Re: [9fans] pic generators?

["Skip Tavakkolian" <fst@centurytel.net>]

> I'm going to show my age here, but what are
> the standard set of programs used to generate,
> say, pic format images for insertion into
> papers?  I'm trying to create some figures
> for a document and I'm not quite certain
> where to look.

Pic is a powerful language, but it is easy to learn and use.  As
others have mentioned, it is always easier to do pic by hand.  These
guidelines help me:

* know what it is you want to draw.  Do it by hand first
so you have a pretty good idea how you want to lay it out.
* if there is a natural flow order, use it.
* define things in []; Label the objects (e.g. A: box).
* use relative coordinates (e.g.  .n, .e, .w, .s) and lengths (e.g.
1/2 of the way between) in reference to labeled objects;
it helps when you move things around.

There are lots of examples.   Richard Stevens did a tutorial paper that
you can find with google. Also I think the macros from one of his
books (I think UNIX Network Programming) could be found.