If Apple asked "you" what apps you would like that are not available on the Mac...

[Darth_Apple]

.. what would they be? and why?

To narrow it a bit you can only choose 3 apps that you personally could use that are not available or 3 apps that you would like to see that you may not use but you know it would help bring in more market share.

(note: this isn't to convince software companies to create or port there apps, instead it's to have Apple create similar apps that are user friendly)

The apps I wish would be available are:

AutoCad -> my girlfriend uses it alot and if it were available for a Mac she would switch just like me (well she'll probably switch anyways.. :D)

Sap2000 -> Same reason as above.

those are the 2 that I think are most important, that way (Civil) Engineers would be inclined to switch to Macs.

Well that's my 2 cents, I would love to hear (or in this case read) what you guys and gals think!!

Btw this is just hipotetical (sp?)

[Ive]

SolidWorks should be nice...

And the Windows media 10 codec

[troberts]

I like Access, but I know Microsoft will not create a version for the Mac. Their web site says there is not enough demand for them to port it, but I think it is because having a Mac version of Access would make it easier for people to move to the Mac since it is one of the "must-have-Windows-only" applications. I am sure there are technical reasons that would make it difficult to port, but nothing Microsoft can't do if they put an honest effort into it.

Hopefully, Apple will create a database that is a true RDMS, not a flat-file like the one that comes with AppleWorks. Two things I would like this database to have is support for ObjC and use IB for the UI.

[Mr. Me]

Originally posted by troberts
I like Access, but I know Microsoft will not create a version for the Mac. Their web site says there is not enough demand for them to port it, but I think it is because having a Mac version of Access would make it easier for people to move to the Mac since it is one of the "must-have-Windows-only" applications. I am sure there are technical reasons that would make it difficult to port, but nothing Microsoft can't do if they put an honest effort into it.

Hopefully, Apple will create a database that is a true RDMS, not a flat-file like the one that comes with AppleWorks. Two things I would like this database to have is support for ObjC and use IB for the UI. Oh, for heaven's sake. Access is a POS that could never succeed in the marketplace on its own merits. If Microsoft had not bundled it in Office from the start, it would be remembered less fundly than Bob. If you want an Apple-developed RDMS, FileMaker is a wonderful product. The RDMS from the Apple subsidiary is but one of several professional RDMSes on the Mac. Like FileMaker, 4th Dimension is a cross-platform DBMS from a veteran Mac developer. If these are too rich for your blood, look no further than the Developer Tools CD that shipped with your computer or OS. It contains fully-functional OpenBase. You can't beat the price.

[mynamehere]

Originally posted by Mr. Me
Oh, for heaven's sake. Access is a POS that could never succeed in the marketplace on its own merits. If Microsoft had not bundled it in Office from the start, it would be remembered less fundly than Bob. If you want an Apple-developed RDMS, FileMaker is a wonderful product. The RDMS from the Apple subsidiary is but one of several professional RDMSes on the Mac. Like FileMaker, 4th Dimension is a cross-platform DBMS from a veteran Mac developer. If these are too rich for your blood, look no further than the Developer Tools CD that shipped with your computer or OS. It contains fully-functional OpenBase. You can't beat the price.

He's not debating that Access is a POS. He's saying some people need it regardless of what else is available.

[dwright86]

MSN 7.5. Yep I realise we have Messenger for Mac, but it sucks real bad.

I have the most amazing of computers (iMac G5 iSight) that I do heaps of cool things with. I've never regretted switching, but talking to my friends online is a big deal to me, and having MSN with iSight support would make my Mac experience totally complete. but instead not having this option is the only negative I have encountered since switching to Mac pre-Christmas.

Dan

[Gene Clean]

nm - mods pls delete this.

[Gene Clean]

1. KOffice 2.0.
2. FULL Windows Media Codec 10+ support.
3. uTorrent.
4. K3B
5. Foobar

[tilt]

1. Something like Microsoft Streets and Trips, preferably with GPS support
2. Project Management App that can not only read, but also write MS-Project files (.mpp)
3. A spreadsheet as part of iWork that can read and write Excel files if needed

These are the three I would give my first-born for.

Oh, and for Yahoo Messenger to start supporting voice chat on MacOSX!

Cheers

[kim kap sol]

A good PSX and N64 emulator.

[yama]

Originally posted by kim kap sol
A good PSX and N64 emulator.

SixtyForce (http://www.sixtyforce.com/) was updated recently you know...

There's also Mupen64, which gives pretty good results. As far as PSX emulators are concerned though - it's all gone downhill ever since Sony bought over Connetix Virtual Game Station.

edit: I was messing around looking for a link to Mupen64 (http://mupen64.emulation64.com/down.htm) and I found out it was a universal binary already in November 2005!

[troberts]

Originally posted by Mr. Me
If these are too rich for your blood, look no further than the Developer Tools CD that shipped with your computer or OS. It contains fully-functional OpenBase. You can't beat the price.
I looked at the packages in my Tiger DVD and I was not able to find the OpenBase installation package so I went to the OpenBase web site and downloaded the latest version for OS X which includes administration tools. I also saw OpenBase has Objective-C interface APIs. From what little I have read I think OpenBase is what I am looking for and will keep me busy for a while.

[spooky]

3D Studio MAX - Its the only thing that we have a suite of PCs left for. If this was available for MacOS then we could go 100% Mac . . . maybe.

[Kashimash]

Solidworks, AutoCAD and 3DSMAX

[kim kap sol]

Originally posted by yama

edit: I was messing around looking for a link to Mupen64 (http://mupen64.emulation64.com/down.htm) and I found out it was a universal binary already in November 2005!

This isn't quite true. The Universal Binary only got released less than a month ago while the 0.5 PPC version has been around since about Nov 2005.

Mupen is not what I'd consider a "good N64 emulator". I'm looking for a good one.

[MoonShadow]

1. Microsoft Money (Quicken kinda sucks)
2. AutoDesk G.I.S. Software

Don't know of anymore.

[Frank777]

Originally posted by tilt
1. Something like Microsoft Streets and Trips, preferably with GPS support
2. Project Management App that can not only read, but also write MS-Project files (.mpp)
3. A spreadsheet as part of iWork that can read and write Excel files if needed

These are the three I would give my first-born for.

Oh, and for Yahoo Messenger to start supporting voice chat on MacOSX!

Cheers

1. Absolutely.

2. It's already here. (http://www.app4mac.com/xtimeproject.html) And since Apple is listed as a user, it must be good.

3. It's coming in January. It has to be....

[tilt]

Originally posted by Frank777
2. It's already here. (http://www.app4mac.com/xtimeproject.html) And since Apple is listed as a user, it must be good.

