OCAD on Mac OS X

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OCAD is a Windows software.
However, running OCAD on an Intel-based Mac is possible in different ways. We tested it with a Virtual Machine (VirtualBox) and VMWare Fusion.

Virtual Machines

OCAD can be run perfectly within a virtual machine.

hint OCAD runs also with Parallels Desktop for Mac. Please note that Windows needs 2 GB RAM or more that OCAD works stable.

VMware Fusion

As in contrast to Virtual box VMWare Fusion is not free but more stable. We have installed Windows 8.1 with VMWare Fusion on Mac OS X 10.9. You can work with OCAD/Windows in the so called single Window Mode or complete transparent in the Unity mode.

hint VMWare Fusion is enough to use OCAD. OCAD does not need VMWare Fusion Pro.

Screenshots from the OCAD:

Single Window Mode

VMWare MacOSX SingleWindowMode.png

Unity Window Mode

VMWare MacOSX UnityWindowMode.png


Virtual Box

The advantage of VirtualBox is that it is free. Well, at least the software is free but you will need a Windows license in addition which can cause costs. To show how it looks like, we installed VirtualBox on a MacBook Pro with Mac OS X Mountain Lion and took some screenshots.

Installation:

MacOSX1.PNG

Activation:

MacOSX3.PNG

Run OCAD in Seamless Mode:

MacOSX4.PNG

Run OCAD in Scale Mode:

MacOSX5.PNG

Run OCAD in Fullscreen Mode:

MacOSX6.JPG

VirtualBox can also be used with Linux and Solaris systems as a host.

Comparison Virtual Machines

Our exprience shows that VMWare Fusion is approx. 30-40% more performant than VirtualBox

Problems

At the moment, there are no OCAD problems known.

CrossOver

OCAD can be installed on CrossOver.
Before you start the installation process, you have to download the installer using the link given by OCAD.

As OCAD is not part of the standard apps, you have to use to install an application not listed.
Wait to press "install" and edit first the two elements shown in "Details".
1. Installation file: Choose the installer (probably in your download folder).
2. Choose a new "bottle", name it "OCAD" and choose Windows 11 as bottle type.

Click now on "install". The installation process starts. After about 2–3 minutes, the process bar does not go futher and the button changes into "Cancel". Cancel the process.
Check element 2 above and choose the bottle "OCAD" now instead of a new bottle. Click "install" again.
After a few moments, the normal OCAD installation process starts with "windows" popups.

Starting OCAD will run the activation process of OCAD. At the end of the starting process, OCAD will show a warning: "Internal Error: OCADBlogDlg.Command: Can not load blog post Webinar ...". Just click OK. OCAD is trying to open Edge here, which is (obviously) not installed.
OCAD is running smoothly within CrossOver (using Wine), but not Commands using Edge (e.g. using openMap windows to change declination angle).

Alternatively, you could install wine on your Mac and OCAD within wine afterwards. If you are not used to work with the terminal, CrossOver will be much easier.

Credits goes to Markus Schenker for this documentation (March 2026).

BootCamp

OCAD can also be run on a Mac with help of BootCamp.

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