Hi, I did not attempt to download the 2.0 updater and force the 2.0 install. It just seemed like an uncertain step when I didn't think I would be able to get it working.
My understanding from VW support was that since my CAD system is on macOS 13 (which is supported) there might be some specific tech issue with the Redshift components coming in 2025. It is strange because Redshift does work in 2024 - I am just having trouble migrating the project approach since I have to re-light the model to work with how Redshift measures lights differently from Renderworks.
Overall there are probably various reasons why 2025 is crashing on people during the splash screen, but removing the files in the application folder does seem like a way to troubleshoot individual components if you need to get 2025 to run. In other words those problems are likely to manifest at the splash screen because that is when VW is loading all the components in the app folder. So if it's crashing hard in some kind of hardware way with a GPU or graphics error, removing the Redshift files or removing the entire cineware folder (disables Renderworks entirely - it can be re-created or dragged back in once you have tested this) would be a possible direction to investigate.
Thanks again and credit is due to VW and Domas for at least being able to get my 2025 working even if I can't use Redshift for testing in 2025. it's nice to know it's possible to understand some of these problems and some folks at VW do know how to dig into this stuff.
I'll also give credit that I was able to speak to a human at VW pretty quickly - but I was linked to the Service Select phone number, so not sure if customers in other locations like Australia will have similar results. This was significantly faster and a better support experience than I have received in the past, which has always been more of a "wow that's weird dude" response rather than any direction or idea how to attack the problem.
BK