Changes: Download and installing PySwarm

Latest revision as of 03:19, 26 January 2014

To use PySwarm, you will first need to download and install:

Python, a programming language needed for PySwarm

PyCarrara, a plug-in for Carrara

The latest version of PySwarm

The Python Programming Language[]

NOTE: If you already have Python installed on your computer, you can skip this section of the guide.

First download Python 2.6.6.

If you are using the 32-bit (not x64) versions of either Carrara 8.1 or 8.5, use this link: http://www.python.org/ftp/python/2.6.6/python-2.6.6.msi

If you are using the 64-bit versions of either Carrara 8.1 or 8.5, use this link: http://www.python.org/ftp/python/2.6.6/python-2.6.6.amd64.msi

Once it is downloaded, run the installer. This should complete the installation.

For troubleshooting problem with the Python installation, read more by going here.

NOTE: There are later versions of Python available, but I have not tested whether they work properly with PyCarrara (nor, as I understand, has the developer of PyCarrara).

The PyCarrara Plug-In for Carrara[]

NOTE: If you already have the PyCarrara V1.0 plug-in installed on your computer, you can skip this section of the installation.

After you have installed Python, you will need to download and install the latest version of the PyCarrara plug-in for Carrara. You can find this on SourceForge at: http://sourceforge.net/projects/pycarrara/files/

Choose the file “PyCarrara-Win-1.0.zip” to download.

Once downloaded, save the unzipped contents to a folder. Then make sure you do not have Carrara running.

To install the plug-in (so Carrara can use the PyCarrara features needed by PySwarm), you will need to copy (drag and drop) the following files to your Carrara directories:

If you are using the 32-bit version of Carrara 8.1 or 8.5 - Copy the contents of the folder “C8_Win32/Extensions” (the files, not the folder) into “C:/Program Files (x86)/DAZ 3D/Carrara 8.1/Extensions” (or wherever you installed Carrara). This should include 3 files (a .TXT file, a .DAT file, and a .MCX file) and a folder named "plugins".

If you are using the 64-bit version of Carrara 8.1 or 8.5 - Copy the contents of the folder “C8_x64/Extensions” (the files, not the folder) into “C:/Program Files/DAZ 3D/Carrara8.5/Extensions” (or wherever you installed Carrara x64). This should include 3 files (a .TXT file, a .DAT file, and a .MCX file) and a folder named "plugins".

The same version of Python and PyCarrara work with both Carrara 8.1 and 8.5. The difference is in whether you are using a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system and Carrara. You can verify PyCarrara is correctly installed by following these steps:

Start Carrara
Open any Carrara scene (or create a new one)
Add or select any object in the scene
Go to the "Modifiers" tab and click "+"
If "PyModifier" is in the drop-down list of modifiers, then PyCarrara should be installed and working.

For troubleshooting problem with the PyCarrara installation, read more by going here.

Latest Version of the PySwarm Package[]

The latest version of PySwarm is V0.6.

You can download the PySwarm V0.6 Installer with the following link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8V9-txK8F4MZk41MElqR0xPbEk/edit?usp=sharing

Select “Download” under "File". You can run the installer directly from your download directory.

Note: If you are unable to download an executable file, you can download a .ZIP version and unzip the installer:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8V9-txK8F4McVJhWXJkcE9ibVE/edit?usp=sharing

For detailed instructions on how to install and uninstall PySwarm, go to the following wiki page: here.

PySwarm Version Release History[]

0.3: Initial release (10/25/2013)
0.3.1: Bug fix when no camera or focus are used (10/25/2013)
0.3.2: Bug fix when using “Attractor” object (10/29/2013)
0.4: New features added (11/04/2013)
0.4.1: Four bug fixes (11/18/2013)
0.4.2: Slight enhancements (12/11/2013)
0.5: New features along with the release of PIA V1.0 (12/29/2013)
0.5.1: Several bug fixes (01/02/2014)
0.5.2: Added a few display features while importing scripts and several bug fixes (01/16/2014)
0.6: Click here to read this version's release notes.