Thanks for the link Frank.

Cheers

[hmurchison]

1. Adobe Premiere Pro
2. Adobe Audition
3. Chief Architect

[BigBlue]

1. 3DS MAX
2. Spreadsheet in iWork
3. Maya (yeah, it's OSX, but for how long now Autodesk has bought it ?)
4. Database in iWork
5. AutoCAD, not because it's the best (because it isn't), but because it's an industry standard. Like it or not. (Same more or less for 3DS Max, BTW.)

[kenaustus]

1. Fill out iWork fully so it can totally replace AppleWorks. Include a spreadsheet and a FileMaker Jr. database.

2. An easy Firewire based syncing app that will let me keep my iMac and PB in sync.

3. Purchase Parallels and bring it up to a high standard - and drive MS nuts.

4. Aperture Jr. for us less talented.

[SS3 GokouX]

1., 2., and 3. 3ds max. I'm thinking about getting a new iMac purely for Boot Camp, but I don't want to be slowed down in Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects (at least FCS is universal).

[Frank777]

Originally posted by kenaustus
2. An easy Firewire based syncing app that will let me keep my iMac and PB in sync.

It is unbelievable to me that fifteen years after the first Powerbook, a full decade into the email revolution and on the verge of the fifth revision to OS X, there is still no way to reliably synchronize one's email between a Power Mac and a PowerBook.

It renders a second computer next to useless, and makes working on the go more confusing (and we switched to Macs to avoid such confusion.)

Lastly, it costs Apple sales, by locking many users into choosing to work either at a Laptop or Desktop, when they could be owners of both.

If RIM's Blackberry can sync messages reliably, why can't Apple's products?

[Macvault]

I want...

1) Quicken (Windows version) for OS X. Yes, I know about Quicken for Mac - but it SUCKS! They're like two totally different apps.

2) Microsoft Money.

[stustanley]

i have just one:

ProDesktop (3d modelling program)

nice and easy to use but powerful at the same time.

stu

[icfireball]

Originally posted by kenaustus
4. Aperture Jr. for us less talented.

They call it "iPhoto"

[RolandG]

Originally posted by Frank777
It is unbelievable to me that fifteen years after the first Powerbook, a full decade into the email revolution and on the verge of the fifth revision to OS X, there is still no way to reliably synchronize one's email between a Power Mac and a PowerBook.

It renders a second computer next to useless, and makes working on the go more confusing (and we switched to Macs to avoid such confusion.)

Lastly, it costs Apple sales, by locking many users into choosing to work either at a Laptop or Desktop, when they could be owners of both.

Your email synching problems should be solved by using the IMAP protocol: The messages remain on the server. They can be downloaded for working on the go and changes can be synched the next time you are online.

Apple's own Mail.app does seem to ommit some IMAP features, though.

I'd be delighted if someone could explain to me how to subscribe to and unsubscribe from IMAP folders in Mail.app or recommend an other fully IMAP-capable email-client besides Thunderbird.

There is a feature in OS X Server that covers most portable synching needs which I think they should also make available in the regular version. Or maybe they could release a home/small business server version (maybe up to 5 clients) that make it easy to administer small (home/SoHo) networks as well as manage all of the digital media content in a household... one can dream.

From Apple's OS X Server website
Network and Portable Home Directories
You can also use Workgroup Manager to provide network-based home directories, so users can access their own personalized desktop, applications and files from any computer on the network — or use them to back up their work. With Mac OS X Server v10.4, PowerBook and iBook users can now enjoy synchronized versions of home directory folders locally and on the network. When a user goes offline, her home directory goes with her, so she can continue to work just as if she would back at the office. When she reconnects to the network, Mac OS X automatically syncs up selected content in her local home directory with the one on the server.

[skybolt]

I totally agree with the thoughts about Streets & Trips, but would definately NOT want Microsoft -- I dislike ANYTHING Microsoft -- too user unfriendly. Delorme makes a great product (Street Atlas), but no longer for macs -- that product is far superior, in my opinion, than any other mapping for any platform. I could even get my husband to switch if he could get that!

I also agree that Quicken for macs is horrible -- we need something better. MSMoney is good, but again, won't use anything MS.

Just my two cents!

[a_greer]

VISIO

VISIO


and

VISIO


OOo/staroffice OSX native, none of this 3rd party hack-a-day Neooffice crap

And lets think the other way for a second: APPLE GIVE US A GOD DAMND KEYNOTE PRESENTER FOR WINDOWS...Timed QT videos dont cut it out here in the real world.

[Aquatic]

GIS software...and yeah an N64 emulator! Ok off to check back on sixtyforce...crap I should be writing a paper!

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by Darth_Apple
.. what would they be? and why?

AutoCad -> my girlfriend uses it alot and if it were available for a Mac she would switch just like me (well she'll probably switch anyways.. :D)


I don't intend to sound like a mac fanboy here, since I wouldn't mind if most of these programs were available on the mac either. I'm more intent on trying to help folks looking for mac equivalents.


CAD Tools:

I get the feeling that the only people who know about FormZ are people who already use it, as well as EIAS users. It can do DWG, DXF, and a zillion other formats, has 2D and 3D capabilities, and *gasp* has an exhaustive set of parametric tools. Autodesk's shocking lack of anything parametric should be enough to label it as "worthless." Why anyone still uses AutoCAD (or 3DSMAX) is a mystery to me.

As for SolidWorks, yeah, that's a nice one to have, but mostly for the analysis tools and those sorts of things. It seems, though, that it's not unlikely that SolidWorks will at some point show up on the mac. ProE/ProDesktop probably won't, but seriously, if you can't do it in FormZ or the potential SolidWorks version for mac, then it's something that can't be done.

Visio:

I have it on my PC and I use Illustrator instead. Maybe you've found the secret to make Visio not such a pain in the ass -- please share (I'm serious). Even so, OmniGraffle is a pretty solid Visio clone on the mac.


Personally, I'd like to see a standalone tex program similar to the likes of lyx. I'd also like to have the Xilinx ISE on the mac, but that's not going to happen, since macs don't have parallel ports anyway! There is a version of the ISE for Linux, however.

[Aquatic]

I like that idea of encouraging anyone that knows of worthy equivalents to share.

If anyone knows of a GIS app for Mac PLEASE tell me I will be eternally indebted.

And NO, Grass or whatever the crap that open source stuff is...does not count. I tried it. Last week. Junk.

[Splinemodel]

I figure I'll add one more: Allegro :lol:

If Allegro and the Xilinx ISO were on the mac, I'd never need to use a PC, but I'm not holding my breath.

