Autodesk for Mac M1: Understanding the Challenges and Workarounds

For those who use Autodesk software on their Macs, the shift to Apple's M1 chip has been a topic of interest and concern. The base model starts at around $2000 USD, which may seem steep for some users. However, the issue is not just about pricing; it's also about performance.

The ShapeManager kernel, which powers AutoCAD and Inventor, has its roots in ACIS version 7, dating back to 2001. This underlying technology may be a factor in why Autodesk is taking its time to release a native M1 chip-ready version of AutoCAD for Mac.

For users like myself, who are based in India and face the added burden of import taxes on Apple products, the wait can be frustrating. The cost of adopting an M1 MacBook, for instance, becomes even more prohibitive.

One might wonder why Autodesk is taking its time to release a native M1 chip-ready version of AutoCAD for Mac. A possible reason could be the complexity of porting the software to the new architecture. Revit, another popular Autodesk product, has been experiencing issues on M1 MacBooks. While it works decently in some cases, I personally found it to be lacking in performance.

In my experience, installing Parallels and running Windows 10 on an M1 MacBook didn't yield the desired results. However, after resetting my macOS and reinstalling Parallels and Windows 10, Revit began working smoothly. This led me to speculate that the issue might have been related to the lack of a recent Net Framework update in Windows 10 ARM.

After upgrading to Windows 11, I received the necessary Net Framework update, which resolved the issues with Revit. Interestingly, when I tested Revit on an M1 MacBook running Windows 11, it worked without any hiccups.

In conclusion, while there are challenges involved in using Autodesk software on M1 MacBooks, workarounds like Parallels and upgrading to Windows 11 can help resolve the issues. As more users transition to Apple's new architecture, we can expect Autodesk to optimize its software for better performance and compatibility.

Autodesk for mac m1