matplotlib · tacaswell · Mar 13, 2019 · Dec 29, 2018 · Dec 29, 2018 · Dec 29, 2018
diff --git a/.appveyor.yml b/.appveyor.yml
@@ -84,14 +84,14 @@ install:
   # and for the wheels
   - del %LIBRARY_LIB%\png.lib
   - del %LIBRARY_LIB%\z.lib
-  - set MPLBASEDIRLIST=%CONDA_PREFIX%\Library\;.
   # enables the local freetype build
   - set MPLLOCALFREETYPE=1
   # Show the installed packages + versions
   - conda list
 
 test_script:
   # Now build the thing..
+  - set LINK=/LIBPATH:%cd%\lib
   - pip install -ve .
   # these should show no z, png, or freetype dll...
   - set "DUMPBIN=%VS140COMNTOOLS%\..\..\VC\bin\dumpbin.exe"

diff --git a/INSTALL.rst b/INSTALL.rst
@@ -174,10 +174,35 @@ etc., you can install the following:
 
 .. note::
 
-   Matplotlib depends on non-Python libraries. `pkg-config
-   <https://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/pkg-config/>`_ can be used
-   to find required non-Python libraries and thus make the install go more
-   smoothly if the libraries and headers are not in the expected locations.
+   Matplotlib depends on non-Python libraries.
+
+   On Linux and OSX, pkg-config_ can be used to find required non-Python
+   libraries and thus make the install go more smoothly if the libraries and
+   headers are not in the expected locations.
+
+   .. _pkg-config: https://www.freedesktop.org/wiki/Software/pkg-config/
+
+   If not using pkg-config (in particular on Windows), you may need to set the
+   include path (to the FreeType, libpng, and zlib headers) and link path (to
+   the FreeType, libpng, and zlib libraries) explicitly, if they are not in
+   standard locations.  This can be done using standard environment variables
+   -- on Linux and OSX:
+
+   .. code-block:: sh
+
+      export CFLAGS='-I/directory/containing/ft2build.h ...'
+      export LDFLAGS='-L/directory/containing/libfreetype.so ...'
+
+   and on Windows:
+
+   .. code-block:: bat
+
+      set CL=/IC:\directory\containing\ft2build.h ...
+      set LINK=/LIBPATH:C:\directory\containing\freetype.lib ...
+
+   where ``...`` means "also give, in the same format, the directories
+   containing ``png.h`` and ``zlib.h`` for the include path, and for
+   ``libpng.so``/``png.lib`` and ``libz.so``/``z.lib`` for the link path."
 
 .. note::
 

diff --git a/build_alllocal.cmd b/build_alllocal.cmd
@@ -23,9 +23,5 @@ mkdir lib || cmd /c "exit /b 0"
 copy %LIBRARY_LIB%\zlibstatic.lib lib\z.lib
 copy %LIBRARY_LIB%\libpng_static.lib lib\png.lib
 
-:: Make the header files and the rest of the static libs available during the build
-:: CONDA_PREFIX is a env variable which is set to the currently active environment path
-set MPLBASEDIRLIST=%CONDA_PREFIX%\Library\;.
-
 :: build the target
 python setup.py %TARGET%
diff --git a/doc/api/next_api_changes/2018-12-29-AL.rst b/doc/api/next_api_changes/2018-12-29-AL.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+Changes to search paths for FreeType and libpng
+```````````````````````````````````````````````
+
+The ``MPLBASEDIRLIST`` environment variables and ``basedirlist`` entry in
+``setup.cfg`` have no effect anymore.  Instead, if building in situations where
+FreeType or libpng are not in the compiler or linker's default path, set the
+standard environment variables ``CFLAGS``/``LDFLAGS`` on Linux or OSX, or
+``CL``/``LINK`` on Windows, to indicate the relevant paths.
+
+See details in :file:`INSTALL.rst`.
diff --git a/setup.cfg.template b/setup.cfg.template
@@ -3,11 +3,6 @@
 
 [egg_info]
 
-[directories]
-# Uncomment to override the default basedir in setupext.py.
-# This can be a single directory or a comma-delimited list of directories.
-#basedirlist = /usr
-
 [test]
 # If you plan to develop Matplotlib and run or add to the test suite,
 # set this to True.  It will download and build a specific version of