The first release of Creo was over 5 years ago. Since that initial release, many elements have been changed and improved, from new capabilities like additive manufacturing tools to an improved UI. Even though Creo has drastically evolved, one thing has remained the same: it is only available for Windows.
While this may not be a huge deal breaker for some users, many designers prefer to use Macs. If you use a Mac, you may feel you need to invest in a Windows machine or simply switch to another CAD solution, but that is not the case. Here is how you can get Creo for Mac.
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It’s not exactly Creo for Mac
PTC has not released a Mac version of their Creo products, but it is possible to run PTC Creo on a Mac. You have a few options based on the type of Mac you have:
- Intel Macs: Run the Windows operating system on your Mac using Boot Camp
- Apple Silicon Macs (M Chips): Run a local Windows/Creo virtual machine on your Mac using Parallels
- Any Mac: Run or use a remote Windows/Creo virtual machine via XenDesktop
PTC has not released Creo products compatible with OS X, however, you can run PTC Creo on Mac.
Boot Camp: Run Windows in Older (Pre-2023) Macs
Boot Camp is the ideal solution for Intel-based Macs. Boot Camp is a native Mac feature that allows you to install Windows in a dual-boot configuration. This means you can simply run the Windows operating system on your Mac device. You can only use Windows or macOS on your machine, one at a time, but you get the full computing power of your Mac to run Creo. This only works on Intel-based Macs, which were largely retired in 2023 (see below for options for M chip Macs).
If you are working with Creo on a daily basis, you don’t want to be limited or slowed down due to performance issues. Boot Camp provides you with the highest performance options without having to purchase another machine or use performance-limiting virtualization.
Boot Camp allows you to run PTC Creo on Mac by installing the Windows operating system.
Plus, installing Boot Camp is simple:
- Backup your computer (always better to be safe than sorry).
- Open the Boot Camp Assistant application (press Command+Space, type “Boot Camp”, press enter).
- The assistant will walk you through the setup process, including partitioning and downloading drivers, and then will start the installer.
- When partitioning, keep in mind how much space you want to allocate to each operating system (consider the applications you will be using on each and various file sizes).
- After installation, your computer will automatically reboot, and you will have the standard Windows installer.
- Continue the setup process (skipping over steps that require internet access).
- Once back on the desktop, the Boot Camp installer should appear, at which point you can install all your drivers and then Creo as per normal.
- Done!
Whenever you reboot your Mac, it will still run macOS by default. To boot using Windows, simply press the Option key while your computer is turning on, and you will be given the option to boot macOS or Windows.
Parallels: Virtualize Windows Locally in Newer Macs
For newer Apple Silicon-based Macs (M Chips, on Macs released after June 2023), you’ll want to run Windows as a program within macOS and then run Creo through that software. Parallels is the most practical option and is authorized by Microsoft to run Windows 11 on ARM. This can be a particularly helpful solution for users who want to stay on macOS hardware while still having access to Windows-only applications, whether that’s Creo or something else.
Performance in the virtualized environment will vary based on your Mac, your Windows configuration, and the size and complexity of the Creo models you work with most. Most users are fine working this way for lighter tasks; however, Creo power users or teams working with larger assemblies or more demanding graphics workloads may still prefer a dedicated Windows workstation or remote desktop setup.
We recommend testing the free trial version of Creo on Parallels before committing to ensure the performance will be acceptable for the assemblies you use most often.
Parallels allows M Chip Mac users to run Windows virtually on their machines.
Creo Includes “Citrix-Ready” Mac Compatibility
PTC does offer another option for users. They have updated their software compatibility so you can run PTC Creo on a Mac without installing additional software. This is done by running Creo on a remote Windows machine and accessing it from your Mac. This approach can make sense for teams that want centralized IT control, stronger data protection, and more predictable performance for heavier engineering workloads. It can also be a smart option when local virtualization is not the right fit for the user’s hardware or model complexity.
Since the release of Creo 3.0, PTC verified that some of its most popular software is “Citrix-Ready.” This includes:
This means that these applications can be run using virtualized desktops on an IBM server through a Citrix- and NVIDIA-powered integration. Essentially, the software is running on another server and getting projected over to your machine via XenDesktop.
Starting with Creo 3.0, PTC offered its most popular software as “Citrix-Ready”.
Benefits of Going with Remote Virtualization for Creo
There are a few non-obvious benefits to taking advantage of remote virtualization, whether or not you do so to allow the use of Mac or Windows machines:
- Improved Performance: Using the complete “Citrix Ready” integration boosts the performance for heavy-duty engineering software compared to standard virtualized desktops, which might otherwise be too slow for working on large assemblies.
- Simplify IT Administration: Rather than having to install software updates on each machine individually, global teams can simply get the latest software by updating a single server.
- Increased IP Protection: This integration ensures additional IP protection. Company data is maintained on servers rather than on local machines, helping organizations avoid potential breaches.
- Efficient Collaboration: Having access to all of your data on one server can actually improve the user experience and increase speed, rather than being forced to load data across a network, and improve collaboration between internal and external teams who can both access the data at the same time.
Viewing and Sketching Supported on iOS
While not Macs, Apple’s iPhones and iPads are ubiquitous, and PTC has released a couple of apps for these devices to allow for better collaboration, casual viewing of CAD files, and sketching:
- Creo View Mobile (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch running iOS 5.0 and above): allows users to view 3D Creo models on their mobile devices, including CAD designs created using other software and then published using Creo View.
Getting Started: PTC Creo on Mac
Setting up the virtualized environment can be confusing, especially if you have a complicated server network. Or, you may not be sure which solution is best for your particular needs. We have tons of experience working with all of the PTC software products, so if you’re looking for some assistance getting started with PTC Creo on Mac or in other virtualized environments, contact us.
