FreeCAD crashes on startup MacOS, appears to be graphics issue

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tomtom215
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2021 6:58 pm

Re: FreeCAD crashes on startup MacOS, appears to be graphics issue

Post by tomtom215 »

TheSebi wrote: Thu Dec 02, 2021 6:46 pm I also have the same issue with my MBP 2012 running MacOS 10.15.7.
FreeCAD still worked two-three months ago and I get the same behavior as you described now.
I am certain that I installed an update for macOS in the time between.

Switching to safe mode also works for me and I am also quite sure it has something to do with the Intel Driver.
When starting FreeCAD from terminal in safe mode, I get two more lines of output than in normal mode:

Code: Select all

> Unable to create basic Accelerated OpenGL renderer.
> Core Image is now using the software OpenGL renderer. This will be slow. 
It then continues to successfully start.

When comparing the log files from a crashing start in normal mode and a successful start in safe mode the only difference is the OpenGL Version.
In normal mode when crashing the version is: 2.1 (2.1 INTEL-14.7.20)
In safe mode when starting successfully the version is: 2.1 (2.1 APPLE-17.10.22).
Is there maybe a way to force FreeCAD to use this OpenGL version?

I also tried installing and running Fusion360 after I couldn’t get FreeCAD to run, but interestingly I get the exact same behavior, the splash screen shows and then it immediately crashes.

This problem is really frustrating. I hope there will be some fix for this. Maybe I’ll also try reinstalling macOS and not updating, even if that isn’t a proper solution to the problem.

Update:
So I also reinstalled the OS using Recovery Mode to the version before the Security Update 7 and everything is back to working like before.
How did you do that?
Mind to give me short instructions how I can go back to update 7?
TheSebi
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2021 6:25 pm

Re: FreeCAD crashes on startup MacOS, appears to be graphics issue

Post by TheSebi »

tomtom215 wrote: Sun Dec 05, 2021 5:46 am
How did you do that?
Mind to give me short instructions how I can go back to update 7?
Simply restart (or switch on) your MacBook and hold down Cmd-R until the Apple logo appears.
This will take you to the Recovery Mode. Here you can select „Reinstall OS“.
All your data and programs will be kept and only the OS is reinstalled (like a software update).
This will currently install a version pre Sec 7.
tomtom215
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2021 6:58 pm

Re: FreeCAD crashes on startup MacOS, appears to be graphics issue

Post by tomtom215 »

TheSebi wrote: Sun Dec 05, 2021 12:06 pm
tomtom215 wrote: Sun Dec 05, 2021 5:46 am
How did you do that?
Mind to give me short instructions how I can go back to update 7?
Simply restart (or switch on) your MacBook and hold down Cmd-R until the Apple logo appears.
This will take you to the Recovery Mode. Here you can select „Reinstall OS“.
All your data and programs will be kept and only the OS is reinstalled (like a software update).
This will currently install a version pre Sec 7.
cool, I´ll give it a go.
Thank you
tomtom215
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2021 6:58 pm

Re: FreeCAD crashes on startup MacOS, appears to be graphics issue

Post by tomtom215 »

Worked great!

Everything is back to normal.

Updates deactivated
tpowers
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2021 4:43 pm

Re: FreeCAD crashes on startup MacOS, appears to be graphics issue

Post by tpowers »

Security Update 2021-008 Catalina (released December 13, 2021) fixed the issue for me. I should mention that I first reinstalled macOS Catalina as a workaround, but when I saw the new security update, I decided to try it. I am now running Version 0.19.24291 without encountering the startup crash.
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