[a_greer]

Originally posted by Splinemodel

Visio:

I have it on my PC and I use Illustrator instead. Maybe you've found the secret to make Visio not such a pain in the ass -- please share (I'm serious). Even so, OmniGraffle is a pretty solid Visio clone on the mac.
Yes, Visio may be a pain, and accually a little overwheming for first timers, but using illistrator for topology layout, DFDs, flowcharts and the like would be like using a sledge hammer to drive a nail on which you will hang a photo. There is also a world of lockin, TONS, and I mean thousands of stencils are made for Visio, I would rather pay $200 for Visio:mac than convert my collection of ~1500 Cisco/Adtran/HP/Dell/IBM hardware icons, the ~500 generic logos (think Hocky-Puck routers) and all of the general purpose templates that MS includes to work with a differant tool like Graffle.

And as to the "make visio not such a pain in the ass" request: buy a book, hell I will sell you mine, it is acctually really straight forward when you know what you are doing...kinda like...illustrator, it is a pro app, the scale tilts more to the side of power over usability, just like the Adobe apps...Ever seen a noob try to do a project end to end in CS...it is kinda funny.

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by a_greer
And as to the "make visio not such a pain in the ass" request: buy a book, hell I will sell you mine, it is acctually really straight forward when you know what you are doing...kinda like...illustrator, it is a pro app, the scale tilts more to the side of power over usability, just like the Adobe apps...Ever seen a noob try to do a project end to end in CS...it is kinda funny.

I think the learning curve for Adobe Apps is highly overrated. When you think about it, MS Office probably has a much higher learning curve. But that's another topic.

Anyway, I make mostly block digrams and engineering things. Illustrator just can make them so darn pretty. Example (http://www.clubnozza.com/stuff/blkdia.png)

[israces]

Originally posted by Macvault
I want...

1) Quicken (Windows version) for OS X. Yes, I know about Quicken for Mac - but it SUCKS! They're like two totally different apps.

2) Microsoft Money.

Completely agree.

[Dave K.]

Microsoft Access

Microsoft SQL Server

Autocad

[a_greer]

Originally posted by Splinemodel
I think the learning curve for Adobe Apps is highly overrated. When you think about it, MS Office probably has a much higher learning curve. But that's another topic.

Anyway, I make mostly block digrams and engineering things. Illustrator just can make them so darn pretty. Example (http://www.clubnozza.com/stuff/blkdia.png) WOW...how long did that take? and did you have to draw the lines, or could you just select a point a and b and maybe a c point for a direction change and have the line autogenerate(I have yet to master the use of a Wacom pen, it just isnt like a ball-point;) )

I may be able to do something like that in visio, but it would take about 2 hours, at least at my level. That is amazing.

edit:
adobe isnt really too hard once you learn one app, but it is a bytch for noobs to learn. I can use PS, but I sure as hell cant use it efficiantly, compared to the guys who give demos that I have seen, sooo many hidden keyboard shortcuts, so many key combos, so little time to learn them all.

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by a_greer
WOW...how long did that take? and did you have to draw the lines, or could you just select a point a and b and maybe a c point for a direction change and have the line autogenerate(I have yet to master the use of a Wacom pen, it just isnt like a ball-point;) )

I may be able to do something like that in visio, but it would take about 2 hours, at least at my level. That is amazing.

edit:
adobe isnt really too hard once you learn one app, but it is a bytch for noobs to learn. I can use PS, but I sure as hell cant use it efficiantly, compared to the guys who give demos that I have seen, sooo many hidden keyboard shortcuts, so many key combos, so little time to learn them all.

Thing is, MS apps have the same problems. It's just that, these days, people are beaten over the head with MS Apps since age 3, so it "seems" easier. But yes, once you figure out one Adobe app, the rest come easily.

The drawing itself was pretty quick to do. I have a few custom swatches and symbol libraries I use to make the blocks, and now it ends up taking about as long as it would in Visio. I use "snap to point" and "snap to grid" to give it a really similar feel to Visio. I think the original reason I stopped using Visio was precisely that it's not very easy (if possible at all) to control how the interconnect lines bend and overlap. When you need to make a multi-forking flowchart or whatnot, I would spend more time in Visio trying to figure out how to "trick" the program into doing what I wanted to do rather than actually doing it. It was then that I promptly exited the program, opened Illustrator, and stayed late that day making the symbol libraries I needed. In Illustrator it's really easy to add and subtract points from the paths (lines), which is good when you need to make alterations.

[hxc04]

Paint

[JeffDM]

Originally posted by a_greer
VISIO

Is there something wrong with OmniGraffle?

edit: OK, I missed the later explaination. It would seem there's money to be made in object translation software.

[JeffDM]

I design and make machined parts and products. I would like some CAM software. CAM software made by someone that understands the "OS X way" might not be such a pain as some of the Windows programs I've used.

There are apparently some CAD programs, all I care about is DWG import and good export to standard formats.

[JeffDM]

Originally posted by Splinemodel
I don't intend to sound like a mac fanboy here, since I wouldn't mind if most of these programs were available on the mac either. I'm more intent on trying to help folks looking for mac equivalents.


CAD Tools:

I get the feeling that the only people who know about FormZ are people who already use it, as well as EIAS users. It can do DWG, DXF, and a zillion other formats, has 2D and 3D capabilities, and *gasp* has an exhaustive set of parametric tools. Autodesk's shocking lack of anything parametric should be enough to label it as "worthless." Why anyone still uses AutoCAD (or 3DSMAX) is a mystery to me.


I thought parametric was an add-on to AutoCAD for a decade now (I've seen it demo'ed and for sale a long time ago), not something you get in the base product.

I'm suspicious of AutoDesSys's sales system for FormZ. There are no prices on the site, no way to buy the product without going through a dealer, and their site says it isn't for sale as mail order. They don't even have the dealer list on the web site, you have to request it. That sounds like a system designed to subject people to high pressure sales tactics. The setup is pretty backwards in my opinion. All these seem to explain why "nobody" knows about the product.

[Aussie John]

Originally posted by tilt

2. Project Management App that can not only read, but also write MS-Project files (.mpp)


Cheers
Your wish is granted - try "Merlin"
http://www.projectwizards.net/en/merlin

[Aussie John]

Originally posted by skybolt
I totally agree with the thoughts about Streets & Trips, but would definately NOT want Microsoft -- I dislike ANYTHING Microsoft -- too user unfriendly. Delorme makes a great product (Street Atlas), but no longer for macs -- that product is far superior, in my opinion, than any other mapping for any platform. I could even get my husband to switch if he could get that!

I also agree that Quicken for macs is horrible -- we need something better. MSMoney is good, but again, won't use anything MS.

