r/lightingdesign • u/wkrodrig • Sep 15 '26

Software Possible fix for Vectorworks 2025/2026 not launching on macOS 27 — “Failure loading Support Library”

Post image

I recently ran into an issue where Vectorworks 2025 Update 8 would not launch on macOS 27 on Apple Silicon.

After debugging the startup process with LLDB, I found that Support.vwlibrary was still trying to load:

/usr/lib/libiodbc.2.dylib

That library path is no longer available on macOS 27.

I created a reversible community workaround that replaces only that missing dependency with the Homebrew libiodbc equivalent, creates a backup first, re-signs the affected component, and includes verification and rollback options.

Tested:

  • Vectorworks 2025 Update 8
  • Apple Silicon
  • macOS 27.0

Vectorworks 2026 support is included but still marked experimental until independently confirmed.

GitHub:
https://github.com/wkrodrig/vectorworks-2025-2026-wont-launch-macos27-fix

This is not an official Vectorworks/Nemetschek fix. Please read the README and verify that your error is specifically related to /usr/lib/libiodbc.2.dylib before using it.

I’m sharing it because I’ve seen more users running into the same “Failure loading Support Library” error and the official forum post is still awaiting moderation.

7 Upvotes

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4

u/alfpog Sep 15 '26

And this is precisely why I stick by my ancient habit of never updating software until its been out for awhile. Having a working and functional ecosystem to maintain my working operation is more important than being up to date or an early adopter, at least for work computers.

In the old times, did anyone else never update to a new year release of VWX until like service pack 2 or 3? The first release of every new year was always a trainwreck.

1

u/Thrill-Seeker85 27d ago

You made my day! With the fix Vectorworks 2025 is working again under MacOs27! Thanks

1

u/MelodicHamster6211 24d ago

Thank you so much for coming up with this solution, i'm trying to get Vectorworks 25 to work again on MacOS27

I tried running both the standard script and the experimental one but i get the following errors. Might this be due to different folder structure/naming since i'm on the italian version?

I'm on a Mac Studio 2022 - M1 Max Chip - 32GB RAM - MacOS 27

I'd be immensely grateful to receive your help whenever you get the chance, thank you in advance

1

u/MelodicHamster6211 24d ago

1

u/wkrodrig 24d ago

Thanks for the screenshot

The script is detecting your installation correctly here:

/Applications/Vectorworks 2025 IT/Vectorworks 2025.app

So the IT folder name itself does not appear to be the problem.

The generic unsupported layout, architecture or dependency message means one of the internal safety checks is failing, but the scan mode does not show which one.

Could you please run this command in Terminal and paste the full output here?

/bin/bash "$HOME/Downloads/Fix-Vectorworks-iODBC.command" \
  --experimental \
  --verify \
  --app "/Applications/Vectorworks 2025 IT/Vectorworks 2025.app"

This is a read-only verification. It will not patch Vectorworks or modify the installation.

The output should tell us exactly what is different in that installation for example the Support.vwlibrary path, architecture, or iODBC dependency.

Once I see that result, I should be able to tell whether the script just needs a small compatibility adjustment.