MGL & ePMV install (Mac)

Install MGLTools

Download the MGLToolsPackage v1.5.6 that matches your computer's operating system from the mgltools website MGLtools. You can currently run 64bit versions of MGLTools on Linux, but only 32bit versions exist for Mac and Windows systems. If you were already running a copy of MGLTools v1.5.6 from a nightly build earlier than November 5, 2010, you'll need to install a new copy using the .tar.gz version of the installer appropriate for your system. If you're a first time user, just download the standard installer from the left column.

Write down the choosen installation directory e.g. /Library/MGLTools/1.5.6 during installation.

You need readwrite permission to write the needed files into the MGLToolsPckgs directory, so change your Application and Library folder permissions accordingly.

If you did not install your host software into one of the standard locations shown below, you will have to manualy set these directories with the installer browser:

    • Blender: (see here)

    • Cinema4D R11.5: /Application/MAXON/Cinema4D R11.5/plugins/Py4D/

    • Cinema4D R12: /Users/YourName/Library/Preferences/MAXON/CINEMA4D R12/plugins or C:\Documents and Setting\$username\Application Data\MAXON\CINEMA4D R12\plugins. You can find it following theses instruction from the Python C4D FAQ:

"At the bottom of the Preferences dialog window is the Open Preferences Folder... button. Program preferences and all other user-specific data (libraries, etc.) are saved to a CINEMA 4D folder named according to the version number in a location defined by your operating system (not in a CINEMA 4D program directory as in previous versions). This location will be opened in your Explorer/Finder window when you click on the Open Preferences Folder...button."

    • Maya 2011: /Users/Shared/Autodesk/maya/2011/plug-ins/

Special Patch for C4D 11.5 on a Mac Only

To install ePMV cinema4D R11.5, first extract this Py4D archived into the C4d plugin directory in /Applications/MAXON/CINEMA 4D R11.5/plugins/ using either the finder or a terminal. Then, you can follow steps 1-2 above.

Integrate MGLTools into 3d software via ePMV

The installer application can be found in the $MGLTOOLS/bin directo ry. After Nov. 9, 2010, simply browse to this directory and double click the epmvInstall executable file. Alternatively (or for MGLTools versions Nov. 8th and earlier) you can run it using a single command in a terminal window and you'll only need to do this once. If you're unfamiliar with unix commands, you can find more details here : command line installation.

Once the widget pops up, check the appropriate button(s) for the package(s) you installed in part 1 above. The installer widget will show the default directories where it expects to find your application's plugin folder in the upper right of the widget (see image below). If you know that you opted for a different path, or the installer fails, manually check to ensure this path is correct. If incorrect, choose set_dir to browse for the plugin folders manually. The search option may take hours so we recommend avoiding it.

Click INSTALL. This will copy the gui interface and edit the appropriate file in order to change the PYTHONPATH to make ePMV available in the chosen host application.

The e PMV plugin should work next time you launch the host, and you should now be able to access ePMV under the specific host plugin menu. Check how to the get started page.

If you encounter any difficulties or error during this process check the troubleshooting page and the forum.