Just my two cents!
try MYOB (as in Mind Your Own Business)

[Aussie John]

ArchiCAD is a great alternative to AutoCAD. (if building is your bag) Complete with full 3D modelling and rendering engines and full import export to DWG/DXF.

[progmac]

GIS for Mac:
http://openosx.com/grass/

[a_greer]

Originally posted by JeffDM
Is there something wrong with OmniGraffle?

edit: OK, I missed the later explaination. It would seem there's money to be made in object translation software. I would pay ~$40-50 more than the regular price for a "pro" version of graffle that could convert Visio assets...maybe I should write the people over at Omni a letter.

[tilt]

Originally posted by Aussie John
Your wish is granted - try "Merlin"
http://www.projectwizards.net/en/merlin

Thanks AJ. Am downloading it as we speak :)

Cheers

[Aquatic]

progmac you have used GIS software before? GRASS does not open coverages. It just doesn't...work. At all. It's X11. It's garbage.

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by JeffDM
I thought parametric was an add-on to AutoCAD for a decade now (I've seen it demo'ed and for sale a long time ago), not something you get in the base product.

I'm suspicious of AutoDesSys's sales system for FormZ. There are no prices on the site, no way to buy the product without going through a dealer, and their site says it isn't for sale as mail order. They don't even have the dealer list on the web site, you have to request it. That sounds like a system designed to subject people to high pressure sales tactics. The setup is pretty backwards in my opinion. All these seem to explain why "nobody" knows about the product.

The parametric toolset in AutoCAD still ends up storing the data as polylines. . . . or at least every time I've seen it used, that's how it has been.

FormZ has fixed prices. It comes in three versions: the modeler, the modeler with a renderer, and the modeler with a radiosity renderer. If you're looking to get the best deal, just get the modeler and buy EIAS for your renderer/animator. It's more or less price-competitive with AutoCAD. I'm sure if you email the support staff they can tell you where to go.

[Marvin]

Originally posted by yama
SixtyForce (http://www.sixtyforce.com/) was updated recently you know...

There's also Mupen64, which gives pretty good results. As far as PSX emulators are concerned though - it's all gone downhill ever since Sony bought over Connetix Virtual Game Station.

edit: I was messing around looking for a link to Mupen64 (http://mupen64.emulation64.com/down.htm) and I found out it was a universal binary already in November 2005!

I went off sixtyforce when they started charging for it. Plus the updates are far too slow. Mupen64 played games better IMO (still not great though).

As for playstation, the best so far is the Mac port of PCSX:

http://pcsx.gpost.dk/download.php

But updates are slow and it's still not as good as connectix VGS. Those guys at Connectix were emulation gods.

Purchase Parallels and bring it up to a high standard - and drive MS nuts.

Why do people assume using parallels will worry M$? You still have to buy Windows, which is the way M$ make their money anyway.

I don't think there is any software I'd want ported from Windows. 3DS Max maybe but despite the quality, there are only two rendering engines extensively tested for a production environment - Mental Ray and Renderman, both of which are on OS X. For modelling/animating, Maya is powerful enough and is integrated with Shake.

I just wish Maya for OS X was more optimized though. It is dog slow.

Reports on AutoCAD suggest it's not as good as the competition although it's industry standard. I know of universities that use just Macs in their CAD dept - I think they use Vectorworks but I'm not sure. As long as it edits DXF/DWG and exports files OK then there shouldn't be a problem.

Personally, I'd like to see a standalone tex program similar to the likes of lyx.

http://www.la.utexas.edu/~tnishino/osx_lyx/

Apart from the 3D stuff, I'd be quite happy running any Windows software in parallels.

[whistle]

One word: Microsoft Access

Don't tell me it sucks or anything. It is used almost everywhere in office.

[tilt]

Originally posted by Aussie John
Your wish is granted - try "Merlin"
http://www.projectwizards.net/en/merlin

AJ, I downloaded Merlin and tried it out. It is by far the best and the easiest Project Management app I have used. Thanks for the link.

Cheers

[progmac]

Originally posted by Aquatic
progmac you have used GIS software before? GRASS does not open coverages. It just doesn't...work. At all. It's X11. It's garbage.
I've actually never used GRASS before, I always use the PCs at school. But I do know that it exists and calls itself GIS software. Sorry, didn't mean to upset you.

[Dave K.]

Originally posted by whistle
One word: Microsoft Access

Don't tell me it sucks or anything. It is used almost everywhere in office.

I agree with you 100%. It is the number one reason why Mac's aren't seen in business. Access is that big.

Dave

[kim kap sol]

Originally posted by Dave K.
I agree with you 100%. It is the number one reason why Mac's aren't seen in business. Access is that big.

Dave

That would explain why most businesses are shitty. Their non-integrated databases must be a nightmare to handle.

I'd rather see Access stay where it belongs.

[Darth_Apple]

Originally posted by Splinemodel
I don't intend to sound like a mac fanboy here, since I wouldn't mind if most of these programs were available on the mac either. I'm more intent on trying to help folks looking for mac equivalents.


CAD Tools:

I get the feeling that the only people who know about FormZ are people who already use it, as well as EIAS users. It can do DWG, DXF, and a zillion other formats, has 2D and 3D capabilities, and *gasp* has an exhaustive set of parametric tools. Autodesk's shocking lack of anything parametric should be enough to label it as "worthless." Why anyone still uses AutoCAD (or 3DSMAX) is a mystery to me.

Don't worry you don't and ya I knew about some of the CAD programs for Mac, but AutoCad is the standard... but I truly wish it weren't.

Btw here's a great site for Cad programs for Mac http://www.architosh.com/... heck these guys even started a petition (and a study) to bring AutoCad to Mac and it was signed by over 100,000 people... and here's the report if anyones interested http://www.architosh.com/news/2004-01/2004c-0125-apple-autodesk.phtml

[Frank777]

Originally posted by Dave K.
I agree with you 100%. It is the number one reason why Mac's aren't seen in business. Access is that big.

Dave

No, it's not.

Access has seen success only because it's bundled with office. Even with that advantage, the program's used even less for web databases (the biggest use of databases these days) than Filemaker.

Getting the program on OS X would be nice, but an Access to Filemaker tool is really all the platform needs.

There are many reasons Macs haven't gone corporate, but a lack of Access (pun intended) isn't one of the biggest.

[McCrab]

Microsoft Money
Metastock

[kcmac]

Originally posted by whistle
One word: Microsoft Access

Don't tell me it sucks or anything. It is used almost everywhere in office.
That's 2 words. And yes, it does suck.

[kenaustus]

Originally posted by Frank777
Getting the program on OS X would be nice, but an Access to Filemaker tool is really all the platform needs.

