Level 1

5 points

BootCamp and AutoCad for students

As a parent who just jumped in and bought a MacBook Pro for his daughter in college, I now realize she will need AutoCad for her interior design classes, so big ooops for me. I am trying to determine if installing BootCamp will be able to run that program effectively, or do I bite the bullet and get her the PC instead. It's the only Windows app she will need, albeit a big one ! Has Bootcamp evolved since its inception. I don't really want to do the Parallels Desktop either.

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5), Processor 065-7018 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Posted on Feb 10, 2008 7:46 PM

36 replies

joeyaudio Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 14, 2008 7:12 AM in response to joeyaudio

Do I install MacDrive 7 to the windows OS or to the Mac os?

Feb 14, 2008 9:58 AM in response to joeyaudio

Hello,

NTFS is just a Windows file system thats part of the operating system itself, so nothing to add there.The absolute simplest way to do this without any third party software,like Macdrive,is to go ahead and choose the default 32GB partition size with bootcamp and format it as FAT 32 when installing Windows.This way you get read/write capability and the 32GB will be pleanty for Autocad and files.
I would suggest ,if you havn't already,to read the bootcamp instructions for a much better understanding of the process.Search Bootcamp on the homepage of this Apple Support and you will find the instuctions.

LukeD

Level 4

3,153 points

Feb 14, 2008 2:22 PM in response to joeyaudio

Mac Drive 7 is for the Windows side

The Paragon software is for the Mac side

You need both if your Windows partition is formatted as NTFS

If you go FAT 32, you will not be able to run or upgrade to Vista without erasing the partition and creating a new one via Boot Camp.

Vista DOES NOT run on FAT 32.

Message was edited by: LukeD

joeyaudio Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 14, 2008 7:16 PM in response to Mothman277

Actually she will use AutoCad 2008.I will just have her accept the prompts on install, and partition the 32gb as you said. I am not worried about upgrading to Vista. I have heard there are printing issues from the Windows side, is that true?

LukeD

Level 4

3,153 points

Feb 14, 2008 10:38 PM in response to joeyaudio

I have not heard of any printing issues at all, and I use all of the aforementioned products.

If you have found our comments helpful, please mark them with "helpful" and "solved".

Thanks!

Good luck!

Feb 17, 2008 5:31 AM in response to LukeD

I am an architect and I run AutoCad & Revit on Boot Camp with out any problem except when you open Revit wit an external USB HD, it will confuse the program and will ask you to register the program again. AutoCad is old school and is an out dated program. Revit is the Autodesk Revit is the future.

Feb 17, 2008 7:23 AM in response to bomberaia

What's the difference between Revit and Autocad? I've been using Autocad since October last year and it's ok but the license problem with the external drives is driving me insane.

joeyaudio Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 25, 2008 7:06 PM in response to Mothman277

I noticed on the directions I need a mouse and a keyboard. Will just any USB 2.0 keyboard work?

joeyaudio Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 25, 2008 7:08 PM in response to joeyaudio

I have another question that is part of the solution that needs to be answered.....

joeyaudio Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 25, 2008 7:10 PM in response to joeyaudio

I noticed on the installation for XP in Bootcamp that I need a mouse and a keyboard. Will just any USB 2.0 keyboard work?

one20

Level 1

0 points

Feb 26, 2008 9:28 PM in response to bomberaia

Please elaborate on the Revit and external hard drive comment. Just any old usb 2 hard drive connected to the computer will break the license?

Feb 26, 2008 9:58 PM in response to joeyaudio

Yes

Feb 26, 2008 10:00 PM in response to joeyaudio

I will also note that if you are a student, ALL Revit and Autodesk products ie. AutoCad 2008 can be downloaded for free through Autodesk here: http://students.autodesk.com

Feb 27, 2008 10:48 AM in response to one20

I'm not sure if it's 'any old hard drive' but there's a known bug where if you have certain driver issues with any external hard drive (USB or Firewire(I use both)) then it causes your licenses to become corrupt and your software becomes a 7 day trial.

inukbob

Level 1

10 points

Feb 28, 2008 4:31 PM in response to joeyaudio

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/ps/item?siteID=123112&id=9506795&linkID=924 0617
Hope this helps

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BootCamp and AutoCad for students