With python-matplotlib-1.2.0-4.fc18.x86_64, importing pylab gives an ImportError: ImportError: No module named backend_tkagg If pylab is unsupported due to a missing dependency, then pylab.py should not be included in the RPM. If pylab should be able to work even without backend_tkagg, then matplotlib should be patched to not try to load this backend.
Thanks for the bug report. I did the update to python-matplotlib-1.2.0 and this was not properly tested. Right now I suggest either installing python-matplotlib-tk or running something like: $ echo "backend: gtk" >> ~/.matplotlib/matplotlibrc I will try to make a newer update to correct this issue (using tk as default backend and splitting it in a separate package).
I did build f18 and rawhide test packages and this problem has been fixed. The main cause was that it did not default to the gtk backend because setup.py was failing to "detect" a working pytgk, wrapping it with xvfb-run corrected the problem. I also update the package slightly to correct a bug in the tk detection patch and reenabled the wx backend, that is supported only in the python2 build. Also in the commit I did split the qt4 backend and added proper requires.
python-matplotlib-1.2.0-5.fc18 has been submitted as an update for Fedora 18. https://admin.fedoraproject.org/updates/python-matplotlib-1.2.0-5.fc18
Package python-matplotlib-1.2.0-5.fc18: * should fix your issue, * was pushed to the Fedora 18 testing repository, * should be available at your local mirror within two days. Update it with: # su -c 'yum update --enablerepo=updates-testing python-matplotlib-1.2.0-5.fc18' as soon as you are able to. Please go to the following url: https://admin.fedoraproject.org/updates/FEDORA-2012-19809/python-matplotlib-1.2.0-5.fc18 then log in and leave karma (feedback).
python-matplotlib-1.2.0-5.fc18 has been pushed to the Fedora 18 stable repository. If problems still persist, please make note of it in this bug report.