Don't have a clue if this is what you are talking about, but it might be worth a look:

http://www.actualtechnologies.com/product_access.php

[midwinter]

Better Groupwise support—including a way to sync a palm with Groupwise in OS X.

[KaBaL]

i'd like to have SOUND FORGE, ACID, and VEGAS. actually the whole Sony Software Suite...

[BenRoethig]

1. Filemaker Lite and spreadsheet for iWork with iWork now bundled with all Macs.
2. Professional Office suite with Filemaker Pro, Pages Pro, Keynote Pro, and a pro version of the afore mentioned spreadsheet.
3. Apple financial app in with full import/export for money and Quicken. Bundled with all Macs.
4. Elgato bought out and eyeTV (make that iTV) becomes part of iLife and front row. Support for most popular internal and external t.v. tuners.
5. iWeb with html import capability
6. Professional web publishing based on iWeb.

[Frank777]

Originally posted by BenRoethig
1. Filemaker Lite and spreadsheet for iWork with iWork now bundled with all Macs.
2. Professional Office suite with Filemaker Pro, Pages Pro, Keynote Pro, and a pro version of the afore mentioned spreadsheet.
3. Apple financial app in with full import/export for money and Quicken. Bundled with all Macs.
4. Elgato bought out and eyeTV (make that iTV) becomes part of iLife and front row. Support for most popular internal and external t.v. tuners.
5. iWeb with html import capability
6. Professional web publishing based on iWeb.

That's the best list I've seen so far. Too bad that it will never happen. :(

[mortigi tempo]

Originally posted by Kashimash
Solidworks, AutoCAD and 3DSMAX

Wait two weeks, and your first request may be answered. Not SolidWorks, but just as good...

[BigBlue]

Originally posted by mortigi tempo
Wait two weeks, and your first request may be answered. Not SolidWorks, but just as good...
That sounds tempting ...

[mortigi tempo]

Originally posted by BigBlue
That sounds tempting ...

Yes, by all accounts, there's going to be quite a song and dance about this - Apple themselves will be making the announcement, not the company releasing the software, for various reasons.

(disclaimer - I have no insider knowledge at Apple - this comes from elsewhere)

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by mortigi tempo
Yes, by all accounts, there's going to be quite a song and dance about this - Apple themselves will be making the announcement, not the company releasing the software, for various reasons.
If not SolidWorks, and just as good, then. . .? If it's ProE then I'm going to have to eat my words that I made in this very thread.

[mortigi tempo]

Originally posted by Splinemodel
If not SolidWorks, and just as good, then. . .? If it's ProE then I'm going to have to eat my words that I made in this very thread.

Did you know Apple doesn't currently design its products on Macs...

[Dave K.]

Originally posted by kcmac
That's 2 words. And yes, it does suck.

Explain.

[JeffDM]

Originally posted by Dave K.
Explain.

I don't think there's much point. It looked like kcmac was trying to be vague and pedantic in the same one line post.

Historically anyway, Access wasn't very reliable, didn't scale well and used its own proprietary language, so it wasn't portable to anything else, if the need grew, it had to be re-written or hacked into something that works on a larger scale, with a very painful conversion process using custom software just so that the data is transferred. This is second hand from someone that did small scale database programming for a living, so I can't directly vouch for it.

[JeffDM]

Originally posted by mortigi tempo
Did you know Apple doesn't currently design its products on Macs...

It probably wouldn't be too surprising. Supposedly Intel used VAXes in fabbing their own chips for a couple decades.

[Dave K.]

Originally posted by JeffDM
I don't think there's much point. It looked like kcmac was trying to be vague and pedantic in the same one line post.

Historically anyway, Access wasn't very reliable, didn't scale well and used its own proprietary language, so it wasn't portable to anything else, if the need grew, it had to be re-written or hacked into something that works on a larger scale, with a very painful conversion process using custom software just so that the data is transferred. This is second hand from someone that did small scale database programming for a living, so I can't directly vouch for it.

I am not a MS lover by any means. But I really have to set the record straight with Access. I have worked extensively with Access for over 7 years. It is extremely powerful database tool and a top notch application. To debunk some myths about Access:

Access is far more scaleable than anything on the Mac side. Name your database and Access can connect to it (either natively or through ODBC). MS Jet provides a good database engine as a start. Direct interfacing to SQL server (through Access Projects) is the enterprise class solution.

Working (i.e., creating) databases in Access is very straight forward and logically designed.

Access and VB/VBA work in-conjunction with one another. The development language for Access is Visual Basic for Applications. It shares the same syntax as VB 6. It has been this way since Access 1997 (maybe Access 95). The VB language has been well defined by MS engineers over the years. No hacks or proprietary language problems. Tons of functionality. In fact, you can call C++ routines within Access if you wanted to.

Through Active-X controls your database can interface with hundreds (if not thousands) of other Windows applications directly within the Access database. Very powerful. For example, I have used it to tie my databases directly to Lotus Notes and MS Outlook.

All in all, Access if a great, great tool. I have tried using FileMaker Pro a couple of times and felt it was missing simple functionality that has been in Access for year and years (e.g,, the ability to visually create relationships between table).

If MS converted Access over to Mac, it would be a tremendous asset.

Dave

[kim kap sol]

Originally posted by Dave K.
I am not a MS lover by any means. But I really have to set the record straight with Access. I have worked extensively with Access for over 7 years. It is extremely powerful database tool and a top notch application. To debunk some myths about Access:

Access is far more scaleable than anything on the Mac side. Name your database and Access can connect to it (either natively or through ODBC). MS Jet provides a good database engine as a start. Direct interfacing to SQL server (through Access Projects) is the enterprise class solution.

Working (i.e., creating) databases in Access is very straight forward and logically designed.

Access and VB/VBA work in-conjunction with one another. The development language for Access is Visual Basic for Applications. It shares the same syntax as VB 6. It has been this way since Access 1997 (maybe Access 95). The VB language has been well defined by MS engineers over the years. No hacks or proprietary language problems. Tons of functionality. In fact, you can call C++ routines within Access if you wanted to.

Through Active-X controls your database can interface with hundreds (if not thousands) of other Windows applications directly within the Access database. Very powerful. For example, I have used it to tie my databases directly to Lotus Notes and MS Outlook.

All in all, Access if a great, great tool. I have tried using FileMaker Pro a couple of times and felt it was missing simple functionality that has been in Access for year and years (e.g,, the ability to visually create relationships between table).

If MS converted Access over to Mac, it would be a tremendous asset.

Dave

It's actually a plague to all integrated information systems out there...it's the last thing the Mac or any company of the present and future need.

I don't care if you've got 20 years of experience. I personally have 5...I know how Access works...yes, it's, uh, flexible (but that's stretching it, IMO)...but it's a total pain to integrate it with other systems.

