Details regarding TeX interpreter for different backends

Community matplotlib-users
1

Hi,

I’m about to implement a TeX interpreter for the graphical backend to GNU Octave (http://www.octave.org). The rendering is in OpenGL context.
As I understand it, matplotlib doesn’t use OpenGL at all?

Could you tell me about the design and work flow for the Tex/Latex interpreter and rendering system for TeX/Latex fonts?

Best regards,

Ole J. Hagen

2

Hi,

  I'm about to implement a TeX interpreter for the graphical backend

to GNU Octave (http://www.octave.org ). The
rendering is in OpenGL context.

  As I understand it, matplotlib doesn't use OpenGL at all?

Not at present -- though various people are working on it.

  Could you tell me about the design and work flow for the Tex/Latex

interpreter and rendering system for TeX/Latex fonts?

There are two.� One is a Python reimplementation of part of the TeX

math algorithms called “mathtext” (I am the original author).� It
uses Truetype versions of either the Computer Modern fonts or the
STIX fonts.� It is able to produce either raster images or data that
is then used by the matplotlib backends to generate PS, PDF, SVG
etc.

The other approach is used when "text.usetex" is True.� It calls out

to a real “tex” interpreter and then interprets the DVI it produces
to convert it into a form the matplotlib backends can use.� Since I
didn’t write this code, I’m not as familiar with the details.

In the case of OpenGL, since you only want images anyway, you may be

best off using a tool like dvipng along with the preview LaTeX
package, if having “real” LaTeX as a dependency is acceptable.

Mike
···

On 08/26/2011 02:32 AM, Ole Jacob Hagen wrote: