I tried your suggestions...the first one (Qt4Agg) resulted in an error (below) so it looks like I am missing some packages and the second option (TkAgg) pretty much gave the same quality as the macosx backend.
thanks. File "/opt/local/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.7/lib/python2.7/site-packages/matplotlib/pyplot.py", line 95, in <module> new_figure_manager, draw_if_interactive, _show = pylab_setup() File "/opt/local/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.7/lib/python2.7/site-packages/matplotlib/backends/__init__.py", line 25, in pylab_setup globals(),locals(),[backend_name]) File "/opt/local/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.7/lib/python2.7/site-packages/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt4agg.py", line 12, in <module> from backend_qt4 import QtCore, QtGui, FigureManagerQT, FigureCanvasQT,\ File "/opt/local/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.7/lib/python2.7/site-packages/matplotlib/backends/backend_qt4.py", line 23, in <module> from qt4_compat import QtCore, QtGui, _getSaveFileName, __version__ File "/opt/local/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.7/lib/python2.7/site-packages/matplotlib/backends/qt4_compat.py", line 36, in <module> import sip ImportError: No module named sip -- View this message in context: http://matplotlib.1069221.n5.nabble.com/resolution-on-plotting-for-retina-displays-tp39068p39071.html Sent from the matplotlib - users mailing list archive at Nabble.com. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Live Security Virtual Conference Exclusive live event will cover all the ways today's security and threat landscape has changed and how IT managers can respond. Discussions will include endpoint security, mobile security and the latest in malware threats. http://www.accelacomm.com/jaw/sfrnl04242012/114/50122263/ _______________________________________________ Matplotlib-users mailing list Matplotlib-users@lists.sourceforge.net https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/matplotlib-users