Programming with Python for Digital World Builders

Transcription

1 Programming with Python for Digital World Builders System Setup (Microsoft Windows) The following instructions will lead you through the steps necessary to install and configure the software necessary to try Python coding at home using Python and Minecraft via the Raspberry Jam mod. Note: The original instructions that inspired this course can be found here ( but that I have modified slightly and included the Notepad++ editor. Step 1: Download and install Minecraft (desktop edition) Minecraft is required on your desktop so install the latest version before continuing if you already have Minecraft installed you can skip to Step Download Minecraft from Lesson 1: System Setup 1

2 2. Once Minecraft is installed launch the game, log in and then click the Play button on the launcher to ensure that everything is downloaded and ready to go. Minecraft launcher, click the Play button to ensure Minecraft is ready to go. 3. Exit Minecraft to install the Forge in the next step. Lesson 1: System Setup 2

3 Step 2: Install Forge for Minecraft The Forge application manages Minecraft mods and is needed for the Raspberry Jam Mod. 1. Exit Minecraft and the Minecraft Launcher (if it is currently running). 2. Download Forge installer for your version of Minecraft from: 3. Run the Forge installer the default settings should work. 4. Launch Minecraft. Lesson 1: System Setup 3

4 5. When the Minecraft Launcher window appears you need to select the new Forge profile before starting Minecraft. 6. Once you have selected the new Forge profile click the Play button to launch Minecraft with Forge to make sure everything is working. 7. Once Minecraft starts exit Minecraft so we can install the mod. Lesson 1: System Setup 4

5 Step 3: Install Raspberry Jam mod (Windows installer) The Raspberry Jam mod adds the ability to control Minecraft using Python so we need to download the mod and install it where the Forge modifier can start it up. 1. Download the Raspberry Jam installer (RaspberryJamMod-Installer.exe) here: Lesson 1: System Setup 5

6 2. Run the installer: Important: make sure the Sample Python scripts and mcpi framework are checked (as above) for installation. Lesson 1: System Setup 6

7 Step 4. Install Notepad++ (optional) We will be using the Notepad++ editor in class so you can install it or you can use the built-in IDLE editor provided with Python (or any other editor of your choosing). 1. Download Notepad++ from 2. Choose the Notepad++ Installer 64-bit x64 installer option and click to download. 3. Install the application once it is finished downloading. Lesson 1: System Setup 7

8 Step 5: Testing the mod 1. Launch Minecraft, making sure that you use the Forge profile. You should a screen like this after clicking the Play button on the Minecraft Launcher: Note: this is the launcher for Minecraft your Window should be titled Minecraft Lesson 1: System Setup 8

9 2. Once Minecraft starts verify that the Raspberry Jam mod is installed and running by clicking the Mods button: Lesson 1: System Setup 9

10 3. You should see the Raspberry Jam Mod listed on the left side (your version number/letter may be different). 4. Click the Done button to return to the main Minecraft page and click Single Player so we can create a new single player world to test the mod. Lesson 1: System Setup 10

11 5. Click the New World button and name your world Jam World. Click the Game Mode: button to change to Game Mode: Creative and then click the More World Options button and click the World Type: button to change it to World Type: Superflat then click the Create New World button at the bottom to create your new world. Lesson 1: System Setup 11

12 6. Once Minecraft starts type: /py donut 7. If all goes well, a giant glass donut will be drawn around you, and then it will be filled with water as above if you see this then you are done and can move on to other scripts. Possible errors: 1. If you get something like a Script not found error, this probably means that you don't have the sample scripts installed in the %appdata%\.minecraft\mcpipy folder so you will need to download them (python-scripts.zip) from here: and and install them following the instructions in Step 4 here: 2. If you get a 'Cannot run program "python"' error, you don't have your python directory in your system path. You may want to add it manually to the path, or just reinstall python, following the directions in Step 3 of my python install step here: Lesson 1: System Setup 12

13 Step 6: Start programming! Once you have the mod installed you are ready to start programming your own scripts or the scripts from class. To do this you need to ensure Minecraft is running, with the Raspberry Jam mod (as shown above) and then you need to launch your editor (Notepad++ or other), create your own script, save it and run it within Minecraft as shown above. Important: You must save your scripts in the mcpipy directory in order for the Raspberry Jam mod to see it and execute it. Loading the sample scripts (like donut.py): 1. Launch Notepad++ (or your editor of choice) and take a look at the sample scripts. 2. Click the Open icon or choose File > Open from the menu and type %appdata% into the File name box and press Enter. Lesson 1: System Setup 13

14 3. Double click the.minecraft folder. 4. Double click the mcpipy directory: Lesson 1: System Setup 14

15 5. Double click on any of the samples to open them. Lesson 1: System Setup 15

16 Where to save your scripts: Important: You must save your Python scripts to the following directory (on Windows): %appdata%\.minecraft\mcpipy So to save your own script called sample.py you would type the following filename: %appdata%\.minecraft\mcpipy\sample.py Note: If you are already in the mcpipy folder (as shown above) then you can simply type the name of your new script, sample.py, and click the Save button. Lesson 1: System Setup 16

17 Reference Links: - Minecraft (desktop edition as of Oct 7, 2016): o - Forge: Minecraft modifier (version ) o - Python: 3.x (Python as of Oct 7, 2016) o - Editor: Notepad++ o - RaspberryJam Mod: o Lesson 1: System Setup 17