Ok, I know this is not a feature request, it is a major request.
I would just be great to have the MAC version. Many of us, in the architecture field work on this platform and we have to rely on a PC to do our Ecotect work.
Although intel macs can boot on Windows and there will surelly be some virtulizacion packages, nothing would be like running Ecotect natively on OS X talking full advantage of the hardware, the OS and the MAC interface, and to be able to run other applications like Photoshop, or Vectorrworks or Sketch up (just to mention some) at the same time and side by side with ecotect.
If there are other macintosh users out there please show your support to this request. Make some noise !!
Best Regards,
Hector
ECOTECT OSX - (well not quite yet)
Hi Hector,
Basically I'd love to do a Mac version of ECOTECT. However, as a lot of the graphics in the current version are heavily tied to Windows GDI functions in order to get the speed, it won't be in any way an easy port - its a major rewrite from the ground up.
Having said that, I'm starting to understand OpenGL a lot better now having done substantial work on the visualisation features in v5.50. The next step is to update the WeatherTool so that it is entirely OpenGL / SVG driven. This applies to the SolarTool as well.
This way I'll sort out and develop a lot of the object selection and interactive manipulation routines I'll need to go entirely OpenGL in v6.0 of ECOTECT. This will break the link with GDI and make both the graphics engine and calculation functions pretty well OS independant.
That leaves just the interface stuff which is pretty straight-forward. Hopefully by then there will be better cross-platform compilers (such as Kylix supporting C++ and OSX) to make it a lot easier...
So unfortunately it won't happen in the short term, however its definitely in our future plans so, if your reading this, you may as well make some noise so we can gauge the likely support for it...
(While I'm on the subject of Macs, most of this site was actually developed on a little Mac mini. Because we travel around a fair bit, we just chuck it into a suitcase and then plug it into a power socket at the other end - a perfect little test server with SVN checking in all changes from our laptops. I'm mighty impressed - it was an absolute pain to set up initially but it hasn't missed a beat since and we're still using it as a test server).
Kind regards,
Andrew
Definitly a MAC OSX version
Definitly a MAC OSX version would go down a treat. The only reason I haven;t fully switched to a mac now is that I use Ecotect too much. (sad I know)
Mac version
Just adding my name to the call for Mac version. I heard Ecotect has ArchiCad integration now. Yet another reason for me to seriously look at Ecotect, but until there is a Mac version... I look forward to it.
definitely definitely
definitely definitely definitely put my name down for a mac version
More noise
Mac version, nudge, nudge.
You can't afford to ignore this significant market sectot
Many Architects use Macs, and in my experience these are the ones who are more interested in sustainable design (maybe it is a mindset issue).
ArchiCAD and VectorWorks both began on Macs and were then ported to PC's. Notwithstanding that most of their user bases are still Mac users. Having a Mac version with plug-in capabilities would be a major step forward for Ecotect.
OS X + Ecotect
I too await a Mac version of your fantastic program.. Version 6, you say?
Bit of an update on this
Bit of an update on this for everyone with some very interesting news...
Andrew has just gone and bought himself a new laptop!
Okay, nothing remarkable in that -- however this new laptop is a Mac!!
Yep, I never thought I would see it happen, but there you go. Of course the reason it has happened is as a result of Apple switching to intel chips, so technically this doesn't mean ECOTECT is running on a mac yet, but it is if you know what I mean
I will post a picture of his new box with ECOTECT up and running shortly.
BTW. initial reports from Andrew (having undertaken a couple of graphics card tweaks in the windows setup), is that ECOTECT runs amazingly fast and he (as yet) has never seen quicker/smoother openGL rendering as on his new Mac!
That indeed IS great
That indeed IS great news!
The fact that he has taken time to get his head around OpenGL is very encouraging. Don't worry, the call for an OSX version of Ecotect is still strong..
I too...
... would love a mac version of ECOTECT.
