Carrara on Linux or on Mac?

[3DOM]

Hi,

I am looking into switching from Windows XP to Linux, or even to Mac when buying a new computer.

The problem is that I'm no computer wiz and I have no idea if I will be able to run my current software on Linux or a Mac.
(Hexagon 2.1, Carrara 5.1 Pro, Norton Antivirus, ...)

Can anyone please give me some info on the subject (switching from Windows to Linux/Mac) and/or provide me with some links with useful info on the subject?

Thanks, Dominiek.

[diego1968]

hi !
If you want to switch for another computer : Get a Mac, cause you can install every OS you need (windows, OSX and Linux), you can still keep your Windows Version of Hexagon and Carrara and run them under Windows with Boot-camp (free and easy to use) with the same power. If you run under OSX you don't need Norton ! It's only for Windows !

But there is a known issue with OpenGL 2 on Mac because of Graphique card drivers and you won't be able to have Ambiant occlusion with Hexagon (wich is a gadget for me). Except that problem, you can do anything you want with Hexagon and Carrara !

If you have all your serials applications you must be able to dowload a Mac version of both software, if you already don't have them. i'm not aware if they run under Linux (i'm on Mac) but check it on your sofware box or on Daz site specifications.

But why do you want to use a Mac ? What kind of power do you need ? ands what is your new computer budget ?

And sorry for my english

[3DOM]

Hello diego1968 and thanks.

Why be sorry for your English?
It's very good .

But why do you want to use a Mac ? What kind of power do you need ? ands what is your new computer budget ?

Well, I'm kinda tired of Microsoft and I've heard lots of positive things about the Mac.
And with Vista coming up and all the negative stuff I've read about it, I'm trying to find out if which direction to turn into to when buying my next computer. (Budget +/- 3.000 Euros.)
I'm thinking of buying a new one in about 6 months.

My only worry is to be able to keep using my current purchased licenses.
I do'nt know if the versions of Carara and Hex that I've downloaded can be executed on Mac without also installing Windows on the Mac (which I do not prefer).
And I do'nt know if I still can download a Mac version on the Daz3D website.
Will have to check that.
But at least now I know from your answer that I can also install Windows on it.

I'm kinda rambling here...
The reason for this post is to have some starting points for me to start my search. To be able to compare Windows-Linux-Mac and what the upsides and downsides are.

Dominiek.

[diego1968]

With 3000 euros (what a budget !) you can have such a good Mac !
for example this : http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObje...dLeUfN2/2.?p=0

Don't worry about the RAM you can have cheaper ones anywherelse ! Dont buy them on apple store they are to expensive !

OSX is good, stable, pro and robust !
Linux is amazing, FREE, and you need more knowledge data processing !
Windows is everywhere and expensive, especially if you want a pro version and it doesn't manage more than 2 or 3 Gb of ram as i heard !

But i'm pro Mac so maybe i'm not a "adviser" ! my judment is a bit oriented

So good luck !

[3DOM]

Thanks diego1968!

Yes Mac Ram is expensive: I've just checked their site and I saw that it costs about 3 times more than what I have now.

Thanks for your help .

Dominiek.

[markbremmer]

You can get good Mac memory here:
http://www.crucial.com/promo/index.asp?prog=uslp_mac

Mark

[Tunesy]

I'm with you, 3dom. I've been eyeballing macs for years, but this time I might take the plunge. Vista just sounds too intrusive to me. I'm surprised more people don't seem bothered by it.

[medeamajic]

3DOM,

You do not have to get Vista. It sounds like Carrara and Hexagon run better with XP as opposed to OS X. Hardware wise the Apple computer is no better than a PC. They both use intel CPUs but Windows will run on any MOBO or any generic PC.

I would not condsider Linux amazing or feee. The free version are for hardcore Linux users. Distribution version like Xandros and Linspire both provide click and run features. Both Linspire and Xandros have been compared to XP for ease of use. Unlike free hardcore versions of Linux that require line prompt commands to install software both Xandros and Linspire can be installed with a simple mouse click if you purchase the software from their website. Software can be installed the old fasion way. A lot of 3-D animation software as well as video editing software is not out for Linux yet. I hope Linux will gain in popularity. Some use XP to run their favorite programs but use Linux to surf the net with out the fear of getting a virus.

I hope to see Xandros and Linspire gain market share.

[3DOM]

Thanks for the info .

[Plum]

Hiya.

Linux has some REALLY good 3D software for it...but it's expensive. Maya and Softimage|XSI are both on Linux. Blender is as well...oh, and Blender is free. You can also run windows emulators ("Wine" is one, and there was a new one I can't recall that was supposed to be even better).

I'm using Windows XP Pro 64-Bit for the next few years, so that's where my money's going. In 4 or 5 years I'll upgrade or outright buy a new computer. Not sure which direction I'll go...probably Linux. I'm not letting Vista come within 10' of my computer!

[Altered_Ego]

I've been researching Mac computers for a couple months.

I'm seriously considering a 24" iMac, and getting 2GB of RAM. It has the nVidia video card.

It's actually cheaper to buy from the Apple store, and get the memory then. It was $100 cheaper when I checked.

If you bought the memory from another store, you'd actually need to take out the memory that's in the iMac, and replace it with the new ones. So you're effectively throwing your original memory away.

There is a Universal Binary version of Carrara, and one of Poser if you're interested. That means they take full advantage of the Intel CPU in the new iMacs.

You can go to DAZ, reset your settings to see Mac stuff. Then you can request a reset of your Carrara download... get the Mac version.. No problem.

[rickei]

Spend all 3000 euros on a Mac, and rejoice! I can't think of a better investment.
I would stay away from the iMac's though.
Ron's right, Daz will let you register either version. Then you can use BootCamp for any other software you may need to keep. If you are interested in Linux then look at the Fink/Debian solution for OSX... very nice

[Altered_Ego]

If you get the Mac version of Carrara, you won't need to boot to Windows XP.

I have reservations about installing Windows on a Mac.

One reason I'd get a Mac is to leave behind all the pains of the Windows world.

Why would I want to turn around and bring Windows onto a perfectly good Mac?

Besides, I'd probably keep my PC around for the things that Mac won't handle.

So far, there are no Mac versions of my favorite Poser-related utilities.