Help please. Can't install picframe on Dietpi

[jlederma]

Hi everyone. I purchased my 1st pi device (pi zero w) last night specifically so that I can build a digital picture frame. I installed dietpi without incident, had no issues installing python3 and pip. When I try to install pi-heif I end up with an error that it can't install "no such file or directory: 'gcc' ".
Due to that error, I also can't install pic3d or picframe.

What am I doing wrong?

[paddywwoof]

gcc is the general C++ compiler and it's normally in the raspbian distribution - maybe it's missing from dietpi, I've no knowledge of that. There might be other packages needed to compile pi-hief but my approach would be to sudo apt install gcc then try again and see what error messages I get.. Google how to install missing packages and keep going step by step.

Let us know how you get on.

[jlederma]

I gave up on dietpi and installed raspberry pi per Wolfgangs instructions.
I have been going step by step through the OS install and then the Pictureframe install. It still bombs on the heif install, first it errored out on a missing "cmake" so I found cmake and installed that, then tried to install pictureframe again and it keeps locking up while building wheels for heif (so far I let it sit for an hour and it doesn't seem to be progressing). Anyone have experience with that?

[helgeerbe]

Hi @jlederma,
this is the fasted way to intall picframe an a clean system I'm aware of: https://gist.github.com/thomasedoff/3973846101da1e7496524be075f1c02f

Can you show us the output of your failing installation of pi-heif?

What happens, if you run

python3 -m pip install -U pip
python3 -m pip install pi-heif

[jlederma]

/

That is the error. I will try to follow the instructions which you suggested to see if they make any difference.

[jlederma]

OK, I tried your suggested commands and the instructions in the link which you shared and they all produce the same result. I added >log.txt at the end of the command on my last attempt and the results are attached.
log.txt

[helgeerbe]

@bigcat88 can you check, what might be the problem with your library?

[bigcat88]

@jlederma on what OS this happens?

[bigcat88]

wow, I see. I never tried to build wheels for armv6l, as even armv7 wheels are not officially fully supported.
if you have a relatively fresh OS(ubuntu 22.04+), you can install libheif(versions >= 1.12.0 are supported) and probably after that pi-heif will be able to build with success.

[helgeerbe]

I just tried it myself. And I don't have cmakeinstalled.

pi@picframe:~ $ python3 -m pip install pi-heif --no-cache-dir
Looking in indexes: https://pypi.org/simple, https://www.piwheels.org/simple
Collecting pi-heif
  Downloading pi_heif-0.11.1-cp39-cp39-manylinux_2_17_aarch64.manylinux2014_aarch64.whl (772 kB)
     |████████████████████████████████| 772 kB 1.7 MB/s 
Requirement already satisfied: pillow>=8.4.0 in ./.local/lib/python3.9/site-packages (from pi-heif) (9.5.0)
Installing collected packages: pi-heif
Successfully installed pi-heif-0.11.1

[helgeerbe]

Can you show me also the complete output

[jlederma]

is there a different command to get that to output to a file? When I asked it to log to a file I only got the "summary" version.

[jlederma]

frame2.log
oh never mind. I got Putty to copy it all to clipboard. See attached.

[jlederma]

Raspberry pi desktop one version behind current  Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Fri, Jun 9, 2023 at 7:13 PM, Alexander ***@***.***> wrote: wow, I see. I never tried to build wheels for armv6l, as even armv7 wheels are not officially fully supported. if you have a relatively fresh OS(ubuntu 22.04+), you can install libheif(versions >= 1.12.0 are supported) and probably after that pi-heif will be able to build with success. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[jlederma]

I just installed raspberry pi os and followed the directions to install pictureframe. The os does the wheels on its own.  Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Fri, Jun 9, 2023 at 7:13 PM, Alexander ***@***.***> wrote: wow, I see. I never tried to build wheels for armv6l, as even armv7 wheels are not officially fully supported. if you have a relatively fresh OS(ubuntu 22.04+), you can install libheif(versions >= 1.12.0 are supported) and probably after that pi-heif will be able to build with success. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[bigcat88]

debian 11 only have libehif 1.11 version which one very old and unsupported.

apt install cmake will install cmake for building it from source.

after each failing step, do: rm -rf /tmp/ph_build_stuff (it is a temp dir that used to build dependencies)

[jlederma]

When I installed cmake it still didn't work. It fails building the wheels for heif every time. Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Fri, Jun 9, 2023 at 7:26 PM, Alexander ***@***.***> wrote: debian 11 only have libehif 1.11 version which one very old and unsupported. apt install cmake will install cmake for building it from source. after each failing step, do: rm -rf /tmp/ph_build_stuff (it is a temp dir that used to build dependencies) — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[jlederma]

when you say "under root" do you mean with the sudo command? if yes, than yes I did. I still get the error,

I am going to try installing the up to date version of Pi Os and see if it works that way.

