Mac Bone

As noted in System Requirements , the Windows version of SIMION is tested, confirmed to run quite well, and is officially supported by SIS on Intel-based Mac OS X via these three methods: CrossOver Mac, VMWare Fusion, and Parallels Desktop for Mac.

In Summary, there is non a native binary build of SIMION 7.0/8.0/eight.1 for Mac OS. Nevertheless, you can accomplish quite good results running SIMION eight.1/8.0 (maybe SIMION vii too) on an Intel-based Mac if you use a Windows compatibility layer (CrossOver Mac) or a virtualization layer (VMWare Fusion or Parallels Desktop for Mac). (Options for very old PowerPC-based Macs are more express.) The main possible methods of running SIMION on a Mac are listed below, listed roughly in decreasing order of preference.

Pick #1: Windows Compatibility Layer: such equally CrossOver/Darwine on Intel Macs - These include the commercial CrossOver Mac, which is based on the open Darwine (Vino) project. CrossOver is generally recommended over Darwine since there are reports (as of early 2007) that information technology works smoother in general, it is quite cheap, and we currently only accept reports of running CrossOver. Crossover/Darwine is currently only expected to possibly work on Intel-based Macs (not very erstwhile PowerPC-based Macs); this is made possible by the Apple switch to Intel Processors (wikipedia). CrossOver runs SIMION at native speeds within Mac Os via Wine technology, similar to how a number of users have already been successfully running SIMION under Linux via Vino . (Note: please update to SIMION 8.ane.one.23 or afterward to improve Fly'grand speed though.) CrossOver Mac was officially tested, confirmed to piece of work quite well, and is formally supported by SIS for use with SIMION 8.0. Run into screenshot [*1] below of SIMION 8.0.10 nether CrossOver Mac.

Selection #ii: Virtualization Layer: such as VMWare Fusion or Parallels Desktop for Mac on Intel-based Macs. VMWare Fusion and Parallels were both officially tested, confirmed to piece of work quite well, and are formally supported by Sister for use with SIMION 8.0. At that place besides have been reports for SIMION seven.0. These run at native speeds. Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac and related virtualization products take non been tested merely might piece of work too.

Option #three: Emulation software - such as Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac might allow SIMION to be run on an older PowerPC-based Mac, just it would non be expected to run at native speeds. There have been a few unconfirmed reports of using Microsoft Virtual PC, just we are not enlightened to what extent this works. Nosotros believe there was some annoyance with the mouse in the Modify screen in SIMION 7 (if there are problems, SIMION 8 may very well run better there). CPU emulators mostly cause a practiced performance subtract, and this would non be an ideal setup for a computationally intensive awarding like SIMION; however, it could exist sufficient for some things.

Option #4: Native compilation of SIMION to Mac OS binaries is currently non provided, nor is it much a development priority because CrossOver Mac on Intel Macs is expected to be a very suitable option, and so time/endeavour is likely better spent on other things. In theory, it would be possible to compile a non-GUI version of SIMION 8 (with simply the command-line interface) nether GCC without much difficulty, and this is an choice in the hereafter. In theory, information technology would besides be possible to compile a GUI version of SIMION viii besides since the SIMION 8 GUI is migrating to a cantankerous-platform framework, but it would likely crave some porting effort in practice (information technology yet has Win32 code), and that effort if at all may well instead get elsewhere.

Whatsoever further reports or tips on running SIMION under Mac Os are appreciated!

[*ane] Thanks to Ryan Ringle at TRIUMF for initial reports of running SIMION eight.0.x under CrossOver Mac (2007-02).

[*3] Thank you to Elizabeth MacDonald for initial Parallels report. Related word: SIMION Discussion Grouping Mail service 1810.

_images/simionmac.png

SIMION eight.0.ten under CrossOver Mac. From Ryan Ringle/TRIUMF. 2007-02.

_images/macparallels.png

SIMION viii.0.three and SL Tools under Intel MacBookPro (combined screenshots), 2007-08. From Elizabeth MacDonald.

Formal back up for Intel-based Mac Os 10 running Windows version of SIMION

Running the Windows version of SIMION 8.1 (and viii.0) on Intel-based Mac Os X is formally supported via the post-obit three methods. (Note: very old PowerPC-based OS ix Macs will generally non work well or at all.) These methods have been tested by SIS and work quite well.

Other less-formally supported methods may piece of work as well, particularly virtualization software like VMWare/Parallels. Come across also http://www.simion.com/info/Mac_OS .

Windows Licensing: Using CrossOver does not require a Windows license. Using virtualization software like Parallels and VMWare VMWare does require you have and install a licensed copy of Windows into the virtual machine (Windows is purchased separately). The CrossOver method tin can be more cost effective.

Performance: Both CrossOver and virtualization (VMWare and Parallels) run largely at native speeds. For optimal Fly'm functioning under CrossOver, please update to SIMION 8.1.1.23 or above though.

