OK, setting the hardware compatibility to VMware 6.5-7.x worked. I did not have to disable 3D graphics but I did have to install manually (NOT with Easy Install, which still fails). Despite the absence of the GCC libraries and other modules (not installed with the default Gnome Desktop) it appears that VMware Tools actually did install. I may go back and get those modules and then try to reinstall the tools, but for now I think I have what I need. Everything appears to be working OK. I don't see a lot of differences between 17 and 18 offhand.
Thanks, everyone, for all the tips!