Re: RFE for scigraphica

Parrenin Frederic wrote:
>>Xmgrace can do really nice stuff, but I share your view it's not easy
>>to use well.  Also look at dislin.
> 
> 
> I agree that xmgrace can do nice stuff, the final result is good, and it
> is why I use it. I have given a look at dislin, but it is only a set
> libraries, isn't it? No gui to create a graph, so for me it is not an
> option.

Right -- dislin is libraries, for perl, python, and others.   This, I agree,
is a big limitation for presentation graphics.


> On the other hand, there are irritating limitations in xmgrace:
> - the i/o of data is really rustic. No copy/paste from/to other
> applications. Importing data sets is a nightmare.

Agreed.  I write my own perl scripts to convert data for import.

> - you cannot insert images

Agreed -- I use xfig to add images (PITA).

> - you have to define the size of your graph before starting, and it is
> not easy to change after. And the zoom is linked to the size of the
> graph (it is going to change in the next version I think)

Agreed -- the coordinate system is fixed to (0,1) along the minimum axis,
which makes converting plots between landscape and portrait cumbersome.

(clipped)
> - you cannot easily select and move the objects in the sheet (title,
> axis title, text object, legend, ...)

I think this is changing with 5.2.

> - the UI is archaic, it really needs to be ported to GTK.
> - there are almost no 3D possibilities
> 

No undo!!!  This is it's biggest weakness, perhaps.


> These limitations are deep and it would require to rewrite a large part
> of the software. And the author does not seem to be open to deep
> changes, so for me it is a dead project in the long run.
> I put more hope in Scigraphica that is constructed on a robust basis,
> but the project will have to change its management and marketing
> aspects.
> 

Scigraphica, last time I used it (0.7x) crashed early and often.
0.8 I could never compile.  I'm waiting for the next full release....



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