MagWeb! need your help for mmApi

[Anonymous]

hi MagWeb, I got your solution for this many many months ago on my pc, but now I changed to a desktop and try to install everything again, I ran into some problem. To refresh your memory, this is the tread:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/meshmixer/making-a-gif-file-with-glc-player/td-p/9228792

I have the python 2.7.16.msi (setup exe), I installed it.

after that,

I have the mm-api-master.zip, and I unzip and take the folder out.

So right now, its directory is C:\Users\RedRing.ca\Desktop\Gif_rotate\mm-api-master

I am running Windows 10, I tried the method from before and I got a dll error.

Can you let me know what to do from that step after?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Here hfcandrew posted a mmApi version which runs out of the box on WIN10 following his steps.

I attach a modified version of the MMView code. There were some formating issues which are allowed on macOS but not in WIN10. (e.g. there are double dots in the screenshots's timestamps which do not work as WIN10 filenames).

Remember: This code needs a "turntable" and "screenshots" folder inside documents/meshmixer. You need to create these folders manually.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, the other link is even more confusing. When he said to open POWERSHELL, I am already stuck because I don't know what that is: Please make the instructions easier so that someone with no coding experience can understand! Please make it step by step.

I downloaded mm-api-master.zip, I unzipped it and put the content in a folder.

I downloaded and installed python 2.7.16, what and where is IDLE? what should I do with it?

I downloaded and installed your new mmView.py, what do I do with that?

I am sure the half-cut test would be helpful to those more experienced, but to a newcomer like me, it is just more complicated and I am not sure if that is even necessary.

I just want it to send command to mm to make many png from different angles, If that works, it doesn't matter if it passes the half-cut test. If the half-cut test doesn't work, I don't know any way to fix it anyway, so there is no point.

sorry if it sounds demanding and I know this is not a helpdesk. I am just frustrated that I know your solution will work, because I know all your solutions in the past worked for me. I just need some translations to understand this solution as it is too complicated for a beginner like me.

Thanks

[hfcandrew]

1) Go to windows search and type powershell, then type python.exe, if a red error code comes up then python was not installed properly. If something like this comes up you are good to proceed to step 2.

Python 3.7.9 (tags/v3.7.9:13c94747c7, Aug 17 2020, 18:01:55) [MSC v.1900 32 bit (Intel)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>

2) Go to windows search and just type in IDLE, and open that.

3) From IDLE load the test.py, then run it. It should cut your model. If you cannot even cut the model, which is a super basic command with nearly no room for error, then you won't be able to run a more complex script with libraries and a GUI etc.

4) Now try opening your turntable script. If it does not open but you get an error message in IDLE, post it here.

[Anonymous]

@hfcandrew 

"Python 3.7.9"

Shouldn't it be "Python 2.x" to use the default mmApi distribution?

(BTW: Just ported mmApi to Python3.9.1 on my new WIN10 machine   🙂 )

[hfcandrew]

Ahh yes yes yes, sorry I'm onto to 3, my drive link is still for 2.

Ahh very nice, staying up with the times! I've manage to learn just barely enough to fake my way through to do what I need to for my business, along with lots of help of some family who actually know what they are doing.

[Anonymous]

@Anonymous 

1. Download all files from Andrew's Google drive > You'll get a zipped file > Unzip and move the "Win 10 mmapi Python2" folder to the location you want it to be .

2. Now (assuming Python2.7.16 is installed) you can run the Meshmixer scripts only if they are stored right within that  "Win 10 mmapi Python2" folder. So move the script MMView.py to this location.

3. Launch Meshmixer and load your object.

4. Type "IDLE" in the Windows search > You should find "IDLE (PythonGUI)" > launch it > You'll get a "Python 2.7.16 Shell" window

> In its File menu click Open , go to the  "Win 10 mmapi Python2" folder, select MMView.py and click Open > You'll get a second window with the script. In this window click on menu Run/RunModule to run the script and to get its small interface controlling Meshmixer.

If that doesn't work: Your user account is named "RedRing.ca". Not sure if that is a problem actually. But changing it to something without a fullstop should be better for many cases...

[Anonymous]

@hfcandrew 

Whenever you're willing to try it I'll send it to you.

[hfcandrew]

Thanks, sure thing!