Yorick: Graphics

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> # 3. Graphics Yorick's graphics functions produce most of the generic kinds of pictures you see in scientific publications. However, providing the perfect graphics interface for every user is not a realistic design goal. Instead, my aim has been to provide the simplest possible graphics model and the most basic plotting functions. If you want more, I expect you to build your own "perfect" interface from the parts I supply. My dream is to eventually supply several interfaces as interpreted code in the Yorick distribution. Currently, the best example of this strategy is the ``pl3d.i'` interface, which I describe at the end of this chapter. Not every new graphics interface needs to be a major production like ``pl3d.i'`, however. Modest little functions are arguably more useful; the plh function discussed below is an example. As you will see, the simplest possible graphics model is still very complicated. Unfortunately, I don't see any easy remedies, but I can promise that careful study pays off. I recommend the books "The Visual Display of Quantitative Information" and "Envisioning Information" by Edward Tufte for learning the fundamentals of scientific graphics.
> 3.1 Primitive plotting functions |  | The basic drawing functions.
> 3.2 Plot limits and relatives |  | Setting plot limits, log scaling, etc.
> 3.3 Managing a display list |  | The display list model.
> 3.4 Getting hardcopy |  | How to get it.
> 3.5 Graphics style |  | How to change it.
> 3.6 Queries, edits, and legends |  | Seeing legends and making minor changes.
> 3.7 Defaults for keywords |  | Setting (non-default) defaults.
> 3.8 Writing new plotting functions |  | Combining the plotting primitives.
> 3.9 Animation |  | Spielberg look out.
> 3.10 3D graphics interfaces |  | An experimental interface.