List of all modules in ConTeXt

Question

Is there a comprehensive updated list of modules currently maintained? The ConTeXt wiki page for modules provides some but I am not sure if it is updated and which ones would be obsolete. It would be nice if the ConTeXt users here at TeX.SX can highlight the modules they use the most and provide some description of there usage.

Answer 1

Filter Module

Available on contextgarden, CTAN, or github.

Documentation

github

Short description

This module allows you to filter the content of an environment through an external program. I routinely use this to create graphs in documents, where the graphs are generated from a scientific computing software (Matlab, Mathematica, or Python).

The module takes care of all the book-keeping of creating temporary files and caching the results (so that subsequent runs are fast).

Example

The example from a presentation shows graphs generated by Mathematica code written as part of a ConTeXt document. The Mathematica code is also included in the PDF file as an attachment.

Answer 2

Visualcounter module

Available on contextgarden or github.

Documentation

github

Short description

This module gives a visual representation of any ConTeXt counter. It comes with a few predefined styles, and provides an interface to easily add new styles. See the documentation for details. I use this to show page numbers and lecture numbers in slides and to add a bit of a glitter to otherwise dull presentation.

Example

The example below from a presentation shows the visual counter module in action. The page number (2 out of 7) is displayed on the lower right and the lecture number (4 out of 5) is to its left.

Answer 3

Vim module

Available on contextgarden, CTAN, and github.

Documentation

github

Short description

The example below from a presentation shows syntax highlighted Java code.

This module uses a vimL script to provide syntax highlighting for the 500+ programming languages that the Vim editor supports. The module uses the filter module in the background. I routinely use it to include syntax highlighted code snippets in my documents.

Example

Answer 4

Overviewpage module

Available on github

Documentation

Blog post

Short description

This module provides an overview screen at the end of the presentation, showing the first page of each section. This may be used as a quick reference to jump to specific locations on the presentation while answering audience questions.

Example

The example below shows the overview page of one of my presentations.

Answer 5

MP sketch

This is not a formal module, but a metapost environment that I use, so I thought that I'd mention this as well.

Available on github.

Documentation

TeX.SX answer

Description

This module is inspired by the question to simulate hand drawn lines. I occasionally use this to give an informal looks to figures used in presentations.

Example

Here is one figure drawn using mp-sketch.

Sometimes, I also use a variation of this approach and draw the same line multiple times by randomizing the end points.

Answer 6

Visual module and MetaPost library dum

Part of ConTeXt code

Documentation

This Way Magazine

Short description

This module provides macros to fake text and images. This is useful when you are creating a new layout/style and want to check how it looks in different scenarios.

Example

\usemodule[visual]
\useMPlibrary[dum]

\setupindenting[medium,yes]
\setupwhitespace[medium]

\startsetups head
  \definecolor[fakerulecolor]     [darkred]
\stopsetups

\setuphead[subject]
          [alternative=middle, style=\tfc, color=red, before={\bgroup \setups{head}}, after=\egroup\blank]

\setupcaption[style={\switchtobodyfont[8pt]}]

\starttext

\subject{\fakewords{3}{5}}

\startplacefigure[location={right}, title={\fakewords{8}{20}}]
  \externalfigure[dummy][height=3cm, width=5cm]
\stopplacefigure

\fakewords{20}{30} 

\startformula
  \fakeformula
\stopformula

\fakewords{50}{100} 

\stoptext

which gives