Platform-specific instructions: OS X

There are two different ways to install Expyriment on OS X.

Each will rely on an additional (different) Python environment and will not alter the Python environment provided by Apple.

Using MacPorts and PyPi (recommended)

1. Install MacPorts

2. In a terminal, run

   sudo port selfupdate
   sudo port install xorg-server tcl python27 py27-pip py27-game
   sudo /opt/local/bin/python2.7 -m pip install --upgrade pip
   sudo /opt/local/bin/python2.7 -m pip install --upgrade expyriment
   

3. To make the MacPorts Python the one that is called when typing “python”, in a terminal, run

   sudo port select --set python python27
   

   (Please note that this can be reversed by calling the command again, substituting “python27” with “none”).

For the alternative packages (optional):

4. In a terminal, run

   sudo port install py27-serial
   sudo /opt/local/bin/python2.7 -m pip install numpy
   

Manually (alternative)

1. Install Python 2.7.9

2. Install Tcl

3. Install XQuartz (only for OS X 10.9 and higher)

4. Install Pygame

5. Install PyOpenGL

6. Download expyriment-0.8.0-py2-none-any.whl from the release page and install it in a terminal with

   sudo /usr/local/bin/python -m pip install expyriment-0.8.0-py2-none-any.whl
   

For the additional packages (optional):

7. Download Numpy and install it in a terminal with

   sudo /usr/local/bin/python -m pip install numpy-1.9.2-cp27-none-macosx_10_6_intel.macosx_10_9_intel.macosx_10_9_x86_64.macosx_10_10_intel.macosx_10_10_x86_64.whl
   

8. Download PySerial, unpack it, and install it in a terminal with

   sudo /usr/local/bin/python setup.py install
   

Notes

Be aware of multiple Python installations

If, after installation, you get errors about Expyriment (or one of its dependencies) not being installed, chances are you try to import Expyriment in the “wrong” (i.e. Apple’s) Python environment.

Make sure you are calling /opt/local/bin/python2.7 or /usr/local/bin/python, depending on how you installed Expyriment.

Do not start your experiments out of IDLE

If you are using the IDLE editor that comes with the Python installation, be aware that IDLE itself is written in Python. Starting your Expyriment programme out of IDLE (by clicking on “Run” or by pressing F5), might thus lead to improper timing!

We therefore strongly suggest to run Expyriment programmes from the command line when testing participants.