Mac Version
Our Company is currently assessing various environmental modeling packages for general design and analysis use for multi-family residential projects in our architectural practice. Ecotect looks quite interesting to us, but only if it ran natively on the Mac OS.
As newer Mac workstations use Intel processors, we would be interested in knowing how close we were to seeing a Mac version release?
Good luck,
Andrew Bobyn M.Arch, MAIBC
Cornerstone Architecture
Vancouver, BC
Vectorworks Plugin
In addition to a Native Mac version of Ecotect a Vectorworks Plugin would also be very much appreciated.
Andrew Bobyn M.Arch, MAIBC
Cornerstone Architecture
Vancouver, BC
What if....
Now that Ecotect for Mac seems to be less of a dream and more a possibilitty, what about this:
Why not to set up an Open Beta program for the Mac version?. This seems to be a formula followed by other software manufacturers.
You could create a registration to download a time fixed beta build so members of the mac community could test the software and report back, say, to a private section in the forums?. Subsequent beta releases could be made available by download once improvements have been done.
Once the software is ready then you put in your store as usual and the timed betas would have already expired.
This will help you to have a robust testing and quicker identification of bugs and platform related issues.
You will get a lot of exposure on the mac side (read also mac related press, forums etc) and help to create momentum for the release.
You could include a confidentiality agreement if required.
You would give us the opportunity to help bringing this software to our platform.
This is exactly how the process of porting Rhino to the Mac is currently being carried out.
I am sure many would be interested.
Regards
Hector
Mac too
I currently have been using Ecotect with Virtual PC on an older PowerBook, it works, but as other users it would be of a greater improvement for me to get Ecotect on OSX,
especially when using Archicad and other OSX applications.
So hold on with OSX-porting.
I support Hectors point
peace
Xavier
Sustainable Design
Intel is the answer.
I am also a mac user.
I am using Virtual PC as well (on a 2.1 G5 mac 1.5g ram), Ecotect runs ok, but it's getting slow on complex buildings while modeling and analysing. I understand the difficulties programming the software for PowerPC architecture, but now with Intel-based processors the a mac version should be easier to be done. Maybe that's the right time to do a mac version.
I am sure Dr. Marsh and the squ1 research team knows best when that can be actually done. I also agree with Hector's idea.
However, will be waiting..
Konstantinos Tolias
Sustainable Buildings' Designer.
Release date?
Any news about the Macintosh release?
BTW, Ecotect displays buildings in a fashion very similar to SketchUp. Has Ecotect incorporated any of SU code?
>> BTW, Ecotect displays
>> BTW, Ecotect displays buildings in a fashion
but what you notice that looks similar is that both SketchUp and ECOTECT use OpenGL which is a type of graphics display.
>> very similar to SketchUp. Has Ecotect
>> incorporated any of SU code?
No, all our code is our own
No news at the mo. on a macintosh release BTW -- but will definately update here when I hear anything from dev.
Please search before posting a question.
Yes Mac version please
Our company would be very interested in a Mac version! Not interested in running the Windows version on Mac.
Mac Os X version.
The only issue of not having ecotect is that it's not available for mac os...
It's on our list of softwares to buy...but...a Mac version soon please!!
PC convert says Go MAC!
Until then I will be trying to make it go on Parallels.
Mac Please!!
Yes - A Mac version would be awesome
A Mac version..
I visit the site, each time hoping for a news update.
For those of you already using Ecotect on your Mac's, which of the two is better: VM Ware or Parallels?
The only reason I'd buy either of them is to run Ecotect (which also means buying a copy of Windows), which I'd rather not do especially if the Mac version is only months away..
No more hope.
In view of the latest news, and as the originator of this post, I think we can forget about this.
I declare this post dead.
Mac advocate
I would love to see a OSX version of ecotect. I currently run it on my mac using a virtual machine, and the only reason I run a vitual machine is for Ecotect, everything else I do on my mac side.