# Plotting

Abstract

Every Simfit program generates default graphs (with automatically chosen labels and axes) which can be used directly for draft hardcopy. However, only limited editing is possible at this elementary graphics level so, for maximum versatility, it is best to select the [Advanced] option. This enables you to transfer the data directly into program Simplot, or else to save ASCII coordinate files for every component of interest. Subsequently these can be collected together as a library file or project archive, which program Simplot can then use to generate a composite graph with as many components as are required. There are two plotting options; [Win] for Windows users who do not have PostScript facilities, and [PS] for PostScript and Adobe Acrobat users. From either option you can print, save to file or select the font and line thickness required.

The [Win] option

This option should only be used if you do not have a PostScript printer, or you have decided not to configure Simfit to use GSview and Ghostscript. If you select the [Win] option, you can drive any printer directly, save graphics files (.emf), or copy to the clipboard in enhanced metafile format. You should never use the .bmp, .jpg, .tif or .pcx formats, as these are unsuitable for scientific graphs. The .emf files generated by Simfit are compact and of high resolution, and they can be imported into any Windows document preparation program. However, the best way for users to obtain high quality graphics is first to use the [PS] option to create encapsulated PostScript files (.eps), then create portable network graphics files (.png), or scalable vector graphics files (.svg) from them as required, e.g., to import into Windows applications such as MS Word and PowerPoint. The industry standard for compressed bitmap files is the .png format, and the W3C recommended XML based vector format is .svg, and these now can be imported into all Windows applications.

The [PS] option

This option should be selected either if you have a PostScript printer, intend to use Adobe Acrobat, or have configured Simfit to use GSview and Ghostscript. After selecting [PS] you can drive a PostScript printer directly, or create an encapsulated PostScript file (.eps). If required, you can subsequently transform such .eps files into .pdf, svg, or .png files. There is a also a powerful Simfit program called Editps that allows you to edit .eps files, or collect them together into collages.

The GSview/Ghostscript package

GSview is a front end to Ghostscript to help you display, transform, or print .eps or .pdf files using PostScript or non-PostScript devices. So, to get the maximum benefit from Simfit PostScript graphics, you must have this package installed and learn how to use it, since it will solve many of your graphics problems. It means you can do all your work with .eps graphics files that you can easily archive until you want the ultimate graphics quality (e.g., to import into documents or print). You can forget other formats like .pcx, .tif, .jpg, and especially .bmp, since you will be able to generate .png or .svg files from .eps files as required. Install GSview and Ghostscript by copying the self-extracting executables from the Simfit web site http://www.simfit.man.ac.uk.

The Adobe Acrobat Reader

Portable document format is a special type of PostScript that can be interpreted by Adobe Acrobat. This is useful for viewing and printing .pdf files that you generate from .eps files using Ghostscript, e.g. the Simfit manual, w_manual.pdf

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