On Saturday 07 November 2009 10:36:15 Rich Shepard wrote: > On Sat, 7 Nov 2009, Paul A. Rubin wrote: > >> I have been searching a drawing tool that generate LaTeX code then > >> implemented (pasted) somewhere in LyX so I can get simple > >> pictures/diagrams. > > > > I'm currently looking at Jpgfdraw > > (http://theoval.cmp.uea.ac.uk/~nlct/jpgfdraw/) but have not had time to > > play with it yet. Since I use pgf/tikz drawings in beamer presentations, > > this one appeals to me a bit. > > There is an issue here worth pointing out (at least, I think it's worth > pointing out). Specifically, what sort of vector graphics do you need or > want to produce? > > Tools such as xfig, dia, and the rest are GUI and interactive so the > drawins are creates as we would do them with pencil on paper. For many > purposes this is a fine solution. > > However, some figures need to have lines that meet very precisely (no > overshoots or gaps between them) or be placed with high precision. While > this may well be possible and easy for those more skilled than I am, I > found my xfig and similar figures to look sloppy when enlarged. The > solution for this is to code the image as one would code LaTeX, and my > preferred tool is PSTricks. The full power of PostScript is available and > all sorts of complex graphics (including plots from data files) can be > generated. > > While I've drawn figures with PSTricks within LyX, I prefer to use a > text editor (emacs in my case) and manually compile them. I then > incorporate the resulting .pdf file within the LyX document. > > The precision, accuracy, and control is much higher with this approach > than it is with an interactive tool. It's not for everyone, but for folks > like me that prefer a CLI to a GUI and do much of our work in virtual > consoles, the results cannot be better.
Why no mention of Inkscape? SVG vector drawings with element dimensions accessible either by mouse or numerically. SteveT Steve Litt Recession Relief Package http://www.recession-relief.US Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/stevelitt
