CreativePython 0.1.0

A Python-based software environment for developing algorithmic art projects.

CreativePython

CreativePython is a Python-based software environment for developing algorithmic art projects. It mirrors the JythonMusic API.

This package is still under development.

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Quick Install

The CreativePython Install Scripts (Download) install CreativePython and all its required software, including Python3, FluidSynth, PortAudio, ffmpeg, Homebrew (on Mac), and Windows Build Kit (on Windows).

Windows

1. Open win-scripts.zip. Right-click windows_setup.ps1, and Run with PowerShell (it will open a PowerShell window and begin installing).
2. Follow any prompts and let it finish. - If you do not have Windows Build Kit installed, it will be installed as part of this process. This may take some time to complete.

macOS

1. Open mac-scripts.tgz. Control-click mac_setup.command, and Open (it will open a Terminal window and begin installing).
2. Follow any prompts and let it finish. - If you do not have Command Line Tools for XCode installed, it will be installed as part of this process. This may take some time to complete.

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Custom Install

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1. Install Python 3 + pip

Windows

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator (search "PowerShell" in the Start menu, and select "Run as Administrator"). Copy and Paste the following commands at each step.

2. Install Chocolatey if you don't have it. (Documentation) Copy/Paste the following command:

   Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force; [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol -bor 3072; iex ((New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://community.chocolatey.org/install.ps1'))

   When finished, exit this window and open a new PowerShell window.

3. Install Python 3.

   Invoke-Expressed "choco install python -y"

4. Verify that Python was installed.

   py --version

   You should see something like "Python 3.12.4"

MacOS

1. Open Terminal (press Command + Space, type "Terminal", and hit Enter). Copy and Paste the following commands at each step.

2. Install Homebrew if you don't have it.

   /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

3. Install Python 3.

   brew install python

4. Verify your installation.

   python3 --version

   You should see something like "Python 3.12.4"

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2. Install System Libraries

Windows

• Microsoft Build Tools Microsoft Build Tools contains the necessary tools to compile C++ packages that come with some Python libraries.

  1. Open a new PowerShell window.

  2. Download the latest Microsoft Build Tools.

     Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vs_buildtools.exe" -OutFile "$env:TEMP\vs_buildtools.exe"

  3. Run the Installer.

     Start-Process "$env:TEMP\vs_buildtools.exe" -ArgumentList "--installPath C:\Program Files\Microsoft Build Tools" --quiet --wait --norestart --nocache --includeRecommended --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.VCTools" -Wait

  4. Add Build Tools to your PATH.

     [Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("PATH", "$(Join-Path (Get-ChildItem 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Build Tools\VC\Tools\MSVC' -Directory | Sort-Object Name -Descending | Select-Object -First 1).FullName 'bin\Hostx64\x64');$env:PATH", [EnvironmentVariableTarget]::Machine)

  5. Verify your Installation.

     Get-Command nmake.exe

     You should see a list of Applications, likely only containing 'nmake.exe'.

     If you get an error, try the command in a new PowerShell window.

• PortAudio: On Windows, PortAudio comes with our Python libraries below.

• FluidSynth:

  1. Open a new PowerShell window.

  2. Install the latest FluidSynth.

     Invoke-Expression "choco install fluidsynth -y"

• ffmpeg:

  1. Open a new PowerShell window.

  2. Install the latest FFmpeg.

     Invoke-Expression "choco install ffmpeg -y"

Mac

• All Libraries:

  1. Open Terminal.

  2. Install PortAudio, FluidSynth, and ffmpeg.

     brew install portaudio fluidsynth ffmpeg

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3. Install CreativePython

Any OS

1. Open Command Prompt/Terminal.

   pip install CreativePython

   cp-setup

2. When prompted, download the default soundfont (It's FluidR3 GM2-2, by the way). If you choose not to download the soundfont, you will need to provide your own.

3. Verify your installation.

   cp-test

   You should hear a single MIDI note played at C4. If so, you're all set!