Newsgroups: comp.sys.sgi
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!boulder!happy.colorado.edu!kmsahr
From: kmsahr@happy.colorado.edu
Subject: Searching for good vis. software
Message-ID: <1991Apr10.145812.1@happy.colorado.edu>
Lines: 33
Sender: news@colorado.edu (The Daily Planet)
Nntp-Posting-Host: happy
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Date: 10 Apr 91 14:58:12 MDT

     I'm new to the net so I'll bet this topic has been 
addressed before, but here goes... We just got an SGI 
4D/340VGX and we need a program for graphing and data 
visualization. Ideally, we'd like a program with these 
features:

     1. Ability to do a wide variety of plots, from simple 2D 
histograms up to large 3D contour and surface plots.

     2. Easy to use; our previous experience with plotting 
programs is on Macintoshes. Plotting programs there are very 
user-friendly but not very powerful...

     3. Able to run from the console, X-terminals, and 
Tektronix terminals.

     4. Able to create contour and surface plots from random 
data (i.e., data that doesn't lie on a regular X-Y grid).

     5. Allows us to freely add labels, text, etc. to the 
finished plot using Mac-like drawing tools.

     Any input on existing packages of a general nature 
(positive and/or negative) would also be much appreciated. 
Post or email is fine, if there are lots of email responses 
I'll compile and post.

Thanks in advance.

Kevin Sahr
Kaman Sciences Corp
sahr@uhclem.colorado.edu