I am posting this message to both numpy and matplotlib mailing lists because the thread relates to both.
First, Robert Kern kindly provided step-by-step instructions for Macs (PPCs and Intels) regarding how to install FROM SOURCE the packages needed to allow Python to become a viable alternative for Matlab. Details regarding the installation of matplotlib (along with wx, which is supposed to allow the WxAgg backend to work), numpy, and scipy were provided. The reason for installing FROM SOURCE on a Mac is because various packages need to be compiled in such a way that they rely on the same underling shared libraries, etc. for things to work (I've described some problems w/installing from numpy, scipy, and matplotlib dmgs at http://www.mail-archive.com/ numpy-discussion at scipy.org/ msg00481.html). From these instructions, I've been able to acheive numpy.test() anad scipy.test() that run w/no failures -- hooray! However, after installing wx and matplotlib, various problems result: 1) warnings about fonts 2) wx fails to work I've appended the warnings below. These only occur the first time pylab is imported (does this make sense?). After that, I've appended the issues I've had when trying to use wx as a backend. One reason I'd like to be able to use wx is that it appears with TkAgg, running IDLE (w/the -n flag) can hang (see: http://www.mail-archive.com/matplotlib-users@lists.sourceforge.net/ msg02039.html). Point that originally confused me: although wx is needed for the WxAgg backend, you don't need to install the analogous Tk package to use TkAgg PROVIDED you're using MacPython, for that comes bundled w/ an Aqua-based Tk interface. I'm on a G4 PPC, w/OS X 10.4.8, and using MacPython 2.4. Any idea what wx doesn't work? Thanks, --b ONE-TIME WARNINGS: -------------------- Python 2.4.4 (#1, Oct 18 2006, 10:34:39) [GCC 4.0.1 (Apple Computer, Inc. build 5341)] on darwin Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information. history mechanism set up >>> import pylab as P /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.4/lib/python2.4/site- packages/matplotlib/font_manager.py:455: UserWarning: Could not open font file /Library/Fonts/NISC18030.ttf warnings.warn("Could not open font file %s"%fpath) <snip> /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.4/lib/python2.4/site- packages/matplotlib/font_manager.py:455: UserWarning: Could not open font file /System/Library/Fonts/TimesLTMM warnings.warn("Could not open font file %s"%fpath) >>> WX / MATPLOTLIB FAILURE -------------------------- 4 % python Python 2.4.4 (#1, Oct 18 2006, 10:34:39) [GCC 4.0.1 (Apple Computer, Inc. build 5341)] on darwin Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information. history mechanism set up >>> import matplotlib as M >>> import pylab as P >>> M.rcParams['interactive'] True >>> M.rcParams['backend'] 'WXAgg' >>> P.plot([1,2,3]) Traceback (most recent call last): File "/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.4/lib/ python2.4/site-packages/matplotlib/backends/backend_wx.py", line 1048, in _onPaint self.draw(repaint=False) <snip> figManager.canvas.draw() File "/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.4/lib/ python2.4/site-packages/matplotlib/backends/backend_wxagg.py", line 63, in draw self.bitmap = _convert_agg_to_wx_bitmap(self.get_renderer(), None) MemoryError: _wxagg.convert_agg_to_wx_bitmap(): could not create the wx.Bitmap >>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Take Surveys. Earn Cash. Influence the Future of IT Join SourceForge.net's Techsay panel and you'll get the chance to share your opinions on IT & business topics through brief surveys - and earn cash http://www.techsay.com/default.php?page=join.php&p=sourceforge&CID=DEVDEV _______________________________________________ Matplotlib-users mailing list Matplotlib-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/matplotlib-users