How can I install mayavi on Windows for python 3 via conda?

Question

I have a python 3 virtual environment managed by conda on Windows. I want to install the mayavi package via

conda install mayavi

but it says it requires python 2.7.

user_6504979 · Answer

Here is something you can try:

If you have Visual Studio installed, and Python Native Development Tools installed.

In Anaconda3, you can get VTK7.1.x from clinicalgraphics

conda install -c clinicalgraphics vtk

Open up the VS20xx x64 Native Command Prompt, setting up PATH for python properly: e.g.

C:\Anaconda3\Scripts\activate.bat C:\Anaconda3

Then install mayavi using pip from source.

pip install mayavi

It compiles successfully with VS2017 and Python 3.6 in windows 10.