boxespy/documentation/src/install.rst

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Installation
============
Boxes.py is a pure Python project that does support the regular setuptools
method of shipping with :code:`setup.py`. :code:`setup.py --help-commands` and
:code:`setup.py CMD --help` provide the necessary documentation for building,
installing or building binary formats.
Requirements
------------
Cairo
.....
Boxes.py is based on the cairo graphics library. It supports both the PyPi
version :code:`cairocffi` and :code:`python-cairo` that might be shipped with
your distribution.
Markdown
........
:code:`Markdown` (package name may be :code:`python-markdown` or
:code:`python3-markdown`) is used to format the description texts.
LXML
....
:code:`lxml` (package name may be :code:`python-lxml` or :code:`python3-lxml`)
is needed for the Inkscape plugin.
setuptools
..........
Setup.py uses the :code:`setuptools` library (package name may be
:code:`python*-setuptools`). You only need it if you want to build the
package.
ps2edit
.......
While not a hard requirement Boxes.py uses :code:`ps2edit` to offer formats
that are not supported by Cairo: DXF, gcode, PLT. Currently the location
Boxes.py looks for :code:`ps2edit` is hard coded to :code:`/usr/bin/pstoedit`
in the :code:`boxes.formats.Formats` class.
Python
......
Boxes.py is implemented in Python 3. It used to work on Python 2.7,
too. But with the Python 2 approaching end of life support has been dropped.
Sphinx
......
For building the documentation locally you need the *Sphinx* documentation
generator (package name may be python-sphinx or python3-sphinx). It is
not needed for anything else. Boxes.py can be run and changed just
fine without.
Running from working dir
------------------------
Due to lazy developer(s) Boxes.py can also run from the Git checkout.
The scripts in :code:`scripts/` are all suppossed to just work right
after :code:`git clone`. The Inkscape needs a bit manual work to get
running. See below.
Inkscape
--------
**As binary**
Boxes.py can be used as a set of Inkscape plugins. The package does
install the necessary .inx files to :code:`/usr/share/inkscape/extensions`
on unix operating systems. The .inx files assume that the :code:`boxes`
executable is available in the path (which it is when installing the
binary package)
**git repository easy way**
After cloning it may be most convenient to generate the .inx files
right in place by executing :code:`scripts/boxes2inkscape` with the taget
path as only parameter.
- global: :code:`scripts/boxes2inkscape /usr/share/inkscape/extensions/`
- userspace: :code:`scripts/boxes2inkscape ~/.config/inkscape/extensions/`
On non unix operating the target directories may differ. You can look
up the directories *"User extensions"* and *"Inkscape extensions"* within
the Inkscape preferences *Edit -> Preferences... -> System*.
**git repository manual way**
:code:`setup.py build` creates the :code:`*.inx` files in the :code:`inkex/` directory.
They then have to be copied in either the global or the per user
extension directory of Inkscape. These are
:code:`/usr/share/inkscape/extensions/` and
:code:`~/.config/inkscape/extensions/` on a unix operating system.
On non unix operating the target directories may differ. You can look
up the directories *"User extensions"* and *"Inkscape extensions"* within
the Inkscape preferences *Edit -> Preferences... -> System*.
As an alternative you can create a symlink to the :code:`inkex/` directory
within the desired inkscape extension directory.
Platform specific instructions
------------------------------
.. toctree::
:maxdepth: 2
:glob:
install/*