Using PathCam on macOS with Parallels Desktop
PathCam is a Windows application, but you can run it seamlessly on a Mac by
installing Windows 11 (or 10) inside
Parallels Desktop.
Parallels creates a virtual machine (VM) that behaves like a full Windows PC
while letting you switch back to macOS instantly—no reboot required.
Performance & graphics
Parallels passes most GPU work through Apple Metal and supports DirectX 11, so
PathCam’s high‑resolution imaging and real‑time view remain fluid on modern
Macs with adequate RAM/VRAM.
Connecting cameras & USB devices
When you plug your Canon camera (or any USB device) into the Mac, choose
Devices › USB & Bluetooth › <device‑name> in the
Parallels menu to hand it straight to Windows. The device then disappears from
macOS and is controlled entirely by PathCam inside the VM.
Built‑in or external webcams are also recognized automatically by Windows apps.
Common Questions
| Concern | Answer |
|---|---|
| Will security tools (e.g., CrowdStrike) flag the VM? |
PathCam runs in an isolated Windows environment. Ask IT to whitelist the VM’s Windows processes just as they would on a physical PC. |
| Is USB bandwidth enough for live imaging? |
Yes—USB 3.0 is fully supported in Parallels; enable it in Hardware › USB & Bluetooth if needed. |
| Does my PathCam license change? |
Licensing is tied to the Windows hardware ID inside the VM. Run the Hardware ID Checker in Windows and send us the result to convert your trial to a full license. |
| Who helps if something doesn’t connect? |
Contact CS@PathCam.com or call 313‑355‑2338. We’ll walk your IT team through USB mapping, driver installs, or security exclusions. |
Tip: Allocate at least 4 CPU cores and 8 GB RAM
(16 GB recommended) to the VM for optimal performance, and store image data on
the Mac’s SSD for fastest I/O.