Why Doesn’t the Python ActiveX Scripting Language Appear in the Preferences Dialog Box?

Sometimes when you open File > Preferences > Scripting > Scripting Language you get a choice of only the following languages:

If you want to use Python ActiveX Scripting but it does not appear in this list, it may be because the Python ActiveX Scripting engine hasn’t been registered yet.

Windows 32bit

If you are using Windows 32bit, you should download and install Python (available from www.python.org). You should also install pywin32 (formerly called win32all or win32com), Mark Hammond’s script extensions for Python (available from sourceforge.net/projects/pywin32/).

| If both Python and win32all are installed on Windows 32bit and you still do not see Python in the Script Language Preferences drop-down list, you can try manually registering the Python ActiveX Scripting engine by running the following script and then restarting Softimage:

    %PythonPath%\Lib\site-packages\win32comext\axscript\client\pyscript.py

Linux 32bit

If you are using Linux 32bit, see the instructions under Installing Python for Linux 32bit.

Windows or Linux 64bit

If you are using Windows or Linux 64bit, there are special versions of Softimage that have Python already installed available from softimage.com/downloads. Be sure to follow the installation instructions.

Installing Python for Linux 32bit

Python comes with your Softimage installation for Linux 32bit. However, if you want to update your Python engine you can download a new version (free) and install it following these instructions:

1. Download the version of Python you want from www.python.org.

2. Build, install and configure Python:

- Use the following config option:

           --enable-shared

- You can also possibly use a custom prefix.

- Execute ldconfig to make the Python .so available.

Here is a command-line example of a typical build-to-configure process:

           % ./configure --enable-shared
           % make
           % sudo make install
           % sudo /sbin/ldconfig

3. Make sure that /usr/local/lib appears before $XSI_HOME/Application/ bin in your search path (/etc/ld.so.conf or LD_LIBRARY_PATH).

Autodesk Softimage v7.5