Can I clone a Mac OS on another computer into a virtual machine on another

[Trophy92]

I have a new iMac 27” using an intel processor. I want to create a Mojave virtual machine in VMWARE Fusion 12 on the iMac. Rather than install Mojave and then migrate my Mojave data from my other computer is it possible to clone the Mojave hard disk data into the virtual machine. 

can I create a virtual machine and point it to the Mojave OS on an external drive?

Also what is the best way to create a virtual machine, install the Mac OS or create a custom virtual machine. 

[ColoradoMarmot]

First either clone the old system to an external USB drive, or make a time machine backup.  Then create a new Mojave VM and during install when prompted to migrate from another mac, plug in that USB drive and migrate from it.  That's the only way (a direct clone won't work).

Note that you won't have 3d acceleration in the guest so some applications won't work properly. 

[Trophy92 · Accepted solution]

Thanks that worked.