Installing Python 3.1 on Mac

• Installing Python 3.1

  If using a Mac, you need to download and install Mac OS version of python 3.1.3 at URL

  http://www.python.org/download/releases/3.1.3/ After installation, run IDLE.app under Applications->Python 3.1 to start up Python 3.

  To test, try some arithmetic at IDLE's interactive prompt (>>>).

       >>> 3 * 4
      12
      >>> import math
      >>> math.pi *2
      6.283185307179586
  

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• Installing vPython (3D Graphics package for Python) on Mac
  1. First, make sure Python 3.1 is installed as described above.

  2. Using a web browser, e.g., firefox, go to web page
     http://www.vpython.org/

     and select Macintosh under Download. On the new web page under the Python 3.1 heading, download and install VPython-Mac-Py3.1-5.71

  3. You need to install ttfquery and FontTools modules before you can use vPython.

     Visit URL

     http://vpython.org/contents/download_linux.html

     and download and unzip FontModulesPython3.zip

     The files will be placed in the proper place.

  4. To test vPython, run IDLE.app and try the following

            >>> from visual import *
            >>> b = box()
     

     and a new window should open up with a large light grey box that fills the window. Using the right mouse button (or hold the command key), click and drag on the box. You should be able to rotate the 3D box.

Last modified: Wed July 27, 2011