Help with OpenVSP Python API

[João Vitor Ribeiro Centeno]

Good evening everyone,

I am using the OpenVSP Python API in my academic research to develop a genetic algorithm for aircraft optimization. However, I am facing an issue during the installation/setup process.

When I try to run "vsp.VSPCheckSetup()" through the Python interface, I get the error "VSPAERO not found" (shown below). I followed the instructions in the README file and some online tutorials. I also tried copying the VSPAERO executable files into the Python folder (shown below), but the problem still persists.

My setup is:

OpenVSP version: 3.21.2
Python version: 3.6.13
Operating system: Windows 11

Has anyone experienced a similar issue or knows how to correctly configure the VSPAERO path for the Python API?

Thank you very much for your help.

Best regards,
João Vitor

[Rob McDonald]

OpenVSP 3.21.2 is ancient.  I don't think we had figured out how to properly install the VSPAERO stuff with the OpenVSP Python package back then.

You need to update to something recent.  Preferably the latest 3.48.2.

Then, you should be able to install the OpenVSP Python package.  That will install VSPAERO to the correct place.

Rob

[João Vitor Ribeiro Centeno]

Good morning Rob,

Thank you for your reply.

I have now installed the latest version of OpenVSP (3.48.2) and I believe I followed all the installation steps correctly. Could you please confirm if my setup procedure is correct?

Here is what I did:

- After installing OpenVSP, I created a new Python 3.13 environment using Anaconda.
- Then I opened PowerShell, activated the Python 3.13 conda environment, navigated to the OpenVSP Python directory (as described in the README file), and executed `setup.ps1`.
- This created a `vsppytools` package inside the Anaconda environment.

After that, I ran some of the example Python tests within this environment:
- `test.py`
- `test_vsp_api.py`
- `test_degen_geom.py`

The first two ran successfully, but `test_degen_geom.py` produced an error.

Additionally, once the `vsppytools` environment is created successfully, can I assume that the OpenVSP Python API installation is correct (mainly VSPAERO)? Besides that is there a "checkup" that I can run in Terminal (like in 3.21.2 version)?

Thank you again for your help.

Best regards,
João Vitor

[Rob McDonald]

Run python, then try loading the openvsp package....

# python

> import openvsp as vsp

Does that work?  If so, it should be fine.

It does not terribly surprise me that test_degen_geom.py has some errors.  Can you post what they are?

I am not a strong Python person.  I am the last person you should ask for help / advice about anything Python.

Rob

[Brandon Litherland]

While you have Python running, either in console or an IDE, run "pip install -r requirements-dev.txt" from the python/ folder.

Should set everything up correctly.