[Tex/LaTex] Best option to create vector graphics with LaTeX labels

diagramsgraphicspstrickstikz-pgf

I would like to create some vector graphics for my LaTeX documents. The graphics would often contain mathematical expressions that would should be typeset using LaTeX. As far as I know, my best options are:

  • Using Tikz or similar packages
  • Use Inkscape in combination with plugins that allow to render latex formulas.

The problems with these two options are that TikZ is quite complicated to use with complicated diagrams and that Inkscape is difficult to use on non-Linux operating systems.

Could you please tell me if there are other options on Mac OS X?

Best Answer

I recommend tikz. The advantage of tikz over graphical methods are analogous to the reasons to use LaTeX in other situations:

  1. To write documents, many people in science use LaTeX instead of word-processing software. It has a steep learning curve, but saves time in the end and produces better-looking results.

  2. To create presentations, quite a number of people use beamer instead of powerpoint-like software. Probably a bit less than #1, but the story is the same: It has a steep learning curve, but saves time and produces better-looking results in the end.

  3. Some people use tikz (and pgfplots) to create their graphics. Probably a considerable lower number than in #1 and #2, but again, the reasoning is the same: It has a steep learning curve, but...

Does it start to sound familiar? I guess it should! For a long time, I used LaTeX only for #1. When I prepared my Master thesis presentation, I made the jump and decided to learn beamer, and then I used LaTeX for #1 and #2. Then, when I was writing my licentiate thesis (midterm PhD thesis in the Swedish academic system), I wasn't satisfied with the diagrams and plots, and decided to learn tikz and pgfplots. So then I used LaTeX for #1, #2 and #3.

That's my current situation. I don't know right now if I will make any further steps in the forseeable future. If any, it would be package writing, but so far the prospect of programming in TeX looks daunting to me. Quite possibly the reasoning will once again be the same: It has a steep learning curve, but...

Etc.

P.S. Of course, you can always use other programs to create graphics and then draw on top of your picture!

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