Tape Measure Basic Step Up - SDK File & Virtualenv
This setup guide is for Windows 10/11 users only!
System Requirements:
Must have any python version above 3.6 (3.8 recommended).
No python? No problem! Download it here.
You also must have a python code editor such as Virtual Studio Code (my choice but up to you).
Download VS Code here. Make sure you install the one for your OS.
Please be sure to install the python extension.
*Click on the extensions button
*Type “python” into the search bar and it should be the first option by Microsoft
Spot SDK File:
Open Command Prompt and paste in the command:
git clone https://github.com/boston-dynamics/spot-sdk.git
This should automatically install and unzip the Spot SDK
If this doesn't work there is a manual way to do it further down.
*Should look like this:
After that we need to open the SDK as a workspace in Vs Code. (Skip this and do your own thing if you’re using a different software).
To do this we need to locate the spot-sdk file. It will be located at were ever you indicated before the git clone command. In this example case it’s located in drive C -> folder user -> Caicheng Li; giving you the address: C:\Users\Caicheng Li.
Left click on the file and there should be an option to “Open with Code”
If your on windows 11 you have to click on “show more options”
*Should look something like this:
After opening It should look something like this, with the contents of the folder on either the left- or right-hand side of the window.
This is how you will access the spot-sdk (more on why it’s important in a later doc)
If this for some reason does not work for you, you can manually install it by going here.
*Click on the green “Code” button
*Then click Download ZIP
*After it finishes downloading, right-click on the folder in your download and click on extract all
*Open the extracted folder and right-click it to “Open with Code.”
*It should look something like this, with the contents of the folder on either the left- or right-hand side of the window.
This is how you will access the spot-sdk (more on why it’s important in a later doc)
Pip Installation:
Open command prompt again.
To check if you have pip installed use the command:
py.exe -3 -m pip --version
For Windows 11 users:
If you’re on windows 11 use the command:
python.exe -m pip --version
Pip comes preinstalled with python 3.4 and above so you should be good.
It should always return a pip version number such as 19.2.1 (Version doesn't matter).
If it pops up with nothing or an error contact one of the leads.
Virtualenv
Program will be used later, but it’s still good too have.
Open up command prompt again and paste in:
py.exe -3 -m pip install virtualenv
Then paste:
py.exe -3 -m virtualenv my_spot_env
Then:
.\my_spot_env\Scripts\activate.bat
For Windows 11 users:
If your on windows 11 paste in:
python.exe -m pip install virtualenv
Then:
python.exe -m virtualenv my_spot_env
Then:
.\my_spot_env\Scripts\activate.bat
*Should look like something like this:
To go out of the virtual environment type in:
deactivate
This should get rid of “(my_spot_env)”
Spot Packages
Make sure your NOT in the virtual environment.
Paste in the command:
python.exe -m pip install --upgrade bosdyn-client bosdyn-mission bosdyn-choreography-client
To verify you’ve installed correctly type in:
python.exe -m pip list --format=columns | findstr bosdyn
*Should look something like this:
Next go into your python terminal by typing
python.exe
Then paste:
import bosdyn.client
Then:
help(bosdyn.client)
*Should look like this:
