Hi
I have created a presentation in Lyx with the beamer class, and wanted
to add some effects to the pdf presentation using “impressive”.
http://impressive.sourceforge.net/manual.php
I think I have all the necessary files:
impressive
Python
Pygame-1.9
PyOpenGL-3.0.1
xpdf-3.02
I just don’t know how to start using it.
For reference, I'm using Mac OSX.
Appreciate any help.
sam
LyX ⇒ Have anyone used "impressive" for pdf presentations?
NEW: TikZ book now 40% off at Amazon.com for a short time.

- localghost
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 9202
- Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:06 pm
Have anyone used "impressive" for pdf presentations?
Impressive is a command line tool written in Python. On the page you linked you will find clear descriptions under »General Installation« how to use it. Read the entire manually carefully and you will know how to handle it (on which platform ever).
Thorsten
Thorsten
How to make a "Minimal Example"
Board Rules
Avoidable Mistakes
¹ System: TeX Live 2025 (vanilla), TeXworks 0.6.10
Board Rules
Avoidable Mistakes
¹ System: TeX Live 2025 (vanilla), TeXworks 0.6.10
Re: Have anyone used "impressive" for pdf presentations?
Still can't get it to work.
Under Installation it says just type : impressive.py demo.pdf
However, it doesn't say where to type this. Anyways, whenever I click on the file "impressive.py", I get two windows:
The first one is {impressive.py window} full of code.
The second one is {python shell}.
I tried typing "impressive.py demo.pdf" but always got syntax error.
I tried another method by right-clicking on "impressive.py" and
then choosing Python Launcher 2.7 or 2.6.5. This gave me a Terminal window
with the command line : ... ~macpro$. I typed the command again here but I got a message saying [command not found].
Under Installation it says just type : impressive.py demo.pdf
However, it doesn't say where to type this. Anyways, whenever I click on the file "impressive.py", I get two windows:
The first one is {impressive.py window} full of code.
The second one is {python shell}.
I tried typing "impressive.py demo.pdf" but always got syntax error.
I tried another method by right-clicking on "impressive.py" and
then choosing Python Launcher 2.7 or 2.6.5. This gave me a Terminal window
with the command line : ... ~macpro$. I typed the command again here but I got a message saying [command not found].
Have anyone used "impressive" for pdf presentations?
This is just a guess, but try something like this:
Open a terminal. At the prompt ~@macpro$ or whatever type in:
but replace /path/to/impressive with the directory where impressive.py is found. E.g., if it is your home folder, use /Users/yourname/ or whatever.
Then:
replace /path/to/pdffile with the directory where your PDF file is.
then:
should work.
Open a terminal. At the prompt ~@macpro$ or whatever type in:
Code: Select all
export PATH=$PATH:/path/to/impressive
Then:
Code: Select all
cd "/path/to/pdffile/"
then:
Code: Select all
impressive.py demo.pdf
Have anyone used "impressive" for pdf presentations?
Thanks,
I got the following error:
last one. I'm surprised because the PyOpenGL has an "OpenGL" folder inside it. Also, the PIL is inside the "imaging" folder. So, it seems everything is
there.
Not sure what the problem !!
I got the following error:
I have the first three programs, and since I'm using a mac I don't need the" Oops! Cannot load necessary modules: No module named OpenGL.GL
To use Impressive, you need to install the following Python modules:
- PyOpenGL [python-opengl] http://pyopengl.sourceforge.net/
- PyGame [python-pygame] http://www.pygame.org/
- PIL [python-imaging] http://www.pythonware.com/products/pil/
- PyWin32 (OPTIONAL, Win32) http://starship.python.net/crew/mhammond/win32/
Additionally, please be sure to have pdftoppm or GhostScript installed if you
intend to use PDF input. "
last one. I'm surprised because the PyOpenGL has an "OpenGL" folder inside it. Also, the PIL is inside the "imaging" folder. So, it seems everything is
there.
Not sure what the problem !!