Retentiveness usage: 32-bit SIMION (8.one and 8.0) nether both Parallels, VMWare, and CrossOver has a retention limit of roughly ane.2 GB, of 130 million points, or higher per PA (when the "–reserved-retentivity" option is used). This may depend on guest OS and virtual motorcar memory resource allotment settings (which were not fully explored during testing). 64-scrap SIMION viii.1 running in a 64-chip virtual machine (non 32-bit CrossOver), such equally 64-bit Windows or even Wine64 on a 64-bit Linux should not have this limitation. Equally of this writing, there is non a 64-bit (Wine64) version of CrossOver.

Excel (conditionally supported): Controlling Excel from SIMION is only supported via virtualization (i.e. Parallels/VMWare non CrossOver) and merely if Excel is a Windows version installed on the virtual machine. As of 8.ane.0.twenty, examples tin can alternately utilise gnuplot.

Old version notes: SIMION 8.0.5 may freeze when using CrossOver versions prior to vii.x. Either upgrade CrossOver to >= 7.10 or downgrade SIMION to <= 8.0.iv.

Summary: SIMION 8.0 and 8.1 run well on all the higher up options. If you lot want integration with (Windows) Excel you should use virtualization (VMWare or Parallels), simply if you want better integration with Bone X applications you lot might want to instead use CrossOver since SIMION will then run more than like an Os 10 awarding. SIMION 7.0 works ok on all the above but seemed to run most smoothly under Parallels (SIMION seven.0 does some catchy things with the mouse that crusade some non-disquisitional mouse behavior problems nether CrossOver and VMWare).

Notes: Added December 2007.

Formal support for CrossOver Mac on Intel-based Mac OS X

Overview: Equally of Dec 2007, SIS is formally supporting running the Windows version of SIMION 8.0/eight.1 on Intel-based Mac Os X via a third-party application called CodeWeavers CrossOver Mac. This ways that this combination mostly runs quite well, and has been tested by Sister. You could run into a few minor issues as discussed beneath, but Sister can aid with some setup questions and intends to patch SIMION if whatsoever incompatibilities are discovered.

Version compatibility: Sis testing was performed on the post-obit configurations. Newer versions, as well as older versions, probable work as well (or improve), and other users take already successfully tried other versions.

  • CrossOver Max 12.2.1 on Mac Os 10 10.6.8 with SIMION 8.one.1.32.
  • CrossOver Mac xi.ii.two on Mac Os X x.5.8 with SIMION 8.1.1.23.
  • CrossOver Mac 10.i on Mac OS X ten.five.viii with SIMION viii.1.0/viii.0.vi.
  • CrossOver Mac vi.two.0 on Mac OS 10 10.four with SIMION 8.0.4/8.0.iii.

Operation: Wing'1000 speed under CrossOver Mac has much improved as of SIMION eight.1.1.23, so it'south recommended to update SIMION if you have an earlier version. In previous SIMION versions, Fly'ms under CrossOver could be 2x slower or much worse. Fly'm speed under CrossOver is now about the same as under virtualization (due east.g. Parallels Desktop for Mac or VMWare Fusion). Other operations such equally refining are nearly equal in speed between CrossOver and Parallels equally well.

Memory: Maximum retention per PA (using the "–reserved-retentiveness" command-line choice) is about 1.2 GB RAM, or 130 million points (tested CrossOver Mac 6.two.0). This is somewhat below the Windows XP limit merely might exist improvable in the future. As of this writing, there is non a 64-scrap Wine64 version of CrossOver nor is Wine64 currently uniform with Os X (for other notes on Wine64, encounter Linux ), and then you'll only be able to run the 32-bit version of SIMION eight.1 or 8.0 on CrossOver. (Using virtualization rather than CrossOver can overcome this.)

Right mouse button: SIMION uses the right mouse button for operations such as zooming and rotating, but the default mouse on some Macs lack a correct mouse push button. The OS X "System Preferences > Mouse" settings also have options that control whether the "Secondary Push button" is enabled (information technology should be enabled). If you accept a single push mouse, there are key combinations to piece of work effectually this (east.thousand. press the Control central which mouse clicking), only you might just replace the mouse with a ii-button USB mouse (a USB mouse taken from a PC will work). Please upgrade SIMION to 8.1.1.32 or 8.ane.ii.2 if the mouse scroll wheel does not reply on the Modify 3D view. On the Modify 3D window, dragging the left mouse button creates a option rectangle; although this rectangle appears invisible under CrossOver, it is really there.

Clipboard: Printing to Clipboard doesn't seem to do anything. However, you tin can print to a file (PS or EMF) and load in another application. A screenshot can exist taken using %-Shift-iii (entire screen), %-Shift-4 (rectangle), or %-Shift-4 then spacebar (window), which is saved every bit a file on the desktop (see "Shortcuts for taking pictures of the screen" in the CrossOver help).