The app is begging to be rewritten...hasn't MS said they're not going to update Access anymore? MS is moving away from VB...

...the effort and time to port this app to OS X would be long, hard and wasted.

[Dave K.]

Originally posted by kim kap sol
It's actually a plague to all integrated information systems out there...it's the last thing the Mac or any company of the present and future need.

I don't care if you've got 20 years of experience. I personally have 5...I know how Access works...yes, it's, uh, flexible (but that's stretching it, IMO)...but it's a total pain to integrate it with other systems.

It's also got the old Win 95 feel to it. We're in fucking 2006.

What the hell are you integrating??? Please explain this. You don't integrate desktop databases to other systems. I don't care if it is Access or FileMaker Pro or Visual FoxPro or 4D. Again. Define what level of system integration you are looking for. Are you integrating multiple database?

Access 2003 doesn't have any old Win 95 feel to it. What are you talking about?

Perhaps you simply don't know Access very well, so you are struggling with it?

Dave

[Dave K.]

Originally posted by kim kap sol
MS is moving away from VB...

Source please.

[kim kap sol]

Originally posted by Dave K.
What the hell are you integrating??? Please explain this. You don't integrate desktop databases to other systems. I don't care if it is Access or FileMaker Pro or Visual FoxPro or 4D. Again. Define what level of system integration you are looking for. Are you integrating multiple database?

Access 2003 doesn't have any old Win 95 feel to it. What are you talking about?

Perhaps you simply don't know Access very well, so you are struggling with it?

Dave

Perhaps, you've never used Access and you're talking about some other database app.

[Dave K.]

Originally posted by kim kap sol
Perhaps, you've never used Access and you're talking about some other database app.

That must be it. ;)

Sorry. I was a little strong. Like I said, I have only really used Access. I have heard great things from the folks who use FileMaker Pro. I have tried that app. Never been impressed with it. Talk about a old interface.

I guess lets agree to disagree with Access.

BTW. When is Apple going to reabsorb FileMaker again. FileMaker's website talks about all of these business solutions it offers. But everyone in IT that I know have no idea that FileMaker is an Apple application. I don't get it.

Dave

[kim kap sol]

Originally posted by Dave K.
Source please.

Let's just say that VB.NET is quite a different beast.

[kim kap sol]

Originally posted by Dave K.
Sorry. I was a little strong. Like I said, I have only really used Access. I have heard great things from the folks who use FileMaker Pro. I have tried that app. Never been impressed with it. Talk about a old interface.


I agree...FileMaker Pro is something out of the System 7.0 twilight zone. I'm not impressed with it either.

Something new is needed...I'm not sure a port of Access is the way to go. Sure, there are thousands upon thousands of Access DBs out there but I can't imagine how these will be around for much longer.

[Dave K.]

Originally posted by kim kap sol
Let's just say that VB.NET is quite a different beast.

In that sense. Yes. I totally agree with you. VB.Net is NOT VB. VB 2005 does go back to some VB 6 roots, but even that is stretching it.

I am wondering when MS will integrate the .NET syntax into MS Office VBA.

Dave

[Frank777]

Filemaker's interface is a bit outdated, due to the fact that it's a cross-platform app.
Adobe's primary interface ain't exactly heavenly either.

I have no modern info about Access, but the MS Office oldtimers talk about it the same way publishers talk about Publisher.
That is, that it was inherent ill-designed and desperately needs to disappear from the face of the Earth.
Again, this news is several years old. So for all I know, Access may have been fixed.

I do wish Jobs would pay attention to Filemaker, or that those in power at Filemaker would pay attention themselves.

Finally Dave, Filemaker does allow you to visually create relationships between tables.

[Res]

1) FrameMaker!
2) FrameMaker!!
3) FrameMaker!!!!!!

I curse the day that Adobe purchased FrameMaker. When they stopped making it for the Mac Angles cried and cold cruel laughter echoed throughout the realms of hell... well, maybe not, but is sure upset me. :D

[mortigi tempo]

Originally posted by JeffDM

Originally posted by mortigi tempo

Did you know Apple doesn't currently design its products on Macs...


It probably wouldn't be too surprising. Supposedly Intel used VAXes in fabbing their own chips for a couple decades.

Currently, they use a well known 3D design package on Unix workstations. There is a move to make sure that Macs are designed on Macs. This push hasn't just come from Apple though - apparently the third party actively offered a software port to them in exchange for a commitment to purchase a certain quantity of the software. This held up the process for a while, but my understanding is that this is now over, and the port is set to be announced within the next few weeks, and Apple will make the announcement and try to wring publicity out of this.

Could do a lot of good for the credibility of OS X. It also partly explains why Apple offer a workstation-class graphics card (in the Nvidia Quadro) in the PowerMacs when there's no real benefit to having such things on the Mac at the moment because there aren't yet any certified apps to use it with.

Personally, I suspect (or hope, maybe) that this may force Apple to give some details of their 64-bit x86 strategy, and possibly points to the release of new towers. I don't know if the app is a UB or Intel on;y, but they're sure as hell not going to using this on iMacs...

[troberts]

Originally posted by a_greer
I would pay ~$40-50 more than the regular price for a "pro" version of graffle that could convert Visio assets...maybe I should write the people over at Omni a letter.
This is what OmniGraffle Pro 4.x has to say about Visio:

OmniGraffle Professional 4 now uses the recently-opened Visio XML schemas, so there have been many improvements to the Visio XML import/export function, and some of the newer feature sets (such as the Bezier drawing tool) bring OmniGraffle's Visio support to a higher level. Additional, there is now support for exporting to the Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) format. SVG can display OmniGraffle documents beautifully at any size, whether you're viewing them on the screen of a mobile phone or on a large print banner.

[Placebo]

3DS Max since it's still very popular in PC game development.

[Gene Clean]

Originally posted by Placebo
3DS Max since it's still very popular in PC game development.

If it's popular in PC game development - it's crap. ;)

[JeffDM]

Originally posted by Gene Clean
If it's popular in PC game development - it's crap. ;)

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it on those grounds, though I haven't used the program in a long time. Like any other piece of software (including Apple's), it did have some quirks. The thing it had going for it is that it was powerful and easy to use.

[bikertwin]

Originally posted by Darth_Apple
.. what would they be? and why?

To narrow it a bit you can only choose 3 apps that you personally could use that are not available or 3 apps that you would like to see that you may not use but you know it would help bring in more market share.

(note: this isn't to convince software companies to create or port there apps, instead it's to have Apple create similar apps that are user friendly)

Here's my list:

Oh, please, a QuickBooks replacement. The Mac version is from the Dark Ages.
Quicken replacement, while we're at it
A photo editor to work alongside Aperture that's much easier to use than Photoshop. It, like Aperture, should be aimed at photographers, not designers. (Nothing wrong with designers, we just need software that's designed for photographers.)