[bigcat88]

The error is saying clear that cmake tool is missing or has unsupported version.
You can check cmake version by executing:
cmake -version

[jlederma]

OK. I installed cmake and have version 3.18.4
now, if I try to install pi-heif (version 0.11.1 is what seems to be there) it downloads, installs build dependancies, gathers requirements to build wheel, prepares wheel metadata, and then just locks up the entire device while building the wheel for pi-heif (pep 517).

I don't even plan to use HEIF images, is there a way to install PictureFrame without installing HEIF at all?

[ravado]

@jlederma I had the same issues with pi-heif library too, but I was able to install it on my RPi Zero W anyway. The first and easiest way is to install the picframe that is not requiring that library with pip3 install picframe==2022.06.03. This is the latest version that worked for me.

Another approach if you want to have all the latest updates from picframe is a bit wonky. I haven't dig up in logs for long so I cant really explain how it worked for me, but I did several tries, and all ended with success.

1. (sudo important)

sudo apt-get install libheif1

sudo python3 -m pip install --no-binary pi-heif pi-heif -vvv

When it hangs on ~ 33% just cancel it, since it won't build it anyway and proceed with the next command

sudo python3 -m pip install --upgrade pi-heif --no-binary :all: -vvv

It probably will complain about the inability to install pillow lib, but ignore it and continue installing picframe

Then you can try installing the picframe

sudo pip3 install picframe

Please note that picframe package will try to install piheif libs too, and if you were lucky enough that time it should work. If not, you may try repeating steps 2 and 3 again.

To check if all needed packages are installed use

pip3 list

You need to watch for pi-heif and Pillow libs. The first one is more important since the second one should install just fine when installing the picframe itself

[bigcat88]

I had created a PR to not fail of pic-frame work when pi-heif is not installed

#323

[helgeerbe]

I' haven't tested it. But from my point of view I would just remove pi_heif references from the code.

1. Download code from github. https://github.com/helgeerbe/picframe/archive/refs/heads/main.zip
2. Uncompress zip file
3. remove line 47 from pyproject.toml "pi_heif>=0.8.0"
4. from get_image_meta.py remove line 4 from pi_heif import register_heif_opener and line 8 register_heif_opener()

That should be all.

Install picframe.

• ensure, that you are in the source root directory
• python3 -m pip install .

[helgeerbe]

I merged @bigcat88 PR into release 2023.06.12

Install picframe's dependencies manually with pip

   "Pillow>=9.0.0",
    "defusedxml",
    "pi3d>=2.49",
    "PyYAML",
    "paho-mqtt",
    "IPTCInfo3",
    "numpy",
    "ninepatch",

Finally install picframe without dependencies python3 -m pip install --no-deps picframe

[jlederma]

OK, that allowed me to successfully install picframe.
When I try to launch it by using the command "sudo xinit /usr/bin/python3.9 /home/myusername/picframe_data/run_start.py /home/myusername/picframe_data/config/configuration.yaml"

I get the error "ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'picframe'"

any suggestions?

[helgeerbe]

What do you get if you run:

• python3 -m pip list | grep picframe
• python3 -m picframe.start -v
• sudo python3 -m picframe.start -v
• whereis picframe
• python3 -V

[helgeerbe]

I'm a little confused. You are using /usr/bin/python3.9, but your above logs show python 3.7. So picframe might not be located at the right site-package.

[jlederma]

I don't know where along the way I ended up with all of these versions of python, but it does appear that I am in python3.9.
I seem to have gotten things to work (kind of) by running the following command:
"sudo xinit /usr/lib/python3.9 /home/myusername/picframe_data/run_start.py /home/myusername/picframe_data/config/configuration.yaml"

I say kind of because it seems
Uploading Xorg.0.log…
to run, the screen goes black pauses a minute and then goes back to the command prompt. I am attaching the X server log file. Any thoughts?

[jlederma]

hmm. my log file didn't append properly... here it is again
Xorg.0.log

[jlederma]

when I run the first command, the system returns picframe 2023.6.12when I run the 2nd command, the system returns the same picframe version and then the following:PIL: 9.5.0pi3d:2.49yaml 6.0paho.mqtt:1.6.1lptcinfo3:2.1.4numpy: 1.19.5ninepatch: installed but no version infopi_heif: Not found!defusedxml: 0.7.1 when I run the 3rd command I get "/usr/bin/python3: Error while finding module specification for 'picframe.start' (ModuleNotFoundError : No module named 'picframe') Joseph Lederman ***@***.*** On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 11:13:09 AM EDT, helgeerbe ***@***.***> wrote: What do you get if you run: - python3 -m pip list | grep picframe - python3 -m picframe.start -v - sudo python3 -m picframe.start -v — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[helgeerbe]

can you run the last 2 commands from the list also

[jlederma]

I did, the spacing just got lost when I replied

when I run the first command, the system returns picframe 2023.6.12

when I run the 2nd command, the system returns the same picframe version and then the following:
PIL: 9.5.0
pi3d: 2.49
yaml: 6.0
paho.mqtt:1.6.1
ptcinfo3:2.1.4
numpy: 1.19.5
ninepatch: installed but no version info
pi_heif: Not found!
defusedxml: 0.7.1

when I run the 3rd command I get "/usr/bin/python3: Error while finding module specification for 'picframe.start' (ModuleNotFoundError : No module named 'picframe')

[helgeerbe]

I asked for 2 more commands

whereis picframe
python3 -V

[jlederma]

sorry
whereis returns: /home/myusernane/,local/bin/picframe
the other returns Python 3.9.2

[helgeerbe]

OK. So it seems, that you have installed picframe not as root.

