Asymptote (vector graphics language)

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Asymptote is a powerful descriptive vector graphics language, developed by Andy Hammerlindl, John Bowman, and Tom Prince, that provides a natural coordinate-based framework for technical drawing. Labels and equations are typeset with LaTeX, for high-quality PostScript output. It is inspired by Metapost, but has a C++-like syntax. It provides a standard for typesetting mathematical figures.

Asymptote is free software, available under the terms of the GNU General Public License.

[edit] Features

• provides a portable standard for typesetting mathematical figures, just as TeX/LaTeX has become the standard for typesetting equations;
• inspired by MetaPost, with a much cleaner, powerful C++-like programming syntax and floating-point numerics;
• runs on all major platforms (UNIX, Mac OS, Microsoft Windows);
• is mathematically oriented (e.g. rotation of vectors by complex multiplication);
• LaTeX typesetting of labels (for document consistency);
• uses simplex method and deferred drawing to solve overall size constraint issues between fixed-sized objects (labels and arrowheads) and objects that should scale with figure size;
• fully generalizes MetaPost path construction algorithms to three dimensions;
• compiles commands into virtual machine code for speed without sacrificing portability;
• high-level graphics commands are implemented in the Asymptote language itself, allowing them to be easily tailored to specific applications;
• the power of a script-based language coupled to the convenience of a GUI;
• functions that can create new (anonymous) functions.

[edit] References

• Asymptote homepage

[edit] External links

• http://asymptote.sourceforge.net/
• http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Asymptote