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 Once it is downloaded, run the installer. This should complete the installation.
+For troubleshooting problem with the Python installation, read more by going [http://pyswarm.wikia.com/wiki/Troubleshooting_PySwarm#Troubleshooting_Installation here].
 NOTE: There are later versions of Python available, but I have not tested whether they work properly with PyCarrara (nor, as I understand, has the developer of PyCarrara).
 ==The PyCarrara Plug-In for Carrara==
-''NOTE: If you already have the PyCarrara V1.0 plug-in installed on your computer, you can skip this section of the guide.''
+''NOTE: If you already have the PyCarrara V1.0 plug-in installed on your computer, you can skip this section of the installation.''
 After you have installed Python, you will need to download and install the latest version of the PyCarrara plug-in for Carrara. You can find this on SourceForge at:
@@ Line 33: / Line 35: @@
 To install the plug-in (so Carrara can use the PyCarrara features needed by PySwarm), you will need to copy (drag and drop) the following files to your Carrara directories:
-*If you are using the 32-bit version of Carrara 8.1 or 8.5 - Copy the contents of the folder “C8_Win32/Extensions” (the files, not the folder) into “C:/Program Files (x86)/DAZ 3D/Carrara 8.1/Extensions” (or wherever you installed Carrara)
+*If you are using the 32-bit version of Carrara 8.1 or 8.5 - Copy the contents of the folder “C8_Win32/Extensions” (the files, not the folder) into “C:/Program Files (x86)/DAZ 3D/Carrara 8.1/Extensions” (or wherever you installed Carrara). This should include 3 files (a .TXT file, a .DAT file, and a .MCX file) and a folder named "plugins".
-*If you are using the 64-bit version of Carrara 8.1 or 8.5 - Copy the contents of the folder “C8_x64/Extensions” (the files, not the folder)  into “C:/Program Files/DAZ 3D/Carrara8.5/Extensions” (or wherever you installed Carrara x64)
+*If you are using the 64-bit version of Carrara 8.1 or 8.5 - Copy the contents of the folder “C8_x64/Extensions” (the files, not the folder)  into “C:/Program Files/DAZ 3D/Carrara8.5/Extensions” (or wherever you installed Carrara x64). This should include 3 files (a .TXT file, a .DAT file, and a .MCX file) and a folder named "plugins".
 The same version of Python and PyCarrara work with both Carrara 8.1 and 8.5. The difference is in whether you are using a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system and Carrara.
@@ Line 44: / Line 46: @@
 #Go to the "Modifiers" tab and click "+"
 #If "PyModifier" is in the drop-down list of modifiers, then PyCarrara should be installed and working.
+For troubleshooting problem with the PyCarrara installation, read more by going [http://pyswarm.wikia.com/wiki/Troubleshooting_PySwarm#Troubleshooting_Installation here].
-==Latest Version of PySwarm==
+==Latest Version of the PySwarm Package==
-The latest version of PySwarm is V0.5.
+The latest version of PySwarm is V0.6.
-You can download V0.5 with the following link:
-https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8V9-txK8F4MeDhCcUMteTVHSFE/edit?usp=sharing
-Select “Download” under "File" and then copy the contents of the .ZIP file to a blank folder.
-The V0.5 package contains the following three files:
+You can download the PySwarm V0.6 Installer with the following link:
+https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8V9-txK8F4MZk41MElqR0xPbEk/edit?usp=sharing
-*The latest PySwarm script shell, V.0.5 ("PySwarm Shell V05.txt") - A shell or wrapper containing the PySwarm Python script / program, excluding the parameter settings.
+Select “Download” under "File". You can run the installer directly from your download directory.
-*The PySwarm Interface App (PIA), V1.0 ("PIA.exe") - The application executable.
+Note: If you are unable to download an executable file, you can download a .ZIP version and unzip the installer:
-*A generic .CAR starter file to test and use with the V0.5 script - "PySwarm V0.5 Test Scene 1.car"
-I do recommend you create a new directory to hold the application files, so they can be easily updated when new versions become available.
+https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8V9-txK8F4McVJhWXJkcE9ibVE/edit?usp=sharing
-Once you have copied these files into your directory, drag and drop the PIA.exe icon to your desktop and/or your taskbar. This will allow you to launch the application directly from there. The application does not need to be registered with WIndows to run.
-Note that once you have run the application the first time, two new files will appear in the application's directory.
+For detailed instructions on how to install and uninstall PySwarm, go to the following wiki page: [http://pyswarm.wikia.com/wiki/PySwarm_Installation_and_Removal_Procedures here].
-*"Script.pia" - Contains the string that points to the current PySwarm shell needed to generate your PySwarm scripts.
-*"Projects.pia" - Contains the parameter settings for your PySwarm projects.
-You should not edit or delete these files, as they contain important settings and information PIA uses related to your projects, and how to generate PySwarm scripts. However, if for any reason they are deleted or corrupted, PIA will recreate them.
-To get started using PySwarm, I strongly suggest you begin with this wiki page: [[PySwarm Users Guide (Main Page)|here]].
-==PySwarm Version History==
+==PySwarm Version Release History==
 *0.3: Initial release (10/25/2013)
 *0.3.1: Bug fix when no camera or focus are used (10/25/2013)
 *0.3.2: Bug fix when using “Attractor” object (10/29/2013)
-*0.4: New features added (11/4/2013)
+*0.4: New features added (11/04/2013)
 *0.4.1: Four bug fixes (11/18/2013)
 *0.4.2: Slight enhancements (12/11/2013)
+*0.5: New features along with the release of PIA V1.0 (12/29/2013)
+*0.5.1: Several bug fixes (01/02/2014)
+*0.5.2: Added a few display features while importing scripts and several bug fixes (01/16/2014)
+*0.6: Click [http://pyswarm.wikia.com/wiki/PySwarm_V0.6_Release_Notes here] to read this version's release notes.