[gregmightdothat]

Originally posted by bikertwin
Here's my list:

Oh, please, a QuickBooks replacement. The Mac version is from the Dark Ages.
Quicken replacement, while we're at it
A photo editor to work alongside Aperture that's much easier to use than Photoshop. It, like Aperture, should be aimed at photographers, not designers. (Nothing wrong with designers, we just need software that's designed for photographers.)


What's so hard to use about Photoshop? What changes would you make to it for photographers?

[Aquatic]

It's fairly hard to use, but it is also extremely powerful, and I think Adobe has a decent job at the interface. Could be better though, and I bet over time it will improve. Especially if Apple buys them. :smokey:

[bikertwin]

Originally posted by gregmightdothat
What's so hard to use about Photoshop? What changes would you make to it for photographers?

Hmmm... where should I start? ;)

Delete a color swatch, then reload the set--oops! It's gone. Photoshop saves the swatch set even if you don't specifically save it, once you delete a color. Ouch.

Try explaining to a beginner how to load, edit, and save swatches or patterns or brushes and make them the default.

Attributes that should/could be saved as a style (like a Photo Filter adjustment layer) instead have to be applied by Actions if you want your own custom settings. That's like running a word processor macro just to turn some text into bold.

The Curves tools is useful. But where is it measured in f/stops or Zones? There is no photographic terminology anywhere in Photoshop.

Resize an object and, by default, it will not respect proportions. You have to hold down Option to resize proportionately. Why would a photographer ever want to size an image disproportionately? Isn't the default behavior backwards?

Just stuff like that.

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by JeffDM
I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it on those grounds, though I haven't used the program in a long time. Like any other piece of software (including Apple's), it did have some quirks. The thing it had going for it is that it was powerful and easy to use.

We had a discussion about 3DSMax a while ago. My professional opinion is that it's not adequate to do cutting edge work, and that it's rendering engine is junk. Ultimately, the artist matters more than the tool, but I don't think it's a big loss not to have 3DSMax for the mac. There are other 3D programs that can work with 3DSMax files (almost all of them). I'm also not a huge fan of Lightwave, but it has a fairly similar toolset as 3DSMax and it is available for the mac.

You've probably heard of Lightwave and might want to try it. It comes with a substantial educational discount if you're applicable (academicsuperstore.com). It's a polygon-centric modeler, and the generally-held understanding is that it's easier to work with this kind of workflow than it is to work with, say, an ACIS workflow. This is because you can visually inspect the progress in very small steps. With ACIS approaches, the user has to build more complex objects "from scratch."

[Digital Disasta]

Going into what Splinemodel said, their is another program that I think is great. I have used 3ds on a PC since R3, and after R6 i just wanted to try different programs. I tried FromZ, Rhino 3D, Maya, Lightwave, Truespace, and Blender (We had them at school), but then a friend showed me a Maxon program called Cinema 4D. I liked it a lot, and it reminds me of 3DS in some ways. I think its a great alturnative to 3DS if you don't have a PC. I only use C4D now, I do have 3DS on my computer, but after getting used to C4D, I never went back to Max. It's very powerful, and it't not hard to use. If you can use Max, you can use C4D for sure. Check it out, I think all you guys with Macs will find it atractive. They have just released a Intel-Mac version too which is a HUGE plus! Only if Adobe would get off their @$$es now. :mad:

[Splinemodel]

C4D is pretty solid too. It runs well on the mac, and is easier to pick up than FormZ. I would have recommended it first (ahead of lightwave) but people who insist on 3DS are usually a little bit masochistic, and would be a little bit upset with C4D.

[Digital Disasta]

I don't know, to me, it's great. I love the layout, I like the features and plug-ins you can get for it, and for the money, you really can't beat it. 3DS is a good application, but I think C4D is just as good. I've used both a lot, and I think C4D handles high poly modeling just as good, if not better in some aspects. The render in C4D is great, and it's not complicated to use. I do understand that 3DS users are loyal, and it does have a lot of great features, but if someone wants to go all Mac, and not have a PC, I would definitly suggest checking out C4D before Lightwave. Lightwave to me just doesn't make sence. You know how you open a program and it just feels right? I don't know how to explain it, when I opened C4D it just made sence to me from the start. Just my two cents.

[mortigi tempo]

C4D and lightwave are very nice and all, but whether they are better than 3DS Max or not doesn't mean that it wouldn't be great to have 3DS on the Mac. Its entrenchment in places like architectural practices (along with AutoCAD) keeps Macs out of many of them. The question often isn't whether there is a satisfactory or even superior alternative.

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by mortigi tempo
C4D and lightwave are very nice and all. . .

You're missing the point. AutoCAD and 3DSMax don't exist for mac, and they won't anytime soon. At work, you use whatever platform is given to you. At home, you may want a mac, and if you use Autodesk products at work, the point is that there are alternatives you can use at home that are very similar, and can read/write the same file types.

[mortigi tempo]

Originally posted by Splinemodel
You're missing the point. AutoCAD and 3DSMax don't exist for mac, and they won't anytime soon. At work, you use whatever platform is given to you. At home, you may want a mac, and if you use Autodesk products at work, the point is that there are alternatives you can use at home that are very similar, and can read/write the same file types.

No, I realise that. I'm just saying that whether or not C4D is better than 3DS, and whatever you think of AutoCAD these are the apps that it would be nice to be able to have on the Mac – as per the title of the thread – whether or not there exists viable alternatives.

And this is particularly true of AutoCAD. I'm glad Vectorworks is around, and it provides a lot of fuctionality. But it would be massively better for the Mac if AutoCAD was still available.

[Splinemodel]

Originally posted by mortigi tempo
No, I realise that. I'm just saying that ... it would be nice to be able to have on the Mac – as per the title of the thread – whether or not there exists viable alternatives.

We established on page one that it this thread should also recommend alternatives. What, did you think that by posting on an internet message board that all the PC apps you like would suddenly come to the Mac? By recommending alternatives, there is some substance.

Which also brings me to the point that everyone seems to want AutoCAD on the mac. Besides it being hard for me to believe that so many users on AI have any need for AutoCAD, I think it's a piece of crap, and I don't use it on my PCs either. While I wasn't looking AutoCAD must have become a moot talisman for the software industry.

[Digital Disasta]

Another thing people can do is get a Intel-Mac and install Boot Camp. I'm sure you all know what this is. If you really want those applictions, get a Mactel and use the apps you want.

