MacLux Pro and Intel Hardware

MacLux Pro is compiled to run on a PowerPC processor. It runs on a Macintosh with an Intel processor using Apple's Rosetta emulation technology. Rosetta is included as part of OS-X 10.4, Tiger, and 10.5, Leopard. Rosetta works so transparently that you are not even aware of its existence. MacLux Pro runs just like it was a native Intel application.

OS-X 10.6, Snow Leopard, may not include Rosetta in its standard installation. (Snow Leopard itself will not run on PowerPC based Macs.) In order to run MacLux Pro under 10.6, you may need to install Rosetta or include it as an option when upgrading to Snow Leopard.

OS X 10.7 Lion does not include Rosetta. MacLux Pro will not run on OS X 10.7. LXSeries software, some of which is based on MacLux Pro, is written for OS X and other operating systems. LXBeams, which is similar to MacLux Pro is available in a 64bit Intel version. To learn more about LXSeries, click here.

MacLux Pro and OS-X

MacLux Pro is built on a Classic Macintosh application class library. However, version 2.1 has been made Carbon compatible which means it runs directly under OS-X.

MacLux Pro was designed for the older Mac operating system which is reflected in its interface. MacLux Pro does not take advantage of operating system features that are found in software written specifically for OS-X. Some OS-X specific behaviors particularly those involving windows and the dock may not work as well in MacLux Pro as in applications that are written using Cocoa or a Carbon specific framework. Improvements have been made to make MacLux Pro more compatible with OS-X. These cumulative fixes are included in the latest version, v2.2.

MacLux Pro is no longer being developed and v2.2 is the last version that will be released. LXSeries software, some of which is based on MacLux pro, is written for OS X and other operating systems. To learn more about LXSeries, click here.

Export File Compatability

MacLux Pro is no longer available. However, the final version, 2.2 has the ability to export .lxxplot files. This file format is an XML based format that can be opened by LXFree running under OS X; by LXFree for Java running on either Windows or Linux; and by LXBeams for iPad.

MacLux Pro 2.2 is able to export the lights, lines, and attached information from plots in lxxplot format.

MacLux Pro saves its files in a binary HFS format using both the data and resource forks of the classic Mac filesystem. Imported graphics are limited to PICT format and are stored intact as resources. LXSeries lxxplot files do not provide support for imported graphics in PICT format. So, MacLux Pro's export does not include any of a plot's imported graphics. However, graphics can be copied and pasted from MacLux Pro into a copy of LXFree or LXBeams running on the same computer. LXSeries files convert imported graphics to JPEG or PNG format.

MacLux Pro's symbols are programmed into the application using the graphics functions of Classic Mac QuickDraw. MacLux Pro allows custom symbols composed of imported graphics. LXSeries applications store symbols in a simple, cross-platform compatible, XML based file that can be read and converted into the host system's graphics instructions. MacLux Pro's custom symbols are not compatible with LXSeries applications. A custom symbol needs to be created using LXBeams before it can be used in an LXSeries application.