This is exactly as expected. And yes it is very much a problem on the regular Conda version too. Anaconda just chose to patch out that check in their version of the package with leads to it apparently working but the figures being partially broken in strange ways because python is not a framework build.

The solution is to either install python.app and use pythonw rather than python or use a different backend such as QT4Agg or QT5Agg which does not depend on a framework build. (Because it's not using Apples native gui widgets)

That being said we really need to update the documentation to reflect this before 2.0.

Ok thanks! Could this also be related to a further issue that I have related to the notebook with the default backend?

As discussed at SciPy 2016 Matplotlib BOF, I have an issue with plotting figures using the default Mac OS X backend in a Jupyter Notebook. I am using Matplotlib 1.5.1 installed using conda install in Python 3.5. A simple example is

%matplotlib
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
plt.plot([0, 1], [0, 1])
plt.show()

The figure actually pops up behind the Chrome or Safari window, and there is no icon in the OS X dock to be able to select the figure. I'd be happy to attach a screengrab if it would be useful.

That is exactly one of the issues that happens with the non framework build where you can't probably forground the figure.

OK thanks, I was advised to switch to the QT4Agg backend anyways, so I'll do that. This issue is solved to my satisfaction, please feel free to close it when you've complete whatever you plan to do with the docs!

There is a solution here for doing it inside the notebook which is slightly more complicated. That example only applies to virutalenv thou

This is related to #6418

For 2.0 I want at least

• Document to use python.app and pythonw in conda. Both in error message and the docs
• Document what to do with a Ipython kernel in the Jupyter notebook. Both for pip and conda installs
• Should we change the error to a warning?

Closed by #7022.