Vectorworks Architect 2020 not launching after OS update to Sonoma 14.1.1

[CAD Cadet]

Bear with me….

 

So i work in an architects practice thats a small business, and i have a tech issue, with limited influence to resolve it if it needs spending any money, and i'd really appreciate the help of our brilliant vectoworks community to see if there is anyone who understands the issue and how to fix it.

 

1. We use Macs for our project works here in the office, with the project works we get involved in is mostly drafting in 2D [no BIM / No 3D aside from SketchUp]
2. The macs computers available for architectural staff are Imacs dating from 2019.
3. The version of Vectorworks that is in use in the office is Vectworworks Architect 2020, and this is consistent across all machines.
4. There are currently no plans [assumed there to be no budget] to update either the hardware with a currently supported Mac, or to a currently supported version of Vectorworks on a subscription package.

 

So our imacs run slow as dogs with a spinning beachball whenever an update is pending, and the only way to get any speed improvements is to install the update. So naturally we all ensure we are on the most current software for the OS, with associated security, and ironing out glitches as well as developer enhancements etc

 

Just last week the OS did an update to Sonoma 14.1.1, and I was able to run our copy of Vectorworks on Friday after the update. I booted up the machine from a cold start this morning and its running slow as hell again, and Vectorworks just refusing to launch at all. 

 

Anyone any ideas on how i can get a working system / software up and running again? As always it just so happens i have got a deadline looming this week - such is the perfection of the timing, and I've not been able to work in Vectorworks at all today.

 

I totally understand that we SHOULD upgrade both the hardware and the Vectorworks software [my employer will have to in theory at some point] - but I have no control over this, and would appreciate any perspective on getting back to work as soon as possible? Would reinstalling VWX 2020 be an answer? Thats the only option i can think of right now, as i cant roll back the OS updates!!

 

Thank you for your help, we're in a bit of a bind!

[CAD Cadet]

UPDATE on reinstalling VWX

 

well after downloading Vectorworks 2020 from the Vectorworks site this iMac wont let me reinstall Vectorworks 2020 in the current version of the OS installed on this machine… darn it!

 

HELP!!

[Pat Stanford]

This is going to be tricky.

 

The last "certified compatible" version of MacOS for VW2020 was OS11 Big Sur.  So it is possible/probable that there will be some issues with running 2020 under OS13 Sonoma.

 

 

Best would have been to not upgrade to Sonoma.  In my experience, newer OS on older hardware rarely makes things faster as the new additions to the OS tax the hardware more and make things run slower.

 

1.  Did you do a backup before you installed Sonoma?  If so, then roll back to the backup and still with Big Sur or Monterey.

2. If not then you would need to do a clean install to get back to an earlier OS and then updated to the latest service pack for that OS and stop there.

3. Since you are on a Mac, you "should" be able to copy the VW2020 application from another machine have it run. If you deleted your User Folder (default location is in the hidden Library folder, Application Support, Vectorworks you will need to copy that over also. And you may also need to copy over the Vectorwork Preferences look in Library:Preferences and copy over anything that has Vectorworks, Nemetschek, or Maxon in the name.

 

Good luck.

[CAD Cadet]

2 minutes ago, Pat Stanford said:

Best would have been to not upgrade to Sonoma.  The pending updates made the Mac so slow as it was just freezing all the time… feeling coerced into updating the OS in retrospect. In my experience, newer OS on older hardware rarely makes things faster as the new additions to the OS tax the hardware more and make things run slower. I suspect that you are quite correct in this, im not going to argue with you!!

 

1.  Did you do a backup before you installed Sonoma? NO If so, then roll back to the backup and still with Big Sur or Monterey. I wish I had, but no back Up

2. If not then you would need to do a clean install to get back to an earlier OS and then updated to the latest service pack for that OS and stop there. I suspect that will be the necessary course of action now, without doubt actually

3. Since you are on a Mac, you "should" be able to copy the VW2020 application from another machine have it run. If you deleted your User Folder (default location is in the hidden Library folder, Application Support, Vectorworks you will need to copy that over also. And you may also need to copy over the Vectorwork Preferences look in Library:Preferences and copy over anything that has Vectorworks, Nemetschek, or Maxon in the name. Good to know thank you! im hoping if i just reinstall the OS to Big Sur or Monterey it might let me just do a regular install.

 

Good luck. Thank you!

 

[CAD Cadet]

Update:

 

Reinstalled OS 11 Big Sur, Vectorworks 2020 sp 6 runs fine, however lots of other apps find this OS too old [Like Microsoft Apps]

so...

Updated to OS 12 Monterey, and Vectorworks 2020 sp6 runs just fine [seemingly?] and Microsoft happily installs and runs also.

 

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

 

Postscript it was less than straightforward to downgrade from OS 14 Sonoma to an earlier OS 11 or OS 12, but it IS possible, www.macworld.com were an excellent resource figuring it out, check them out if you need advice on correcting once you've been poorly advised to update the OS and then your apps stop working!! Thanks to Vectorworks Forum for pragmatic common sense advice @Pat Stanford.