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Download and Install VPython on Windows |
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(Though it is not necessary, you may wish to uninstall any version of Python earlier than Python 2.4. Use the Add/Remove Programs control panel to remove old versions of VPython and Python.)
Download Python-2.4.1.msi and VPython-Win-Py2.4-3.2.9.exe and install them by double-clicking on the files.
IMPORTANT: You must install Python before installing VPython.
IMPORTANT: Let Python install into its default location (C:\Python24), not into Program Files.
Problems have been reported when Python was installed into Program Files.
Note to experienced users of IDLE: The VPython installer overwrites the Python file Lib\idlelib\config-main.def to add the Visual reference manual to the Help menu, and to make the defaults editor-on-startup= 1 and autosave= 1, as these have proved to be appropriate for most new users of VPython. You may wish to edit the file to reset these parameters to zero, or use the Options menu to reconfigure these options, or save a copy of the file before installing VPython and restore it afterwards.
Be sure to read the section below, "To start using VPython."
The VPython installer installs the Visual 3D module, example programs, and Visual documentation into Lib/site-packages/visual in the Python folder. It also installs if necessary the Numeric module, which Visual requires. A shortcut to IDLE and the VPython example programs is placed on the desktop.
If you are using Windows 95, you may need to install OpenGL, the graphics library used by VPython.
Start IDLE by doubleclicking the "IDLE for Python" shortcut on the desktop.
Open an example program -- for example, bounce2.py.
Press F5 to run (or use the Run menu).
Every time you run, your files are automatically saved (if you have changed them).
Choose Visual on the Help menu for documentation.
You can also start IDLE from the "Python 2.4: IDLE (Python GUI)" entry on the Programs portion of the Windows Start menu, then open an example program in C:\Python24\Lib\site-packages\visual\examples.
Once you have downloaded the VPython package, later revisions to components of this package can be downloaded separately below. If in doubt about whether you are up to date on all components, simply install the complete VPython package.
For help with installation problems, see FAQ
or
Read
archives or subscribe to the VPython user group