On Jan 5, 10:57 am, Sandro Tosi <matrixh...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hello and Happy 2009! > > I received the interesting proposal to author a book on Matplotlib, > the powerful 2D plotting library for Python. > > While preparing the arguments list, I'd like to hear even your > opinion, because different points-of-view will lead to a better > product. > > Some basic question I'd like to ask are: > > - what are you using matplotlib for? > - what are the things you like the most of matplotlib, that you want > to give emphasis to? And why? > - what are the (basic) things that, when you were beginning to use > matplotlib, you wanted to see grouped up but couldn't find? > - what would you like to see in a book about matplotlib? > - what are some those advanced feature that made you yell "WOW!!" ? > - what are the things you'd like to explore of matplotlib and never > had time to do? > > Your suggestions are really appreciated :) And wish me good luck!
Hello Sandro, I am happy to hear that there might be a book on Matplotlib. I am using Matplotlib for a while now and find it a very usefull and powerfull library for generating graphs. I will try to answer some of your questions. I am by no means an expert in the field, so I only express my personal experience. >> What are you using matplotlib for? I currently use Matplotlib to generate a >> series of graphs that visualise data channels (strain measurements) during a >> structural test. These graphs need to be refreshed about every 4 seconds. >> Each of the graphs contains 1 to 6 curves. >> What are the things you like the most of matplotlib, that you want to give emphasis to? And why? In general I like the most the fact that I can generate high quality publication ready graphs with a consistent look with minimal effort. Further, although the matlab-style commands are very usefull I think the class interface is more powerfull. The class interface also has a steeper learning curve. So, for me it would be very interesting if much emphasis will be on the class interface. >> What are the (basic) things that, when you were beginning to use matplotlib, you wanted to see grouped up but couldn't find? I seriously hope the book is not for "dummies", but provides at least a significant amount of information on more advanced features of Matplotlib. I think the currently available tutorials are sufficient to getting started. From my point of view I am very interested in: - Dynamically updating a series of graphs - Configuring layout of graphs (colors, labels, legends, etc.) - Managing dimensions of the figure when you export the figure to e.g PNG. For me this is interesting in the sense that if I insert a figure in a report/paper, I would like that the fonts used in the graph remain proportional to the surrounding text. If you need more information please let me know. I wish you good luck! Kind regards, Marco -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list