Physics VPython installation for PHYS140

Note
This applies specifically to PHYS140, not PHYS160. For instructions on PHYS160, see the Physics VPython Installation for PHYS160 article.

Objective

What follows are the instructions for installing Python 2.7.11 and vPython 6.11 on your Mac or Windows computer in order to allow you to participate in Physics 140 or Physics 411 classes where this software is required.

Caution
Please note that the order in which you install these software packages matters, and installing them out-of-order will likely result in problems running the software.

Note
You will need administrative rights to complete the installations. Also, if you have a previous version of Python or vPython installed, you should uninstall those versions first.

Environment

Chrome OS
Linux
Mac
Windows

Procedure

Download the installation package:
- Mac — Mac-Python-2.7.11-VPython-6.11.tar.gz
- Windows — Choose either Windows-Python-2.7.11-VPython6.11-X64.zip (for 64-bit) or Windows-Python-2.7.11-VPython6.11-X86.zip (for 32-bit).
- Linux and Chromebook — At this time, we do not have a generally supported procedure for installing VPython on these platforms. We recommend that you use Virtual Sites to run remotely on Windows. In the remote Windows session, open the Apps Anywhere webpage and search for VPython. Install the application and you can then launch it from the Apps Anywhere window.
Extract the zip file to your drive otherwise it may not install correctly.
Open the Installation Instructions.rtf for detailed installation instructions.
Test your installation:
1. Open VIDLE (VPython GUI) in the Python program group.
2. Select Open and browse to test.py that is included in this folder. This should open a new window of IDLE showing the code of test.py In that new window.
3. Click Run and then Run Module. This should execute the code and display a short animation of red balls spiraling outward and 4 graphics windows.

Matplotlib

If your instructor requires it, you may need to install matplotlib as well:

Mac — Download and install the Mac package.
Windows — Download and install the Windows package.

Additional notes

Archived Old Installation Instructions (2014_vPython_Instructions.pdf)

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