Plotter 0.2.1
Mathematical graph plotting application for X
by James Kermode
Plotter is a GTK+ mathematical graph plotting application. It is written entirely in Python, an object orientated interpreted programming language, using the PyGtk bindings and the ROX-Lib library.
Features of Plotter include:
- Plotting of Cartesian, Parametric and Polar equations.
- Unlimited number of plots in individual colours.
- Graph zooming and panning.
- Drag-and-drop loading and saving of sets of graphs.
- Extensible - new functions can be easily added by writing Python code.
The Plotter homepage can be found at:
http://www.kerm.freeserve.co.uk/plotter/
Send bug reports, feature requests etc to: jrk33@cam.ac.uk
Requirements and Getting Started
In order to run Plotter you need some additional software packages:
- Python 1.5.2 or later:
As Plotter is written in Python, you must first have Python installed. Source and binary versions for many systems are available from <www.python.org>. This version of Plotter requires Python 1.5.1 or later.
- PyGtk 0.6.3 or later and GTK+ 1.2.1 or later:
Plotter also requires PyGtk 0.6.3 or later. This is available from <ftp://ftp.daa.com.au/pub/james/python/>. PyGtk is set of Python bindings to the GTK+ widget library. This means that you also need GTK+ 1.2.1 or later installed (available from <www.gtk.org>).
- ROX-Lib 0.1.3 or later:
Plotter also uses the ROX-Lib library available from <http://rox.sourceforge.net/rox_lib.php3>.
Plotter has been designed to work well with the ROX-Filer filing manager. This is a simple and easy to use RISC-OS like graphical file manager for X11, and is also available from http://rox.sourceforge.net. ROX-Filer is not essential to use Plotter.
Once you have these packages, Plotter does not require any further installation. Simply extract the archive file and copy the Plotter application directory (for an explanation of application directories, see http://rox.sourceforge.net) somewhere suitable. If you are using ROX-Filer then simply click on Plotter's icon or drag a file onto it from within the filer to start Plotter. Otherwise, you should run the 'AppRun' inside the Plotter application directory to start Plotter.
Once you have Plotter running, the toolbar at the top provides basic functions (Save, Add Function, Remove Function, Zoom In, Zoom Out, Centre View and Help) and you can right-click on the window for a menu. I recommend that you read the Plotter documentation, especially the 'Getting Started' section - this is available by opening the 'index.html' file in the same directory as this README file.
Contributors
Author: James Kermode <jrk33@cam.ac.uk>
I have used the following packages whilst creating Plotter, and would like to thank their respective authors:
PyGtk - Python GTK+ bindings - James Henstridge <james@daa.com.au> ROX-Lib - Thomas Leonard <tal197@users.sourceforge.net>
Conditions
This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.
You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with this program; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place, Suite 330, Boston, MA 02111-1307 USA
Please report any bugs to me, <jrk33@cam.ac.uk>.