Farming Simulator 17 for Mac: The Complete Guide

Source: Love Mac  |  Software download link: “Farming Simulator 17”

“Farming Simulator 17” is an in-depth agricultural simulation and management game developed by Giants Software. The Mac version offers Apple computer users a complete farm-owner experience: players manage a modern farm, operate realistic agricultural machinery, engage in farming, animal husbandry, forestry, and trading, and experience the full cycle from sowing to harvest. This guide will introduce its core interface, complete operation workflow, and advanced tips in detail.

I. Core Interface and Work Area Detailed Explanation

The game interface is designed to be intuitive, aiming to provide an immersive farm management experience. The main work areas can be divided into the following parts:

1. Main View and Heads-Up Display (HUD): The center of the screen is the 3D main view, simulating a driving cab or third-person perspective. The HUD displays key information such as current speed, engine status, tool status (e.g., plowing depth, seed box remaining capacity), and a minimap.
2. Top Information Bar: Located at the top of the screen, it permanently displays the in-game time (which can be accelerated), current funds, and personal and farm level experience points.
3. Lower-Right Tool Status Panel: When driving a vehicle or using a tool, this area displays the specific working status, folding/unfolding animations, coverage range, and more.
4. Map & Menu System: Press the M key or click the map icon on the HUD to open the full-screen map. The map clearly marks your land (green), purchasable land (red), shops (hand icon), sales points (grain icon), and other key locations.
5. Main Menu (accessed via ESC key): Contains core function entries such as “Resume Game,” “Save/Load Game,” “Game Settings,” “Shop,” and “Character & Vehicle Management.”

II. Complete Workflow from Creating a Project to Exporting

This workflow describes a complete game cycle, from starting a new farm to completing a single crop sale.

1. Creating and Loading Saves

Step 1: Launch the game and select “New Game” from the main menu.
Step 2: Select a map (such as “American Goldcrest Valley” or “European Sosnovka”), then choose a game mode (“New Farmer” mode provides more starting funds and tutorial prompts).
Step 3: Name your farm and confirm; the game will automatically create a new save and load it.

Loading a Save: From the main menu or in-game, press ESC and select “Load Game,” then choose an existing save from the list.

2. Initial Setup and Getting Familiar with the Environment

Step 1: After the game starts, press M to open the map and familiarize yourself with the farm’s initial buildings (garage, granary), owned land (highlighted in green), and shop locations.
Step 2: Press ESC to open the menu and go to “Settings” to adjust graphics, audio, and control preferences (such as inverting the Y-axis).
Step 3: Visit the shop (hand icon on the map or press the P key to directly open the purchase menu) to learn about the machinery, tools, and assets available for purchase.

3. Core Farming Loop: Taking Wheat Planting as an Example

Step 1: Plowing

• Method: Drive the tractor to the tool shed and attach a plow (e.g., “GM 300”). Drive onto the land that needs to be cultivated (light brown).
• Operation: Press the V key to lower the tool, and the X key to switch the tool’s working state (e.g., plowing depth). Drive at low speed to begin plowing; the soil color will turn dark brown.
• Position: Once the tool is activated, the panel in the lower right corner will display the working status.

Step 2: Seeding

• Method: Detach the plow, attach a seeder (e.g., “Pneumatic Seeder”), and make sure it is loaded with seeds (go to the seed purchase point or use a seed box to refill).
• Operation: Likewise, press V to lower the tool and X to activate seeding. Drive over the plowed land, and the soil will turn light green, indicating that seeding is complete.
• Shortcut: The R key can quickly refill seeds, fertilizer, and other materials (when the corresponding materials are nearby).

Step 3: Fertilizing (Optional but increases yield)

• Attach a fertilizer spreader and fertilize the light green fields at any stage of crop growth (after seeding, mid-growth); the field will show blue stripes.

Step 4: Harvesting

• Method: When the crop is fully ripe (turns golden yellow), drive the combine harvester and attach the appropriate header (e.g., “wheat header”).
• Operation: Lower the header (V), activate the working state (X), and drive through the field to harvest. The grain will be stored in the harvester’s grain tank.
• Unloading: When the grain tank is nearly full, drive next to a trailer, press O to open the unloading spout, and align it with the trailer to unload.

Step 5: Selling and Profiting

• Method: Drive the trailer loaded with grain to a selling point on the map (e.g., the grain elevator).
• Operation: Drive into the yellow price zone at the selling point, and a prompt will appear on screen. Press I to begin unloading and selling, and your funds will increase in real time. Selling when prices are higher will earn you more profit.

4. Saving and Exiting

Press ESC at any time to bring up the menu, then select “Save Game” to save manually. You can exit the game via the “Quit to Desktop” option in the menu.

III. Advanced Tips for Common Features

1. Hiring Workers: Press H on any activated agricultural machine to hire an AI worker to automatically complete the current field task (e.g., plowing an entire field). This is key to managing a large farm.
2. Quick Vehicle Switching: Press Tab to quickly switch your view between all the vehicles you own, making remote management convenient.
3. Quick Tool Attachment: Align the rear of the tractor with the tool attachment point, and when the prompt appears, press the Q key to attach automatically—no fine adjustments needed.
4. Quick Map Navigation: On the full-screen map (M), double-click any location to set a GPS waypoint, and a directional guide will appear on screen.
5. Economy Management: Check the “Price Table” in the menu to see the daily fluctuating prices of various goods such as grain, timber, and wool at different sales points—buy low and sell high.
6. Multi-Vehicle Coordination: Use “Follow Me” mode (selectable in the hired worker menu) to have a truck or trailer automatically follow your main vehicle, making it easy to run continuous operations with combines.

IV. Common Issues and Solutions

V. Mac Version Shortcut Key Summary Table

By mastering the above interface, workflow, tips, and shortcuts, you will be able to efficiently manage your “Farming Simulator 17” Mac farm, gradually growing from a beginner into a farm tycoon proficient in modern agriculture. The essence of the game lies in planning and patience—enjoy a peaceful yet fulfilling farm life.