VPython 5.0 is mostly out (in release candidate). To tell you the truth, I have been holding off on some vpython programs because I wanted to do them in the NEW vpython, not the OLD vpython. So, if you want to get the new vpython, go to http://vpython.org/index5.html. What is so great about VPython 5.0? Here a couple of things:
- Runs in Mac OS X without X11. Maybe this isn't that big of a deal, but it makes me happy. If you don't use OS X, I guess this doesn't matter.
- Textures. You can map textures and images onto objects. This won't really help with the calculations, but it will make things look pretty.
- Lighting. Again - just a visual thing.
- Log in to post comments
More like this
(alternate title: how to make pretty graphs in vpython)
I am happy. Finally, I can use the visual module in python (vPython.org) and plotting with Matplotlib. Maybe this isn't such a big deal for many of you, but for me, it never worked until now.
In the past, I blogged about plotting in vpython…
Numerical calculations are grand. Of course, they are just another form of normal calculations - like I have said before. So, I have mostly used [VPython](http://vpython.org) for my calculations on my posts. But there is a new game in town: [Easy Java Simulations](http://www.um.es/fem/Ejs/).…
**Pre Reqs:** [Kinematics](http://scienceblogs.com/dotphysics/2008/09/basics-kinematics.php), [Momentum Principle](http://scienceblogs.com/dotphysics/2008/10/basics-forces-and-the-moment…)
What are "numerical calculations"? Why are they in the "basics"? I will give you really brief answer and…
Maybe you know I like numerical calculations, well I do. I think they are swell. [VPython](http://vpython.org) is my tool of choice. In the post [Basics: Numerical Calculations](http://scienceblogs.com/dotphysics/2008/10/basics-numerical-calculation…) I used vpython and excel to do something…
Me too, about the holding off writing programs until I get the new version. I am happy not to need X11 anymore...and very glad to not have to compile with fink! I've been getting excellent propaganda for a few weeks about the awesomeness of vpython 5 (from Bruce Sherwood) so I am very ready for it!
Bummer, my graphics card is not good enough to take full advantage of vpython5! Oh well, there are still advantages.