VASSAL engine wont start on iMac Catalina

dlazov

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Okay so I am a very experienced Windows and Linux user, but I just got an iMac 27 last Friday and upgraded it to Catalina on Monday.

However I am still new to macOS. I have installed a bunch of programs so far and all my 'developer tools' I am running java 13 and when I try to launch the VASSAL engine the icon blinks a few times on the dock and then goes away.

I am not yet sure how or where macOS stores log files nor how to configure stuff with scripts. In Windows or Linux I'd be able to find the start up scripts or figure out what to do next.

But at the moment I am stumped on why the VASSAL engine wont start so I can import in the VASL module.

Any help, tips, tricks or general good advice for me?

Thanks in advance.

Don
 

CaptCaveman

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I'm on Catalina as well now and it is working fine. That said, my Java version is Java 8 update 201 and it is urging me to update to Java 8 update 231. I'm reluctant to for some reason. :p
 

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> I am not yet sure how or where macOS stores log files nor how to configure stuff with scripts.
The Console app

>I have installed a bunch of programs so far and all my 'developer tools' I am running java 13
This is why it isn't starting.

If you want to use something other than Java8, you need to grab this cut

You'll also have to modify the startup script... looking for my changes....
 

zgrose

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I changed the final two lines of the .sh file to just read:
# fire it up
exec java -classpath Contents/Resources/Java/Vengine.jar -Dapple.awt.graphics.UseQuartz=false -Xdock:name=VASSAL -Xdock:icon=Contents/Resources/VASSAL.icns VASSAL.launch.ModuleManager "${ARGS[@]}"
Right-click the VASSAL application and choose Show Package Contents. Not on my Mac at the moment but I think the startup sh file is a couple levels deep and shouldn't be too hard to find.
 

dlazov

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  1. I really don't want to install java 8 from oracle, I used homebrew to install the latest java.
  2. Technically it should just run on the latest version of java.
zgrose,

I found the sh script and added your line but the net effect is the same.

On mac's can you install multiple versions of java, if so how can you switch?

Using brew to install the cask java was a snap and I like to use it for my development, I really don't want to have to digress back to version 8.

Thanks for the help so far.

Thoughts?
 

dlazov

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I also tried adding a line to the sh file since brew installs 13 here.

# try Apple's Java 13
JAVA="/System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/Commands/java"

But that did not seem to work either.
 

dlazov

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So on Catalina how can one override this message box? This is with the 3.2.18 other cuts.
10561
 

dlazov

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Figured that message box out.

If you click the ? it pops up a help describing how to overcome this issue. Low and behold it works.
 

dlazov

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So VASSAL starts up but now I get this when trying to import VASL.

10562

Thoughts?
 

dlazov

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Gibbs just slapped me on the back of the head!

I had to open the VASL module not import it!

Happy iMac (user)

 

dlazov

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Thank you all for your help!

VASSAL and VASL work on iMac 10.15 with Java 13, with the new "cut's".

You may now continue on your regular schedule programs...
 

Michael R

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Being a Mac user, I followed this thread with interest because I expect to upgrade to Catalina in the near future. I am still running some version of Java 8. VASSAL is the only Java software that I know I am running. Should I upgrade my Java?
 

zgrose

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You will have to install a newer java to run 3.3, you can use what you have for 3.2.
 
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