Fixing Python Installation Issues

After a fresh install of Clarisse, Clarisse may prompt you with an error message regarding a Python installation issue.

Clarisse Python Error Message

Please note that sometimes this error message is not displayed however, you only can see File > Quit in Clarisse’s application main menu bar. These problems typically occur when:

Either case, it shouldn't take more than 5-15 mins to solve the problem! But before finding the right solution, we first have to identify what’s the issue with your installation.

A. Checking Python Installation

Method 1: Using the Python Launcher

This method works only if you installed the Python launcher ("py launcher") when installing Python.

Press the Windows + R to open the Run window, type python.exe and then press the Enter key

If you have an error message such as:

Windows cannot find 'python.exe'. Make sure you’ve typed the name correctly, then try again.

Python is not properly installed. Go to Step B.

If you see a command-line window displaying a message such as:

Python 3.7.9 (tags/v3.7.9:13c94747c7, Aug 17 2020, 18:58:18) [MSC v.1900 64 bit (AMD64)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>

1. If the version number after Python is 3.7.x (not 3.6, 3.8, or higher), Python 3.7 is properly installed. Run Clarisse. If the problem persists, go to Step C
2. If the version number is different or can read something like 32 bit (don't mind the win32), you must first uninstall that version and go to Step B.

Method 2: Checking the list of installed applications

Press the Windows + I keys to open Windows Settings and go to Apps

In the search field, type python and look out for entries like Python 3.7… (64-bit) in the results.

1. If you don't have any Python 3.7 in the search results then Python 3.7 is not installed. Go to Step B.

2. If you find any entries with Python 3.7, try running Clarisse and if the problem persists, go to Step C.

Method 3: Running python.exe from a terminal

This method might not work if you have multiple Python versions installed on your system.

Press Windows + R to open the Run window, type python.exe and then press the Enter key

1. If you get the following error message Windows cannot find 'python.exe', make sure you’ve typed the name correctly (if not try again). If it didn't work then Python is not properly installed. Go to Step B.

2. If you see a command-line window displaying a message such as:

Python 3.7.9 (tags/v3.7.9:13c94747c7, Aug 17 2020, 18:58:18) [MSC v.1900 64 bit (AMD64)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>

a) If the version number after Python is 3.7.x then Python 3.7 is properly installed. Run Clarisse. If the problem persists, go to Step C.

b) If the version number after Python is different than 3.7.x , or if you can read something like 32 bit, you must first uninstall this version and go to Step B

B. Making a clean installation of Python 3.7.x 64-bit

Method 1: Using Clarisse installer

If you didn't install Python 3.7 during Clarisse installation, you can re-run Clarisse installer to install only Python 3.7. Note that Clarisse installer may detect that Python 3.7 is already installed and may skip its installation. Use Method 2 in that case.

1. Run Clarisse installer.

2. In the components page, uncheck everything except Python 3.7.

3. When Python installer has opened, make sure to enable Add Python 3.7 to PATH

To install only for the current user in APPDATA: click on Install Now. To install for all users in Program Files: click on Customize installation, then Next, and in the Advanced Options, enable Install for all Users. Note that you will need administrator privileges to use this option.

4. At the end of Clarisse installer you should see this:

5. Run Clarisse. If the problem persists, go to Step C.

Method 2: Manual Installation

1. Download the latest Python 3.7.x 64-bit installer

2. Run the installer from the downloaded location

3. Make sure to enable Add Python 3.7 to PATH

To install only for the current user in APPDATA: click on Install Now. To install for all users in Program Files: click on Customize installation, then Next, and in the Advanced Options, enable Install for all Users. Note that you will need administrator privileges to use this option.

3. Run Clarisse. If the problem persists, go to Step C.

C. Editing clarisse.env file

Method 1: Letting Clarisse find Python location automatically

This method only works if you installed Python 3.7 in one of the 2 default locations: APPDATA (current user install), or Program Files (Install for all users).

1. Open an Explorer (Press Windows + E) and go to this location: %APPDATA%\Isotropix\Clarisse. You should see a folder for each version of Clarisse you have installed (for example 3.6, 4.0, 5.0...). Go to the one you are having issue to launch because of the python error. You'll find a few files there.

2. Backup clarisse.env file by making a copy, and delete clarisse.env file.

3. Run Clarisse and don't worry about the licensing error. Since we deleted clarisse.env, Clarisse should complain about licensing. Just Select Run as PLE for now to see if the python error is resolved.

a) If the problem is solved, remember to reconfigure license settings using either Licman or directly in the clarisse.env file following the licensing installation instructions.

b) If the problem persists go to method 2 below.

Method 2: Setting Python location manually

Our goal here is to find where python is installed on the system.

1. Press Windows + R keys to open the Run window, type python.exe and press the Enter key.

2. In the python shell, type import sys;print(sys.path) and press Enter key. You should get something like this:

['','C:\\Program Files\\Python37\\python37.zip',
'C:\\Program Files\\Python37\\DLLs', 'C:\\Program Files\\Python37\\lib',
'C:\\Program Files\\Python37', 'C:\\Program Files\\Python37\\lib\\site-packages']

In this example, we can see python is installed in C:\\Program Files\\Python37

3. Go to %APPDATA%\Isotropix\Clarisse. Inside this folder, you should see a folder for each version of Clarisse you have installed (for example 3.6, 4.0, 5.0...). Go to the one you are troubleshooting. You will find a few files there. Open clarisse.env file using notepad or create it if it doesn’t exist.

In our example, Python was installed in C:\Program Files\Python37. In clarisse.env file make sure you have:

IX_PYTHON3HOME=C:\Program Files\Python37
IX_PYTHON3PATH=C:\Program Files\Python37\lib
IX_SHELF_CONFIG_FILE=$IX_PYTHON_API_PATH\shelves\shelf.cfg
IX_MENU_CONFIG_FILE=$IX_PYTHON_API_PATH\menus\init_menus.py

4. Run Clarisse and that's it!