Excel (not supported): Communication between SIMION and Excel via the COM/OLE interface does non seem supported on the Mac. A few of the Lua user programs in the SIMION examples interface with Excel over COM for real-time data reporting and charting. On the other hand, as of SIMION 8.ane.1.16, about of these examples can alternately use gnuplot instead of Excel, and gnuplot does work on OS 10 (see SIMION Example: gnuplot and SIMION Example: plot). You tin use either a native Mac or a Windows version of gnuplot. The native Mac version of Excel 2004 does not support COM either. Though you can install the Windows version of Excel (which does support COM) on CrossOver, CrossOver COM support appears very limited, though it might be possible by installing "DCOM95/DCOM98". Nosotros have not yet had success doing this (though take non tested information technology recently). And you may exist interested in outputting your data to another plan. It is possible of course to write a .csv file from SIMION and and then load that into Excel (rather than rely on real-fourth dimension communication).

Command-Line Usage: To run SIMION from control-line, select "Programs|Run Command…" card item from CrossOver and click "Debug Options|Open Beat". From the shell run this:

              cd Programme\ Files/SIMION-viii.ane/ cxstart simion.exe --nogui wing examples/quad/quad.iob

( cxstart is a symbolic link to the wine command, and both are synonymous.)

The following problems used to occur but appear to be ok in the latest versions of SIMION and CrossOver:

  • Supplemental Assist Documentation (SIMION 8.i): This more often than not works but may have a few problems. Hyperlinks to SIMION examples or external web pages have been known not to work in the past. It seems to piece of work in SIMION eight.1.1.32 on CrossOver 12.2.1.
  • The "Md" button on the View screen for opening the README web folio has been known not to work in the by. It seems to piece of work in SIMION 8.1.1.32 on CrossOver 12.2.one. If that fails, open up the file separately it in a web browser.
  • os.execute("start notepad results.csv") in SIMION Example: geometry_optimize does null (returns 9009). Still, os.execute("notepad results.csv") works and does not block. Works in CrossOver 11.2.2 on SIMION eight.1.1.18.
  • Installation Stall: When installing SIMION, the CrossOver Software Installer may announced to stall for a few minutes (displaying bulletin "Installing Unsupported Software") before the SIMION installer window appears. This is OK. No longer occurs in SIMION 8.ane.0/CrossOver 10.1 or SIMION 8.1.1.18/CrossOver 11.ii.ii.
  • The mouse scroll push button didn't work in text boxes. This seems ok in SIMION 8.1.1.18/CrossOver xi.two.2 though. Please update to 8.1.ane.32 or viii.1.2.2 to fix mouse ringlet cycle non responding on the Modify 3D view.

Additional Comments from Testing:

  • Press: works
  • OPENGL (Alter 3D view): works (though opens in a split window).
  • BATCH MODE: works.
  • Opening Notepad (e.g. "User Program…" button in View or os.execute "notepad" in Lua: works.
  • Opening spider web browser: "Check for Updates" works. "Docs" push has issues (see higher up).
  • Copy/Paste from Log Window: works.

SIMION vii.0 Notes: SIMION 7.0 has besides been known to piece of work nether CrossOver only in that location are a couple issues. There are some mouse behavior problems where the mouse moves to the center of the screen whenever the mouse is clicked. Relying more on the keyboard can work around this. Resizing the SIMION vii.0 window can sometimes cause stability bug, though pressing the Window close push in the upper left title bar and so selecting No tin reset it.

Formal support for Parallels on Intel-based Mac Bone X

Overview: As of December 2007, Sister is formally supporting running the Windows version of SIMION 8.0.x on Intel-based Mac Os X via a tertiary-party application called Parallels Desktop for Mac ( http://www.parallels.com/en/products/desktop/ ). This means that this combination generally runs quite well, and has been tested by SIS. You could run into a few minor issues as discussed below, but Sis tin can help with some setup questions and intends to patch SIMION if whatsoever significant incompatibilities are discovered.

Version compatibility: Sister testing was performed on the following configuration. Newer versions, as well as older versions, likely work as well (or amend), and other users accept already successfully tried other versions.

Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac on Intel-based Mac OS Ten 10.4. running Windows 2000. SIMION eight.0.3/eight.0.4.

Performance: Refining and flight run at roughly native speeds.

Memory: PA size of 125M points works. Using –reserved-retentiveness only allows pocket-size increases (eastward.g. 150M points).

Right mouse push: SIMION uses the correct mouse button for operations such as zooming and rotating, but the default mouse on many Macs lacks a right mouse button. Information technology is recommended you replace the mouse with a two-button USB mouse (a USB mouse taken from a PC volition work).