But you try to run it over the xinit process as root. This will not work. You have to decide, if you want to run it as local user or everything as root.

To run it as root is simple:

run: python3 -m pip uninstall picframe - to delete picframe. If you have installed the other dependencies also not as root. Delete them as well.
Then run: sudo python3 -m pip install picframe --no-deps

Hope that sudo xinit /usr/bin/python3.9 /home/myusername/picframe_data/run_start.py /home/myusername/picframe_data/config/configuration.yamlwill work then.

[helgeerbe]

Install the other dependencies also als root sudo python3 -m pip install pi3d for example

[jlederma]

Wahoo! I removed all of the dependencies, reinstalled them as root and now it finally works!

Thank you VERY, VERY much for your patience and assistance. I have been an IT professional for more than 20 years (just hardly ever use Linux which is why I seem like a noob) and I know how annoying/difficult troubleshooting with people who are clueless can be.

[helgeerbe]

Happy to read that works finally. Now I'm curious about the graphic performance of the pi zero w. What resolution has your display and does the blending of the images appear smooth?

[jlederma]

Right now I am running it on a 24" display 1920x1080. Mostly it's smooth but it seems to freeze for a second as it really switches from one image to another. Once I finish the build I expect to run it on a smaller lower resolution screen (old 19" monitor) so it should be even smoother. It is definitely displaying the images crisply and matting when appropriate, looks great! One last question, ideally I will set this up so that it starts up at a set time and stops at a different time daily (basically on when we are likely to be in the room and off when we expect to be out.) I know that I could use a motion sensor, but it won't work for me in this case.  From my research, I can probably use cron jobs to schedule the service to start/stop. Is there an easier way? Joseph Lederman ***@***.*** On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 04:08:23 PM EDT, helgeerbe ***@***.***> wrote: Happy to read that works finally. Now I'm curious about the graphic performance of the pi zero w. What resolution has your display and does the blending of the images appear smooth? — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or unsubscribe. You are receiving this because you were mentioned.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[helgeerbe]

check this https://gist.github.com/thomasedoff/3973846101da1e7496524be075f1c02f#1-configure-automatic-control-of-the-display to set up 2 services to turn display on/off on a given time.

I don't know if vcgencmd is still working on the pi zero.

if backlight setting is not working you can try to turn the display on/off vcgencmd display_power 0/1

If the complete vcgencmd is not working you have to spend a litte bit more work.

You can test the vcgencmd commands from the console. Let me know if you are able to dim the backlight, or turn display on/of. If not, I can describe how to setup and use xset

[ravado]

@jlederma By the way, if freezes during picture switching bother you, you can try to create a script to shrink photos to the desired size. Usually, photos are quite large but considering the resolution is 1920x1080 using them as is might be an overkill. I have RPi Zero W with a display of 1280x1024 pixels and with resized images, I have no freezes at all.

[helgeerbe]

Have you tweaked the gpu settings? Like memory split? Which display drivers are available on the Zero W?

[ravado]

I did only basic setup, like

sudo raspi-config nonint do_memory_split 256 && sudo raspi-config

And

Under 1: System Options → Boot Options → Choose B2 Console Auto-login
Under 2: Display Options → Screen Blinking → Disable
Under 6: Advanced Options → A2 GL Driver > Choose G1 Legacy

[jlederma]

I have it hooked up to the new monitor now, everything is completely smooth with no issues. I didn't even set up a memory split yet (default is 64MB out of 512 total for RAM). All that I did was to set:

Under 1: System Options → Boot Options → Choose B2 Console Auto-login
Under 2: Display Options → Screen Blinking → Disable
Under 6: Advanced Options → A2 GL Driver > full KMS GL driver

[helgeerbe]

@jlederma are you running bulleseye? On a pi3 I found that enabling 6: Advanced Options -> A8 Glamor brings really a boost in GL performance.

[jlederma]

yes I am running bullseye, I just made the change to enable a8 Glamor, so far so good. Everything looks great and transitions are very smooth, at least on the software side. Now I need to get moving on turning this old monitor into a nice wood framed display.

[helgeerbe]

Nice to read, that this little pi is capable to handle picframe, if the resolution is not too high.