Autodesk provides many native Mac products for 3D modelling, CAD, rendering, animation, VFX and digital imagery. In addition, we provide full support for a number of products when used on the Mac in virtualised environments including Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion. Revit Generative Design Quickly generate design alternatives based on your goals, constraints, and inputs to give you higher-performing options for data-driven decision making. Note: this product requires Autodesk Revit 2021.
NOTICE: It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you are on at least Mac OSX Sierra (10.12) with 8 GB memory (RAM) and 100 GB of storage (hard drive) to reduce problems with the VM
This process will take a while and computer should be left on and awake. Also multiple parts require downloading different things so an internet connection is also required.
Installing VMware Fusion:
1.) Go to http://homeuse.rit.edu
2.) Click 'Continue to Software Portal'
3.) Login using your RIT account
4.) Click the 'VMware' tab
5.) Select the latest version of VMware Fusion
6.) Click 'Add to Cart'. It is free for students so do not worry about being charged.
Autodesk Fusion Download
7.) Select 'Check Out'
8.) Click the 'Download Button'
9.) Once the .dmg is downloaded, open it
10.) Double-click to install
11.) Go through the installation process and input your product key
Creating a Windows VM on Fusion
1.) Open up VMware Fusion, go to the top of the screen, and select 'File' → 'New...'
2.) Open https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO
3.) Choose edition (Window 10) and launguage
4.) Download 64 bit
5.) Once installed, drag the Windows .iso file into the VMware Fusion window
6.) Click continue
7.) Fill in the information you want your Windows VM account to have and insert your product key, and click continue.
8.) Choose your level of integration (it doesn't matter which one you choose for performance)
9.) Choose Customize Settings
10.) Go to 'Processors & Memory'
11.) Change Processors to at least 2 processor cores. The more cores, the better the VM will run... HOWEVER, do not give the VM the maxmimum number of cores for your system. Change the memory to at least 4096 MB (4 GB)
12.) Close out of Processors & Memory and go to VM settings
13.) Go to 'Hard Disk'
14.) Change the disk size. 100 GB is minimum space you should select however it is recommended if you can spare the space to change it to 200 GB
15.) Close out of Hard Disk and hit the play button
16.) Let Windows go through setup until you see the desktop (or lock screen)
Installing Revit on Windows
***It is HIGHLY recommended that you use Google Chrome. Microsoft Edge has been known to not run well on a Windows VM***
1.) Go to https://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/revit on the Windows machine.
2.) Sign in with your Autodesk account
Autodesk Revit Tutorials
3.) Select a version, Windows 64-Bit, and the language of your choice. Then click 'Install Now'
4.) Click 'Install'
5.) Click 'Download and Install this feature'. Let these features finish installing before launching Revit
6.) Click 'Launch Now'
7.) Select 'I agree'
8.) Enjoy!
![Autodesk Revit For Mac Vmware Fusion Autodesk Revit For Mac Vmware Fusion](/uploads/1/1/7/8/117805528/423655877.jpg)
Q. Why run Autodesk Revit on a Macbook Pro?
Answer: I like the MacBook Pro hardware, which is the main reason why I also want to run my primary professional applications on it. In fact, I 'run' Revit on my MacBook Air as well; read on...
Revit using Bootcamp
As many have known for years, for running Revit natively on Mac hardware, booting directly in to a Windows partition is the best in terms of performance. That is to be expected as you are simply using the Mac hardware as a high end PC. You however give up the Mac OS X goodness in doing so.
Revit using Virtual Machines
My article will focus on this section as I have done some research on the subject, and have results to share. My users 'need' to use Macbook Pro while traveling (for some Mac native apps) and also have to run design software (AutoCAD & Revit).
First thing to consider is the specs of the MBP you would select for this purpose.
I recommend buying the 15” MBP with a 'Discrete Graphics' card.
These models also have larger L3 cache, and Revit performance is sensitive to its size. You will also take advantage of the better specs running Revit using Bootcamp.
For our virtualization setup, I went with VMware Fusion over Parallels due to a slight edge in graphics performance.
Hardware considerations:
- Max out the RAM to 16GB when ordering the MBP
- Get the MacBook Pro with discrete video card - only available on 15” models with the Radeon R9 (2GB vRAM)
- For models with IG (integrated graphics), do consider the fact that the Video RAM will be taken out from the physical RAM. So, if you allocate 8GB RAM to the Virtual Machine, plus 1GB Video RAM, you have effectively taken away 9GB from the 16GB RAM (leaving only 7GB for the Mac OSX side!)
Autodesk Revit For Mac Vmware Fusion Pro
Virtual Machine settings:
- Allocate only 2 CPUs to the VM (For the most part, Revit only utilizes a single processing core at a time, though there are some tasks where multiple cores could be utilized).
- Allocate a max 50% RAM to the VM (8GB, if physical RAM is 16GB)
- Similarly, allocate a max 50% Video RAM to the VM
- For running 3D programs in the virtual environment, use DirectX (10 or 9) from the 3D acceleration menu, and install the VM Tools in Windows OS.
Note: see Parallels Performance Recommendations
Revit in the cloud (accessed via web browser)
Using Fra.me technology, you could access any Windows application running in the cloud from multitude of devices capable of running a modern browser.
The download speeds were amazing, since data exchange is directly between Frame and Autodesk servers. I was able to install Revit 2017 (without the Medium Material Library) in under 6 minutes!
Revit For Mac Download
Fra.me utilizes virtualization technology in the cloud and the VM's are running Windows Server 2012 R2.
My verdict after a quick trial - it's very doable, if you are well served by a high speed connection.
Do a trial, and when you are ready, do pick a pricing plan which allows for GPU usage to run Revit.
Run Revit using Remote Desktop (RDP)
Autodesk Fusion Free
This is a best option for me since I love to travel light. I just carry my MacBook Air and use the Microsoft provided 'app' Remote Desktop. If the wireless connectivity is sufficient, I can easily remote into my workstation and utilize the Revit installation remotely. Since I have the office VPN setup, I can do the same when outside the office.
Revit For Mac Os
Do remember to carry at least a standard two button wheel mouse, no matter which option you pick for running Revit on a MacBook Pro!
In all of the above scenarios, consider the licensing costs. Both Windows OS and Revit license will be needed in Bootcamp, VM and Fra.me options.
Autodesk Revit Student
The RDP option will not consume any extra licenses... Best of Luck!