[Numpy-discussion] installing numpy, matplotlib, scipy from source on a Mac

[belinda thom]

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
 >>>