FAQ: macOS 10.13 High Sierra and Pyware
Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2017 1:55 pm
Look for Mr. Green to introduce each question that will inevitably come up.
What is Mac OS 10.13 High Sierra?
10.13 is the newest version of the Mac OS. While it might look the same as prior versions of the macOS, there are lots of under the hood improvements. See https://www.apple.com/macos/high-sierra-preview/ for information.
What are the system requirements for 10.13 El Capitan?
Officially, if you have one of these, you can run 10.13. It's the same list as 10.12 Sierra's, so no Macs were thrown out this time.
MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
iMac (Late 2009 or newer)
Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
Is there anything I need to do before upgrading to 10.13?
I don't know yet, as High Sierra is in beta. This is being left intentionally blank. However, the same advice to DEACTIVATE PYWARE is likely what needs to be done before upgrading.
What versions of Pyware are working under Mac OS 10.13?
I have enough information (as of July 12, 2017) to state what should work:
Pyware V6 (unsupported due to old Java)
Pyware V7 (same as V6)
Pyware 8.0.0 (same as V6)
Pyware "later than 8.0.0" V8 (supported)
Pyware V9 (supported)
The old MRJ Java is still unsupported.
Wait...no official support for the old Java?
Yep. There is no longer official support, so anything from Pyware 8.0.0 on down can not be really supported at all under macOS 10.12 and later. Dustin, Mark, and everyone else at Pyware might not be able to fix the problem you might have from future use now under the current macOS. This is truly uncharted waters for all of us in drill designing.
Right now, though, the legacy Java will install, which means the older versions of Pyware will launch. Be aware of a few things, though. First, it isn't supported by either Apple or Pygraphics. Second, if something breaks down the road, it might be unfixable and require you to upgrade to continue usage on the Mac.
Here is the link to the legacy Java install.
https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1572?locale=en_US
AGAIN, you are unsupported by doing this and may have to downgrade back to 10.12 if you continue to use the older versions of Pyware.
Can I dual boot into Windows 10 and use just one installation license for the entire Mac?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: Each OS under the Mac is treated as a different computer under Pyware. So each OS will need its own install or full blown license. Also, while it does run in Parallels, it doesn't see the registration you did under the Windows partition. Since there is a full-fledged Mac version, it's silly to do this. BUT...I wanted to try it because someone might ask.
Is there anything that won't work under 10.13 Sierra?
MacRumors has you covered. So go to their 10.13 forum and click any of the sticky posts there. Be warned that you might have to dig around. Or check this one out, that details everything to date that works/doesn't work:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ma ... d.2048660/
Can I screen record under 10.13?
Yes! See the very next post in this topic for screen recording under QuickTime X for Mac.
There are lots of other screen recording options for Mac also. Check them out. You might find one that is perfect for you.
What is Metal 2? Can I use it?
Metal is a framework that bypasses a crapton of OpenGL code that just sucks on the Mac. Let's be brutal for a moment--OpenGL is not a good thing for us, but it's the best we have.
However, there is good news--EXTERNAL GPU's will be allowed under 10.13 as the framework is there under Metal 2. If you Mac has any kind of Thunderbolt port (even T1), you might be able to enjoy a Mac-compatible graphics card in an external enclosure connected via the T-bolt port. Even my infamous Mac mini 2011 model with the Radeon chip will have a sudden second life. This has been CONFIRMED via MacRumors' message boards. (NOTE: I have now received conflicting information. Stay in a holding pattern and I apologize for any inconvenience.)
So get ready for 10.13 with an external GPU enclosure and the best Mac/Win hybrid video card you can buy.
I HATE YOU! WHERE CAN I FIND A GPU FOR AN EXTERNAL ENCLOSURE???? AND AN ENCLOSURE???? AND THUNDERBOLT CABLES?????
Good heavens, you are screaming at me! Stop it!
All righty, there are several locations that can give Mac-compatible cards. Some are services that flash your GPU with a Mac ROM and others have a Mac ROM native to it. So, without taking the risk a flashed-card site offers (they might go under), I will link to Other World Computing for their graphics cards:
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/video/video-cards
This is the best of the cards I can see right now: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Sapphire/100352MAC2/ however, that can change at any time.
As for enclosures, look carefully here for some help: https://gpunerd.com/external-gpu-buyers-guide-egpu
Thunderbolt 3 will not work for Tbolt 1 or 2. Tbolt 2 is, afaik, backwards compatible with Tbolt 1. Apple might even make an enclosure, but chances are it'll be Tbolt 3 or USB to match the new laptop lineups. At this point, all I can say is "Macrumors says it is working."
Hey, thanks a bunch! You saved my butt.
You're welcome. If you'd like to you can follow me on Twitter (MilitaryDrills) or like me on Facebook (G S Bailey Drill Designs) or even click the Youtube link in my signature to subscribe. Or not. I won't be mad if you don't do it.
