Troubleshooting: Redshift Installer Does Not Detect Vectorworks 2026 on macOS

Issue:
 

When installing Redshift 2026.9 on macOS, the installer may not detect an existing Vectorworks 2026 installation.

You may experience one or more of the following:

• Vectorworks 2026 is greyed out in the installer.
• The installer displays “Vectorworks 2026 Update 4 not found.”
• Selecting Maxon Redshift in Vectorworks opens a product webpage instead of Redshift.
• The Maxon Redshift tools are not available in Vectorworks.

This can occur when the installer is unable to detect Vectorworks and the required integration files are not added to the Vectorworks user plug-in folder.

The integration can be installed manually using the following steps.

Manual Installation:
 

1. Install Redshift

Quit Vectorworks and run the Redshift 2026.9 standalone installer.

If Vectorworks 2026 is greyed out, continue the installation without selecting it.

2. Copy the Vectorworks integration files

In Finder, press Shift + Command + G, then open:

/Applications/Maxon Redshift 2026/Plugins/Vectorworks/2026

Copy only the following two files:

• CredentialsMaxonRedshift.vwlibrary
• RedshiftForVectorworks.vwlibrary

3. Add the files to the Vectorworks user folder

In Finder, press Shift + Command + G again and open:

~/Library/Application Support/Vectorworks/2026/Plug-ins/

Create a folder named Maxon, then paste the two files into it.

If a Maxon folder already exists, create a backup before making any changes.

4. Copy the Redshift path configuration file

Open:

/Applications/Maxon Redshift 2026/bin/cineware/Redshift/

Copy only:

redshift_pathconfig.xml

Paste this file into the same Maxon folder created in step 3.

For this installation, the following three files should be present in the Maxon folder:

• CredentialsMaxonRedshift.vwlibrary
• RedshiftForVectorworks.vwlibrary
• redshift_pathconfig.xml

5. Restart Vectorworks

Launch Vectorworks 2026 and check whether Maxon Redshift is available.

If the tool is not visible in the current workspace, open the Workspace Editor and add the Maxon Redshift tool to the workspace.

Important Notes:

• ~/Library refers to the Library folder for the current macOS user. It is different from /Library under Macintosh HD.
• Do not copy the files into the Plug-ins folder inside the Vectorworks application folder.
• Do not copy additional items such as redshift4c4d.xlib or the res folder.
• Keep Vectorworks closed while copying the files, then restart it after completing the procedure.