This variable was introduced to work around a change in Python 3.8 around its DLL search path on Windows, following what was done in other projects such as OIIO. However, not only is it bad practice (the change in Python's behavior was intended to fix a security issue), but it was also breaking our Platform Latest CI. Based on the discussion at the TSC meeting today, we should turn this off by default and document the Windows installation instructions to make people aware of the issue.
Note that the Python Wheels are built statically, so this will not impact users who simply do a "pip install OpenColorIO" on Windows.
This variable was introduced to work around a change in Python 3.8 around its DLL search path on Windows, following what was done in other projects such as OIIO. However, not only is it bad practice (the change in Python's behavior was intended to fix a security issue), but it was also breaking our Platform Latest CI. Based on the discussion at the TSC meeting today, we should turn this off by default and document the Windows installation instructions to make people aware of the issue.
Note that the Python Wheels are built statically, so this will not impact users who simply do a "pip install OpenColorIO" on Windows.