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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.
| • Plotting primitives | The basic drawing functions. | |
| • Plot limits | Setting plot limits, log scaling, etc. | |
| • Display list | The display list model. | |
| • Hardcopy | How to get it. | |
| • Graphics style | How to change it. | |
| • Query and edit | Seeing legends and making minor changes. | |
| • pldefault | Setting (non-default) defaults. | |
| • Custom plot functions | Combining the plotting primitives. | |
| • Animation | Spielberg look out. | |
| • 3D graphics | An experimental interface. |
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