What is Mac OS 10.13 High Sierra?
10.13 is the newest version of the Mac OS. While it might look the same as prior versions of the macOS, there are lots of under the hood improvements. See https://www.apple.com/macos/high-sierra-preview/ for information.
What are the system requirements for 10.13 El Capitan?
Officially, if you have one of these, you can run 10.13. It's the same list as 10.12 Sierra's, so no Macs were thrown out this time.
MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)
Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)
iMac (Late 2009 or newer)
Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)
Is there anything I need to do before upgrading to 10.13?
I don't know yet, as High Sierra is in beta. This is being left intentionally blank. However, the same advice to DEACTIVATE PYWARE is likely what needs to be done before upgrading.
What versions of Pyware are working under Mac OS 10.13?
I have enough information (as of July 12, 2017) to state what should work:
Pyware V6 (unsupported due to old Java)
Pyware V7 (same as V6)
Pyware 8.0.0 (same as V6)
Pyware "later than 8.0.0" V8 (supported)
Pyware V9 (supported)
The old MRJ Java is still unsupported.
Wait...no official support for the old Java?
Yep. There is no longer official support, so anything from Pyware 8.0.0 on down can not be really supported at all under macOS 10.12 and later. Dustin, Mark, and everyone else at Pyware might not be able to fix the problem you might have from future use now under the current macOS. This is truly uncharted waters for all of us in drill designing.
Right now, though, the legacy Java will install, which means the older versions of Pyware will launch. Be aware of a few things, though. First, it isn't supported by either Apple or Pygraphics. Second, if something breaks down the road, it might be unfixable and require you to upgrade to continue usage on the Mac.
Here is the link to the legacy Java install.
https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1572?locale=en_US
AGAIN, you are unsupported by doing this and may have to downgrade back to 10.12 if you continue to use the older versions of Pyware.
Can I dual boot into Windows 10 and use just one installation license for the entire Mac?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: Each OS under the Mac is treated as a different computer under Pyware. So each OS will need its own install or full blown license. Also, while it does run in Parallels, it doesn't see the registration you did under the Windows partition. Since there is a full-fledged Mac version, it's silly to do this. BUT...I wanted to try it because someone might ask.
Is there anything that won't work under 10.13 Sierra?
MacRumors has you covered. So go to their 10.13 forum and click any of the sticky posts there. Be warned that you might have to dig around. Or check this one out, that details everything to date that works/doesn't work:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ma ... d.2048660/
Can I screen record under 10.13?
Yes! See the very next post in this topic for screen recording under QuickTime X for Mac.
There are lots of other screen recording options for Mac also. Check them out. You might find one that is perfect for you.
What is Metal 2? Can I use it?
Metal is a framework that bypasses a crapton of OpenGL code that just sucks on the Mac. Let's be brutal for a moment--OpenGL is not a good thing for us, but it's the best we have.
However, there is good news--EXTERNAL GPU's will be allowed under 10.13 as the framework is there under Metal 2. If you Mac has any kind of Thunderbolt port (even T1), you might be able to enjoy a Mac-compatible graphics card in an external enclosure connected via the T-bolt port. Even my infamous Mac mini 2011 model with the Radeon chip will have a sudden second life. This has been CONFIRMED via MacRumors' message boards. (NOTE: I have now received conflicting information. Stay in a holding pattern and I apologize for any inconvenience.)
So get ready for 10.13 with an external GPU enclosure and the best Mac/Win hybrid video card you can buy.
I HATE YOU! WHERE CAN I FIND A GPU FOR AN EXTERNAL ENCLOSURE???? AND AN ENCLOSURE???? AND THUNDERBOLT CABLES?????
Good heavens, you are screaming at me! Stop it!
All righty, there are several locations that can give Mac-compatible cards. Some are services that flash your GPU with a Mac ROM and others have a Mac ROM native to it. So, without taking the risk a flashed-card site offers (they might go under), I will link to Other World Computing for their graphics cards:
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/video/video-cards
This is the best of the cards I can see right now: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Sapphire/100352MAC2/ however, that can change at any time.
As for enclosures, look carefully here for some help: https://gpunerd.com/external-gpu-buyers-guide-egpu
Thunderbolt 3 will not work for Tbolt 1 or 2. Tbolt 2 is, afaik, backwards compatible with Tbolt 1. Apple might even make an enclosure, but chances are it'll be Tbolt 3 or USB to match the new laptop lineups. At this point, all I can say is "Macrumors says it is working."
Hey, thanks a bunch! You saved my butt.
You're welcome. If you'd like to you can follow me on Twitter (MilitaryDrills) or like me on Facebook (G S Bailey Drill Designs) or even click the Youtube link in my signature to subscribe. Or not. I won't be mad if you don't do it.