OpenGL: Open up GL (3D viewing in Alter) works well except resizing window (and mouse scroll bar) may cause OpenGL window to go blank. A workaround is to close and reopen the window.

Parallels Coherence display mode: works.

CPU SSE2 Alert: SIMION reports that SSE2 is non detected (even though the CPU does take SSE2) and reverts to non-sse2 fashion. This tin can be ignored (modest operation impact).

Excel: Controlling Excel in Parallels works providing a Windows-version of Excel is installed on the virtual motorcar (tested Excel 2003/Win2K). The native Mac version of Excel does not provide a COM interface. As of 8.1.0.20, examples tin can alternately use gnuplot.

SIMION 7.0 Notes: SIMION 7.0 also works well under Parallels.

Formal back up for VMWare Fusion on Intel-based Mac Os Ten

Overview: As of January 2008, Sis is formally supporting running the Windows version of SIMION viii.0.x on Intel-based Mac Os Ten via a third-party application chosen VMWare Fusion for Mac ( http://world wide web.vmware.com/products/fusion/ ). This ways that this combination generally runs quite well, and has been tested by Sister. You could encounter a few minor issues as discussed below, simply Sis can help with some setup questions and intends to patch SIMION if any significant incompatibilities are discovered.

Version compatibility: SIS testing was performed on the following configuration. Newer versions, equally well as older versions, probable work equally well (or better), and other users have already successfully tried other versions.

VMWare Fusion 1.1 on Intel-based Mac OS X x.iv running Windows XP. SIMION 8.0.4.

Operation: Refining and flying run at roughly native speeds.

Memory: PA size of 180M points works (when using --reserved-memory=1.8G command-line option).

Correct mouse button: SIMION uses the correct mouse button for operations such as zooming and rotating, but the default mouse on many Macs lacks a right mouse button. Information technology is recommended you replace the mouse with a 2-push USB mouse (a USB mouse taken from a PC will work).

Mouse scrolling: The roll bars in the Modify and View screens behave a bit oddly (but are usable) since VMWare is not locking the mouse cursor position on the scrollbar when the mouse button is pressed downwardly.

Printing: Works provided a printer is setup in VMWare.

Copy/Paste: VMWare seems to simply copy/paste text (not images) betwixt the invitee and host Bone, merely at that place are diverse means to utilise SIMION's press or Windows screencapture (e.thou. F13) to write an paradigm file in windows and then drag and driblet the file onto the Bone X Desktop.

OpenGL: OpenGL by and large works except some crashes were noticed when switching in/out of OpenGL under VMWare's "Unity" way. The workaround is to use the Window or Full Screen modes or avert OpenGL in Unity way.

VMWare Unity display way: generally works, simply see OPENGL comments above.

Excel: Controlling Excel in VMWare works providing a Windows-version of Excel is installed on the virtual machine (tested Excel 2003/Win2K). The native Mac version of Excel does non provide a COM interface. As of viii.1.0.xx, examples can alternately use gnuplot.

SIMION 7.0 works ok under VMWare. Some of the mouse behavior is bad-mannered (e.g. selecting a rectangle in View/Modify screens).

Changes

  • 8.one.one.32/viii.1.ii.2: Fix mouse scroll bicycle not responding on Modify 3D view.
  • 8.ane.ane.23: Fly'm speed (GUI and non-GUI) improved by a couple of times under CrossOver Mac. Fly'm speed is close to native now nether CrossOver. Tested on CrossOver Mac xi.two.2.
  • 8.ane.1.eighteen: GUI mode Wing'm performance under CrossOver Mac (Bone X) roughly doubled.
  • 8.1.1.18: Fixed warning about "FontEnumerator::IsValidFaceName(font.GetFaceName())" upon loading Log window (or View screen). Confirmed in CrossOver Mac xi.ii.2 / SIMION <= 8.1.1.17. Prior to this fix, a workaround is to click "No" when prompted "Do you desire to stop the plan?".
  • 8.1.i.xviii: Doc push button may be more than reliable now.
  • 8.0.6: GUI/OpenGL/Wine: Fixed OpenGL 3D Change window in CrossOver Mac (Upshot-I277) Also, removed workaround for now resolved Vino OpenGL sheet bug (winebug#2398)
  • 8.0.half dozen: GUI/OpenGL/Wine: Fixed OpenGL 3D Modify window in Linux/Wine. Broken in 8.0.six-TEST6.
  • eight.0.six: GUI/Wine: Fixed Check for Updates button not displaying on CrossOver Mac OSX (Vista canteen). Broken in 8.0.6-TEST16.
  • 8.0.6: GUI/Keyboard/Vino: Fixed keyboard shortcuts in Linux/Wine (focus trouble). Broken in 8.0.6-TEST7.
  • 8.0.4: Formal support for Windows version of SIMION on Intel-based Mac OS X