[JeffDM]

Originally posted by Splinemodel
Which also brings me to the point that everyone seems to want AutoCAD on the mac. Besides it being hard for me to believe that so many users on AI have any need for AutoCAD, I think it's a piece of crap, and I don't use it on my PCs either. While I wasn't looking AutoCAD must have become a moot talisman for the software industry.

I use AutoCAD, though a ten year old version of it. It would be nice to buy something newer, I can get by just fine without spending thousands to fix a problem that I don't really have. I will say that I won't be replacing the Windows workstation at work with a Mac either, because that's more of the same, spending money to fix a problem I don't have. If I need a Mac at work, I can bring in the MacBook Pro desknote.

[Kishan]

I can add the American Heart Association's training course for ACLS (http://www.laerdal.com/document.asp?subnodeid=10054920) to my list of software that I wish worked on the Mac.

[glurx]

Mixmaster

[mmbarthez]

ProE-Wildfire 2 just great for modeling and analysis if you have the mechanica portion installed, as well as sheet metal and all that, the entire Pro-E line would be great.

ANSYS would be another good one to have.

Working Model would be good to use to fill in some dead spots in Pro-E.

[midwinter]

My social science friends say "SPSS."

[Aquatic]

LOL maybe AutoCAD is like ArcGIS. You gotta use it. GODAMNIT I hate that motherfucker. I'm going to be an ESRI bitch for the next three years doing ArcMap. I'm going to go outta my mind folks, just watch...more so than already of course.

[Placebo]

I'm really enjoying Modo 102 for pure modeling and I'll probably use that as my main Unreal modeler for UT2k7, and Fireworks for texture creation.

On 3DS Max, both Epic and Bungie use it, and they're two of the most successful companies in the industry.

[Digital Disasta]

What would you compair Modo to? I have herd a lot about it, but it seems to me to be very limited in support, plug-ins, and tutorials to get started. Is it easy to use? Is the interface simple, or does it have a lot of hidden menus and a lot of check boxes? The rendering aspects dont seem top notch, but some of them do look decent. Any thoughts on it?

[Marvin]

Originally posted by Digital Disasta
What would you compair Modo to? I have herd a lot about it, but it seems to me to be very limited in support, plug-ins, and tutorials to get started. Is it easy to use? Is the interface simple, or does it have a lot of hidden menus and a lot of check boxes? The rendering aspects dont seem top notch, but some of them do look decent. Any thoughts on it?

Modo is meant to be a subdivision surface modeller. It is comparable to Rhino3D, which has no Mac version either:

http://www.rhino3d.com/

Rhino3D does NURBs as opposed to subdivision surface modelling.

That's one of the reasons I love Blender for modelling because it does subdivs like Modo.

Blender -> Renderman -> Shake = :D

[Splinemodel]

Silo3D is a subdivision modeler for the mac that is cheap. There's also a pretty nice NURBS modeler out there for the mac, but I forget the name. I'll get it soon enough.

My favorite NURBS modeler is the now defunct Universe Modeler 5.0.

[dmwogan]

I'm sure all of the engineers will agree:

-solidworks, pro/e
-matlab (an os x native version, not the x11 version)
-fluent

[faedera]

Originally posted by midwinter
My social science friends say "SPSS."

I'm using it on my Mac. Google "spss mac".

[midwinter]

Well honk my hooter!

[mortigi tempo]

Originally posted by dmwogan
I'm sure all of the engineers will agree:

-solidworks, pro/e
-matlab (an os x native version, not the x11 version)
-fluent

I mentioned earlier that your first request may be answered to some extent.

Have a look here (http://www.engineeringtalk.com/news/eds/eds122.html) (old news, but relevent) and here (http://www.ugs.com/about_us/press/press.shtml?id=4367) for a few pointers as to what's going to be announced in the next few weeks...

Although this might be a bit more high end than some people are looking for, it's going to be very good for Macs in engineering...

[Darth_Apple]

Well since were are also posting good alternative Mac apps, I saw this today at Apple's site and thought it was cool.

Link to story:
http://www.apple.com/science/profiles/ucla/

Medical imaging is growing at an explosive pace, revolutionizing the way physicians peer inside the human body and allowing them to diagnose disease earlier, better, and faster. Instead of 2D x-ray films hanging on light boxes, today’s radiologists often view computer displays of 3D digital images, including those from CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Using these 3D visualizations, radiologists can appreciate important information not otherwise apparent, such as the irregular shape or spiculated margin of a tumor or its precise spatial relationship to anatomic structures.

“The unique thing about OsiriX is that it gives users the ability to do advanced imaging manipulation outside the traditional radiology-centric environment.”

Adding to the sophistication of this field, 4D and 5D imaging has emerged in recent years. These images add dimensions of time (such as cardiac CT scanning so fast that it captures images of the beating heart) and functional data (such as PET/CT fusion, which combines a patient’s anatomical and functional images).[/b]

Link to OsiriX site:
http://homepage.mac.com/rossetantoine/osirix/Index2.html


I think that Apple should focus a bit on medical technologies like the article says its growing at a fast rate and this could help Apple get more market share!

[Archstudent]

In terms of CAD/nurbs check out solidthinking I think it is quite similar to Rhino and I'm hoping to get my hands on it soon.

Other 3d mac programs not mentioned which I thought were worth a mention are sketchup, vectorworks (anyone use this?), and maxwell render (in beta atm but produces amazing results)

Personally I would like to see Rhino and Acad on mac of course, and something like 3dexploration. I would also like to see Adobe apps written for mac properly again not ported from PC ;)

[intlplby]

a FLAC to MP3/AAC/Apple Lossless converter that preserves tags....

something that burns cue files for audio (not bin/cue) for data discs

FLAC support in itunes

apple lossless support in ableton live

[trowa]

Softimage XSI

[BWhaler]

Great idea for a thread.

My list:


1. iWork (The REAL Version)
(Make it a complete and robust office suite. Apple is on the right track here, but they should be thinking of it as a competitor to Office, not a replacement for Appleworks.)

2. Photoshop killer.
Adobe's app is too complex, ugly and slow

3. Update FileMaker's UI.
It actually is a great DB program, but the UI sucks. And the fact that it is cross-platform is not a valid excuse. itunes is cross platform, and nothing in Windows limits FileMaker from doing better.

4. A robust PIM.
Doesn't need to be 1 app, but iCal and AddressBook are terrible and way out of date.

[firewaterwizard]

Originally posted by Ive
SolidWorks should be nice...

2nd that!!!
Solidworks on a mac would be the coolest thing!

[DJmastamind]

i would love to see Sound Forge.

By far one of the best music editing programs I've used, and it would be nice to use it on my MAC. I know there is Peak LE, and the such, but nothing comes close to Sound Forge.