Ginga is written entirely in Python, and only uses supporting Python packages. There is nothing to compile, unless you need to compile one of the supporting packages.
On recent (2012) Ubuntu or other Debian-derived Linux distributions, the following packages are sufficient for all functionality of the basic widget:
- python-numpy
- python-pyfits
Also, depending on which GUI toolkit you prefer, you will need either
- python-gtk
- python-cairo
OR
- python-qt4
Certain Ginga plugins (or features of those plugins) will not work without the following packages:
- python-matplotlib (Pick, Cuts, Histogram)
- python-scipy (Pick)
- python-webkit (WBrowser (online help))
It is highly recommended that you at least install matplotlib and scipy, since there are extremely useful in their own right.
Ginga uses a built in "bare bones" world coordinate system module. However, it will use pywcs (a wrapper around WCSLIB) if you have it installed. If you are experiencing problems with correct WCS behavior I highly recommend installing
- python-pywcs
Install the necessary dependences.
Unpack Ginga to a directory in the filesystem. Set your PYTHONPATH environment variable to the top-level directory where you unpacked Ginga. Run the program ginga.py from the directory or copy it to another location in your $PATH.
The relevant packages are available for Mac, but are difficult to install and configure. If you have successfully installed Ginga on a Mac, please edit the instructions here.
The relevant packages are available for Windows, but are difficult to install and configure. If you have successfully installed Ginga on Windows, please edit the instructions here.
No image shows in the display, and I get an error in the terminal about histogram and keyword "density".
You need a slightly newer version of numpy.
I recommend getting at least numpy-1.6.1. You can build it and install it locally under the ginga directory (no need for a global install). It builds relatively painlessly if you have the package python-dev installed. Just unpack the tarball and do
$ python setup.py build
When the build is finished, copy the numpy directory from .../build/lib.XXXXX/numpy to wherever you unpacked Ginga.