OpenGL Program crashing. (Optuma)

[simon671]

Hi All,

I am having an issue with a Open GL program I use (Optuma) crashing.  This seems to be since the latest update.

I don't get any error messages, the program just closes/crashes

Anyone else having issues with OpenGL progams?

Cheers

Simon

-------------------------------------------

[Technogeezer]

Can you provide more details on what's going on ?

• Mac model
• macOS version
• Fusion version 
• Guest operating system type and version 
• If running a Windows guest, what version of VMware Tools are installed?

------------------------------
- Paul (technogeezer)
vExpert 2025
------------------------------

[Technogeezer]

And when you state that this started happening since the latest update, what update are you referring to?

------------------------------
- Paul (technogeezer)
vExpert 2025
------------------------------

[simon671]

Sorry Paul I didn't see your reply.  I didn't realise I had to log in to see replies.

I did solve the problem for a while by changing the Environment variable SVGA_ALLOW_LLVMPIPE=0.

However now the problem has come back and I have tried

SVGA_ALLOW_LLVMPIPE=0. and

SVGA_ALLOW_LLVMPIPE=1.

Neither makes a difference.

Apple M1

macOS Sequoia  V15.6

Fusion Professional 25H2 (24995814)

Windows 11 25H2 Build 26200.7840

VMWare tools.  I can't locate the version number.  When I run the vVMwareToolboxCmd.exe -v it comes back as,  

'VMwareToolboxCmd.exe' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

However, I just did a clean install of Fusion and windows on the weekend and I believe it is the latest version.

-------------------------------------------

[simon671]

I have just updated to Tahoe and have tried both

SVGA_ALLOW_LLVMPIPE=0. and

SVGA_ALLOW_LLVMPIPE=1.

with no differemce

-------------------------------------------

[Technogeezer]

OpenGL isn't supported in Windows 11 ARM VMs by the VMware SVGA virtual graphics adapter if 3D acceleration is enabled. Have you tried disabling 3D acceleration -- from what I saw from the VMware Tools release notes that may provide OpenGL with software rendering.

You might also want to see if the Microsoft OpenGL compatibility pack (found in the Windows Store https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9nqpsl29bfff?ocid=webpdpshare ) might help. 

------------------------------
Paul Rockwell (technogeezer)
vExpert 2025
------------------------------

[simon671]

Thanks Paul, it works.

Disabling 3D Acc was initially worse, program wouldn't even load.  So I turned it back on again.

I then installed the compatibility pack with 3D on.  Still crashing.

I turned the 3D off with the Comp pack installed and it works.

Thanks again

-------------------------------------------

[simon671]

Hey Paul,

The program now works but I'm having an issue with the line width sliders not working.

A few years ago this was a problem and I was given the following solution.

https://www.optuma.com/kb/optuma/troubleshooting-and-faqs/troubleshooting/line-width-sliders-aren-t-working-for-mac-users-with-vmware-fusion

This doesn't seem to make any difference now.  Any advice is much appreciated.

Regards

Simon

-------------------------------------------

[Technogeezer]

That solution isn't going to work any more because Fusion absolutely relies on Metal for its graphics rendering. Turning that off probably tries to tell Fusion to use OpenGL -- which given the deprecated state of Apple's OpenGL and Fusion not using it any more means that it's not going to make any difference.

I'm not sure what to say at this point. It's possible that the OpenGL on Windows ARM doesn't have all the features that the software needs to run properly. It's also posslble that there's a bug in either the Optuma software, the VMware driver, or the Microsoft compatibility pack. It might be worthwhile to run the Optuma System Requirement tests and provide that information to Optuma's support to see what they think. 

Graphically intensive programs (needing GPU acceleration provied by DX or OpenGL) seem to be problematic running on a VM unless the vendor provides explicit support for testing with virtual graphics adapters. The situation is even more problematic on Windows ARM (such as on Surface Pro devices with Qualcomm CPUs). Many times vendors will not provide an ARM native version of their software, so they're relying on Microsoft's x64 to ARM translator. In addition Windows ARM devices typically don't support nVidia, AMD, or Intel GPU cards like you'd find on Intel PCs - which means advice to "update drivers" is not helpful because the display drivers either come from the hardware vendor or the virtualization vendor -- and you're probably already running the latest.  . 

------------------------------
Paul Rockwell (technogeezer)
vExpert 2025
------------------------------

[simon671]

Ok, thank you.  I'll try asking the Optuma guys again.

-------------------------------------------