Motorcortex-python installation on Windows

2 minute read

Install Python 3.10 or later

Download Python 3 from the Python downloads page for Windows. Choose the appropriate installer for your system, and make sure it is Python 3.10 or later — motorcortex-python does not import on older versions.

Launch the installer and choose Customize installation.
All options are selected by default (documentation and test suite are optional). Click Next.
Under the Advanced Options select Add Python to environment variables.
Click Install.

Python 3 is now installed.

Installing Motorcortex-python

Motorcortex-python is the core library required for any Motorcortex client application. It provides convenient ways to communicate with Motorcortex-based applications.

Motorcortex-python is installed with the pip tool. You have to be connected to the internet to install packages using pip.

Open a Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key and typing cmd.

Note

It may be necessary to use Run as administrator if the installation command fails.

In the Command Prompt window type:

python -m pip install motorcortex-python

The motorcortex-python package is now installed for the current user.

Alternative installation instructions

Alternatively you can use the Miniconda package and environment management system.

Install Miniconda Python 3

Download Miniconda Python 3 from the Miniconda documentation. Choose the appropriate installer for your system.

Launch the installer.
Click Next.
Click I Agree.
Select who the installation is designated for and click Next.
Choose your destination folder and click Next.
Select Register Anaconda as my default Python.
Click Install to start the installation.
Click Finish to close the installer.

The Conda cheat sheet is a convenient reference when using Miniconda.

Create an environment

Open an Anaconda Prompt by pressing the Windows key, typing anaconda, and selecting it from the results.

In the Anaconda Prompt window, create the mcx-env environment:
```
conda create -n mcx-env python=3.10
```
To remove an environment again, use:
```
conda env remove -n mcx-env
```

Activate the environment

Activate the environment:

conda activate mcx-env

Note

To access this environment another time, open an Anaconda Prompt window and type conda activate mcx-env. To deactivate an environment type conda deactivate.