Why does Mac want to prevent me from running multiple instances of software? I really freaking hate that. Windows will let me do it, Linux will let me do it (at least, from the command line)… There’s no freaking reason in the world not to let me do that.
I want to refer to one blend file while working on another blend file. Not to be able to do this easily is just stupid. I’m really annoyed. I don’t want to have to install a half a dozen different weirdly named Blenders just to do this (besides, Mac’s weird about naming too, when you try to render…) I assume that since Mac is basically running over FreeBSD I can probably do it from the command line, but that’s a pain in the neck. What’s the point of the whole slick Mac interface if I have to futz around with the command line to open a graphics program?
I agree that it would be useful to be able to have 2 blender files open at the same time. Perhaps Apple does not think this is a big concern; most programs allow you to have 2 or more files open at the same time. I have always wondered why this is not possible in Blender. Would it be possible for the blender programmers to implement this in Blender?
In my opinion Mac took a step backward in usability with the switch to OS X. It may well have a stronger underlying architecture and for all I know might be a vastly superior OS to the previous versions - but there seems to be an assumption that Mac users will take to the command line like Linux users do.
Some basic Mac functionality was actually dropped in the initial switch (eg. File Labels) and slowly struggled back into the OS with each purchase upgrade. Some functionality still hasn’t returned (Window shades) and often requires third party extensions to make them available, if at all. In some cases it appears real functionality was thrown out in favour of animated alternatives. Window Shades (closing windows like shutter blinds) is a prime example. It was fast and functional but gave way to the cutely animated Expose and the simplified and annoying moving of things to the dock. Desktop windows are still excessively sluggish at updating and seem to not update until activated (which causes numerous problems if you’re not thinking about it when you go in double clicking). But you have to admit - that plasma screensaver thing makes this all seem irrelevant.
Other stupidities include the changing of keyboard shortcuts for no good reason, even in contravention of Apple guidelines of consistency (Apple-N should create something “new” and on the desktop it used to create a new folder prior to OS X. Now it just opens up a different window. The long-standing Apple-N got switched to Apple-shift-N… why???). Now, for some inexplicable reason, we use Apple-L to do exactly the same thing we’d done for years using Apple-M. The trash can used to go wherever the hell you wanted it to, whenever you wanted it to. Now it’s inextricably locked to the dock and the dock has limited options for placement. And fonts!!! Don’t even get me going on OS X font “management” - font folders are everywhere waiting to try the patience of even the most committed novice user as some fonts will refuse to load - at all - if they happen to land in the wrong folder!!!
Anyway, basics and interface probably isn’t the place to condemn Apple’s failure to consider its existing customer base when making dopey decisions - and I don’t know if it ever allowed multiple instances anyway.
As far as I know Bug, the two ways you mentioned are the only two ways to open multiple instances of Blender in OS X. Either, open them via the terminal (if you know your commands and switches - I don’t) or create multiple copies of the app in separate folders (you can rename folders but not the binary).
I guess this is one of the prices we pay for a system that is, generally, pretty stable and virus-free.
don’t know what you guys are talking about.
i can run two instances of blender no problem. both launched normally by clicking application icons.
os x is great.
If you clicked just one icon twice and got two Blenders running then we need to know your OS specs:eek: - Of course, if you clicked two different icons and got two Blenders running, then join the club
On another note, that’s a cute little purple guy you’ve got down in the corner of your screenshot though I’m not sure what’s going on with the desktop jpg icon below it.
don’t know what you guys are talking about.
though I’m not sure what’s going on with the desktop jpg icon below it.