MetaPost uses a language based on that of Metafont to produce precise technical illustrations. Its output is scalable PostScript or SVG, rather than the bitmaps Metafont creates.
59
votes
3answers
2k views
Fundamental differences : PSTricks, TikZ/PGF and others
OK, since this is a pretty vague and subjective question. I need to set up some borders around the discussion that I intend to benefit from. But before anything, I certainly do NOT want to excite the ...
68
votes
8answers
5k views
Simulating hand-drawn lines
I am working on a project that will have some vector graphics, perhaps using TikZ (or a similar tool). All of the graphics consists of lines, in shades of gray. However, the lines from TikZ appear too ...
58
votes
6answers
2k views
Curve through a sequence of points with Metapost and TikZ
This question led to a new package:
hobby
I found Metapost best for drawing complex smooth curves (i.e., Bezier, splines), since you do not have to directly specify Bezier control points. ...
20
votes
2answers
2k views
Create a symbol font from SVG symbols
Is it possible to create an own scalable font from a set of symbols (~700), all in SVG format. All of them are symbols (like Zapf Dingbats), so there would be no need for special settings like ...
31
votes
8answers
4k views
Is anybody using TeX for business reporting?
Would TeX (LaTeX, ConTeXt, etc) be a good solution for PDF business reports that require dynamically generated graphs and tables?
I need to create financial reports that must look top-notch in their ...
3
votes
2answers
201 views
Too many compiles when using latexmk with mpgraphics
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{mpgraphics}
\begin{document}
\begin{figure}
.
\label{fig:a}
\caption{a}
\end{figure}
\begin{mpinline}
draw (20,20)--(0,0)--(0,30)--(30,0)--(0,0)
\end{mpinline}
...
8
votes
1answer
1k views
pgf/tikz vs metapost
Can the experts here comment on the pros and cons of these two languages? I have been using metapost for a long time and I was wondering if I should learn pgf/tikz also.
How does both languages ...
6
votes
1answer
191 views
btex and etex in luamplib labels
I've been experimenting with METAPOST and in particular with luamplib. I found that I couldn't have tex typeset labels with the btex/etex construct as apparently is possible with straight up METAPOST. ...
24
votes
3answers
398 views
How do I make a superellipse node shape in tikz?
A superellipse is a kind of closed curve which can be used as a "intermediate" shape between ellipse and rectangle. A parameter can control its "roundness". I find it a pleasant alternative to the ...
16
votes
3answers
628 views
Why does anyone prefer Metapost?
TikZ (together with its PGF backend) is the most widely used picture drawing tool by regulars here, having more than 50x as many questions as for Metapost, alongside a wealth of documentation and user ...
11
votes
4answers
895 views
A good METAPOST alternative for plotting 3d surfaces
I find METAPOST to be a wonderful software to create 2d charts and figures.
Can you name me a few good alternatives to METAPOST for drawing 3d surfaces?
The crucial feature I'm looking for is the ...
8
votes
2answers
451 views
automatic resizing of edges with long labels
I would like to know if there is a way to automatically resize edges when they have long labels. For example, the following code
\documentclass[10pt]{article}
\usepackage{tikz}
...
4
votes
1answer
173 views
Non-intersecting lines on class diagram
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage[shellescape]{gmp}
\begin{document}
\begin{mpost}[use,mpsettings={input metauml;}]
Class.A("A")()();
Class.B("B")()();
Class.C("C")()();
Class.D("D")()();
B.n = ...
4
votes
2answers
886 views
metapost and pdflatex
I'm trying to use figures created with metapost in a TeX document compiled with pdflatex, but I have some troubles. I did as advised here, but it fails!
My code is this :
...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
metapost pictures in pdflatex
To include metapost pictures in a latex file compiled by pdflatex I usually do something like
\usepackage[pdftex]{graphicx}
...
\includegraphics{filename-without-mps}
but this requires all metapost ...
10
votes
1answer
822 views
Package for typesetting Feynman diagrams (efficiency of `feynmp` and `tikz`)
Is there any good package for typesetting lots of Feynman diagrams?
My question arise because Feynmp: Circle with three vertices lead me take a look at the documentation for the feynmf/feynmp ...
10
votes
1answer
807 views
Embedding MetaPost in LaTeX document
I have problem using the emp package in TeXlive 2010. When I try to use it with empcmds it prints contents to output. If I use emp it parser fails after first character.
Also - how should I import ...
2
votes
1answer
114 views
Metapost External Figure
I have a metapost file image.mp containing the following lines:
beginfig(0);
draw p0;
externalfigure "/Users/dsg/tex/images/image.png" xyscaled r0 shifted r1;
endfig;
When I run mptopdf scene.mp ...
