How to setup a Python environment on Mac OS X Lion using macports

This is a small guide on how to install the basic tools for Python development (including OpenGL) on Mac OS X Lion. For this howto, we will be using macports to install all dependencies.

Requirements

• Macports

Installing the basics (Python 2.7.2 and OpenGL)

• Install macports using the instruction on the macports site (pick the Lion dmg package)
• Install python opengl for python 2.7. This will automatically build Python 2.7.2 and all dependencies. It might take a while to compile…
  $ sudo port install py27-opengl
• Install PyOpenGL accelerate.
  $ sudo port install py27-opengl-accelerate
• Change the default python interpreter (Apple) to the one from Macports.
  $ sudo port select python python27

Optional packages

Cairo

• $ sudo port install cairo
• $ sudo port install py27-cairo

OpenGL extras

• OpenGLContext
• PyVRML97
• PyDispatcher
• To install the packages above, unzip them to separate folders and install them one by one by running the following command in the folders:
  $ sudo python setup.py install

igraph network analysis

$ sudo port install py27-igraph
$ cd /opt/local/var/macports/build/_opt_local_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_release_tarballs_ports_math_igraph/igraph/work/igraph-0.5.4
$ sudo CC=/usr/bin/gcc-4.2 CXX=/usr/bin/g++-4.2 ./configure
$ cd ~
$ sudo port install py27-igraph

Test igraph in python

$ python

Python 2.7.2 (default, Jul 28 2011, 03:26:08) 
[GCC 4.2.1 (Based on Apple Inc. build 5658) (LLVM build 2335.15.00)] on darwin
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> import igraph.test
>>> igraph.test.test()
testAdjacency (igraph.test.basic.BasicTests) ... ok
testEdgeAdjacency (igraph.test.basic.BasicTests) ... ok
testGraphCreation (igraph.test.basic.BasicTests) ... ok
...
testIsBipartite (igraph.test.bipartite.BipartiteTests) ... ok
testAdvancedGradientPalette (igraph.test.colortests.ColorTests) ... ok
testGradientPalette (igraph.test.colortests.ColorTests) ... ok

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ran 137 tests in 0.624s

OK
>>>