Installation

Prev: Part 1: Introduction

PyMFCAD is available on PyPI. The recommended installation method uses uv, but legacy venv/pip instructions are also provided.

Why use uv?

uv is a fast, modern Python package manager that simplifies virtual environments and dependency management:

• Installs packages significantly faster than pip
• Automatically manages virtual environments
• Provides a simpler, more reliable workflow for modern Python projects
• Works as a drop-in replacement for pip in most cases

Python versions

Our dependencies currently support Python 3.10–3.13.

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Recommended: Install with uv

1. (Optional) Create a new project directory:

   mkdir my-mf-project && cd my-mf-project
   

2. Install uv if you don't have it:

   pip install uv
   

3. Create a virtual environment and install PyMFCAD:

   uv venv
   uv pip install pymfcad
   

4. Quick verification:

   uv run python -m examples.full_test
   

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Legacy: Install with venv and pip

1. Create and activate a virtual environment:
   • macOS/Linux:

     python3 -m venv env
     source env/bin/activate
     

   • Windows:
     • Command Prompt:

       python -m venv env
       CALL env\Scripts\activate
       

     • Windows PowerShell:

       python -m venv env
       .\env\Scripts\Activate.ps1
       

2. Install PyMFCAD from PyPI:

   pip install pymfcad
   

3. Quick verification:

   python -m examples.full_test
   

Developing from source

If you are working from the repository, use the Makefile targets below (requires uv).

1. Clone or download the repository.
2. In a terminal, change into the repository root.
3. Use the targets below to install and run the project.

Makefile targets

• make init — creates the virtual environment, installs Python packages, and installs JS dependencies
• make build — builds the docs, Vite site, and packages with uv
• make serve — updates docs, builds the Vite site, and serves the PyMFCAD webpage
• make test — runs all PyTest test cases
• make test-coverage — runs all PyTest test cases. Outputs code coverage in htmlcov
• make run <python file> — runs a Python file
• make mem-profile <python file> — runs a Python file with heaptrack
• make py-profile <python file> — runs a Python file with cProfile
• make web-install — installs JS dependencies
• make web-build — builds the Vite site
• make clean — removes all build products

Troubleshooting

Issue: pip install uv succeeds, but the uv command is not found.

Fix: Run pip show uv and add the reported install location to your PATH.

Issue: pip install pymfcad fails while building the manifold3d wheel.

Fix: Verify your Python version is supported (Python 3.10–3.13).

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Next: Part 3: Using the Visualizer