. Having read about all the limitations of the Mac version of AutoCAD, I installed Parallels to be able to continue using AutoCAD for Windows. My plan was to use AutoCAD for Mac only occasionally but I installed it too to check it out. Well... it turned out to be so great that now I am using it 100% time!! I love it. The performance is fantastic (but that would depend on the specs of the machine of course, mine is M3 Pro 36GB RAM), and I was also able to recreate all my macro-buttons here. I got used to this version very quickly.

[info5]

Hi - thanks and so cool that you love the new vesrion better. thanks for sharing specs of your machine too!

[Martijn_NL]

Hi, I am actually trying to get my macros to work on MAC. 

I wrote out all the macro's for windows but now I tried to copy past these into MAC and they don't seem to work. 

Any suggestions?

[maxim_k]

Hi @Martijn_NL ,

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@Martijn_NL wrote:

....

I wrote out all the macro's for windows but now I tried to copy past these into MAC and they don't seem to work. 

Any suggestions?

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If you mean AutoLISP routines (.LSP files) and you have AutoCAD LT for Mac, then they won't work because LT version on Mac doesn't support AutoLISP.

If you have full version of AutoCAD for Mac, then you need to verify that your code doesn't include vla-* (AutoLISP/ActiveX) functions. AutoCAD for Mac doesn't support them.

[moneumiko]

So do you mean AutoLISP routines (like Maxim is asking), or command macros? I have re-written all my command macros from the Windows version, and they work nicely (with the exception of those that contain 'setenv' and 'users' variables as they don't work on the mac version).

Maybe it's worth mentioning, although probably not related to your problem, that when updating a macro, it's not only the CUI where the macro must be updated, it's also the Toolset Panel on the left, where the old macro must be removed, and the new one added (for some reason it doesn't update automatically).

[Martijn_NL]

Hi, I was talking about both. 

I have a cuix file with all the command macros and toolbars. However Mac does not support this. So I had to rewrite them all one by one in the CUI center. 

I noticed that as well, if you update a command in the cui center you first have to delete it from the toolbar and add it again to update it. Thanks for mentioning it!