Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!mcsun!hp4nl!fwi.uva.nl!smagt
From: smagt@fwi.uva.nl (Patrick van der Smagt)
Newsgroups: comp.text.tex
Subject: Figures in (La)TeX (was: What is PiCTeX)
Message-ID: <1194@carol.fwi.uva.nl>
Date: 14 Aug 90 12:24:41 GMT
References: <3923@cica.cica.indiana.edu>
Sender: news@fwi.uva.nl
Reply-To: smagt@fwi.uva.nl (Patrick van der Smagt)
Organization: FWI, University of Amsterdam
Lines: 45

In article <3923@cica.cica.indiana.edu> templon@venus.iucf.indiana.edu writes:
>
>what IS PiCTeX?  Is this the
>same as {picture} mode in LaTeX?  I am quite interested in any other means
>of getting graphics into TeX (I use LaTeX) since {picture} mode routinely
>makes latex run out of space at our site (I get the picture-mode stuff
>from GNUPlot, it has a latex driver.)
>
>	So, what is PiCTeX?  Maybe you should rephrase that question in
>the frequ. asked list to "What is PiCTeX and where do I get the manual?"

I have just been writing a 60-page report with lots of figures, using LaTeX.
There are several methodes for figures in (La)TeX:

	1. LaTeX figure
	2. epic, eepic
	3. tpic
	4. PiCTeX
	5. postscript

1. Known by all, used by none.

2. An improved version of 1.  Set of macros.  It is really rather good,
   but causes TeX to run out of memory if you use too many or too complicated 
   figures.  Distribution includes manuals.

3. Not for free, need a DWB license from AT&T to get it.  I never used it.

4. Set of very powerful macros but even the smallest picture causes TeX
   to run out of memory.  Manual available from TUG for $30 ($35 including
   IBM PC floppy).

5. Unlimited power.  I used these to create my figures.  E.g., first draw
   your figures using xfig, then translate them with transfig (which is
   public domain).  Transfig creates *.ps and *.tex from *.fig.  The
   files *.tex can be included in your document, which causes *.ps to be
   included by dvips (or whatever).  Required: psfig macros, ftp'able.
      Be sure to use the latest xfig (v. 2.0) and transfig.  This
   version of transfig is not 100% perfect; in my opinion, it contains
   a bug when translating text in a figure.
      Transfig can be used to translate fig output to LaTeX, epic, eepic,
   pic, PiCTeX, or ps.


Patrick van der Smagt