Using MetaPost graphics in ConTeXt

Using MetaPost graphics in ConTeXt

[Giuseppe Bilotta]

Hello,

I'm trying to use some MetaPost-generated graphics with ConTeXt,
but I seem to be unable to do so. I have a file test.1 in the same
directory as the ConTeXt source, which is as minimal as:

\starttext
\input tufte
\placefigure[left]
{Esempio di settore circolare}
{\externalfigure[test.1]}
\input knuth
\stoptext

but it seems like it can't find the file test (no extension); I
tried adding options [type=mps] or [method=mps] or both, but each
fails with a different error: either it looks for test.mps or it
looks for test.unknown ...

What should I do (apart renaming the figure file)?

-- 
Giuseppe "Oblomov" Bilotta

Re: Using MetaPost graphics in ConTeXt

[Johannes Hüsing]

Giuseppe Bilotta <gip.bilotta@iol.it> [Sun, Mar 23, 2003 at 10:38:37PM CET]:
> Hello,
> 
> I'm trying to use some MetaPost-generated graphics with ConTeXt,
> but I seem to be unable to do so. I have a file test.1 in the same
> directory as the ConTeXt source, which is as minimal as:
> 
> \starttext
> \input tufte
> \placefigure[left]
> {Esempio di settore circolare}
> {\externalfigure[test.1]}

\useexternalfigure[prova][test.1][width=450pt] % the last one is optional
\externalfigure[prova]

Greetings


Johannes
-- 
Johannes Hüsing   There is something fascinating about science. One gets
hannes@ruhrau.de  such wholesale returns of conjecture from such a 
                  trifling investment of fact.                Mark Twain

Re[2]: Using MetaPost graphics in ConTeXt

[Giuseppe Bilotta]

Monday, March 24, 2003 Johannes Hüsing wrote:
>> I'm trying to use some MetaPost-generated graphics with ConTeXt,
>> but I seem to be unable to do so. I have a file test.1 in the same
>> directory as the ConTeXt source, which is as minimal as:
>> 
>> \starttext
>> \input tufte
>> \placefigure[left]
>> {Esempio di settore circolare}
>> {\externalfigure[test.1]}

JH> \useexternalfigure[prova][test.1][width=450pt] % the last one is optional
JH> \externalfigure[prova]

Doesn't work either. Fails with the same errors. Again, it works
correctly by changing the extension.

A possible reason for the error is that the name of the tex file
is the same as the name of the figure file (test), because ConTeXt
*does* check for this, and this is where it chooses not to handle
the picture. Given that the same file works if the extension is
mps, I can't understand why it refuses to do the job when the
extension is different, and still different from .tex and .pdf
(and therefore there is no chance of contrast).

-- 
Giuseppe "Oblomov" Bilotta

Re[2]: Using MetaPost graphics in ConTeXt

[Hans Hagen]

At 11:27 AM 3/24/2003 +0100, Giuseppe Bilotta wrote:
>Monday, March 24, 2003 Johannes Hüsing wrote:
> >> I'm trying to use some MetaPost-generated graphics with ConTeXt,
> >> but I seem to be unable to do so. I have a file test.1 in the same
> >> directory as the ConTeXt source, which is as minimal as:
> >>
> >> \starttext
> >> \input tufte
> >> \placefigure[left]
> >> {Esempio di settore circolare}
> >> {\externalfigure[test.1]}
>
>JH> \useexternalfigure[prova][test.1][width=450pt] % the last one is optional
>JH> \externalfigure[prova]
>
>Doesn't work either. Fails with the same errors. Again, it works
>correctly by changing the extension.
>
>A possible reason for the error is that the name of the tex file
>is the same as the name of the figure file (test), because ConTeXt
>*does* check for this, and this is where it chooses not to handle
>the picture. Given that the same file works if the extension is
>mps, I can't understand why it refuses to do the job when the
>extension is different, and still different from .tex and .pdf

or xml or the yet to be invented superior coding standard 'number one' with 
suffix 1



Hans

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Re: Re[2]: Using MetaPost graphics in ConTeXt

[Guy Worthington]

> I'm trying to use some MetaPost-generated graphics with ConTeXt,
> but I seem to be unable to do so.

> A possible reason for the error is that the name of the tex file
> is the same as the name of the figure file (test), because ConTeXt
> *does* check for this, and this is where it chooses not to handle
> the picture.

I can't you whether you supposition is right because if Hans Hagen
goes out of his way to avoid name collisions with graphics then it's
good enough for me.

Here's an example from the metafun manual, that works with
\externalfigure (it also avoids name collisions).

-----

%output=pdf
\setupcolors [state=start]

\startMPcode
boolean show_labels ; show_labels := true;

def draw_problem (expr n, p, q, r, s) = % number & 4 postitions
  beginfig(n) ;

    save x,y ;

    z[1][1] = p ; z[2][1] = q ; z[3][1] = r ; z[4][1] = s ;

    for i = 1 upto 4 :
      z[i][1] = (x[i][1],y[i][1]) = z[if i=1: 4 else: i-1 fi][2] ;
      z[i][2] = (x[i][2],y[i][2]) ;
      z[i][3] = (x[i][2]-y[i][2]+y[i][1], y[i][2]+x[i][2]-x[i][1]) ;
      z[i][4] = (x[i][1]-y[i][2]+y[i][1], y[i][1]+x[i][2]-x[i][1]) ;
      z[i] = 0.5[z[i][1], z[i][3]] ;
    endfor ;

    z[0] = whatever[z[1], z[3]] = whatever[z[2], z[4]] ;

    pickup pencircle scaled .5pt ;

    for i = 1 upto 4 :
      draw z[i][1]--z[i][2]--z[i][3]--z[i][4]--cycle ;
      draw z[i][1]--z[i][3] ; draw z[i][2]--z[i][4] ;
      if i < 3 : draw z[i]--z[i+2] dashed evenly fi ;
    endfor ;

    draw ((1,0)--(1,1)--(0,1))
    zscaled (unitvector(z[1]-z[0])*10pt) shifted z[0] ;

    mark_rt_angle (z[1], z[0], z[2]) ; % z2 is not used at all


    if show_labels:
       pickup pencircle scaled 5pt ;

       dotlabel.llft(btex $Z_{11}$ etex, z[1][1]) ;
       dotlabel.ulft(btex $Z_{12}$ etex, z[1][2]) ;
       dotlabel.ulft(btex $Z_{13}$ etex, z[1][3]) ;
       dotlabel.llft(btex $Z_{14}$ etex, z[1][4]) ;

       dotlabel.lft (btex $Z_{21}$ etex, z[2][1]) ;
       dotlabel.llft(btex $Z_{22}$ etex, z[2][2]) ;
       dotlabel.urt (btex $Z_{23}$ etex, z[2][3]) ;
       dotlabel.llft(btex $Z_{24}$ etex, z[2][4]) ;

       dotlabel.urt (btex $Z_{31}$ etex, z[3][1]) ;
       dotlabel.ulft(btex $Z_{32}$ etex, z[3][2]) ;
       dotlabel.urt (btex $Z_{33}$ etex, z[3][3]) ;
       dotlabel.urt (btex $Z_{34}$ etex, z[3][4]) ;

       dotlabel.lft (btex $Z_{41}$ etex, z[4][1]) ;
       dotlabel.urt (btex $Z_{42}$ etex, z[4][2]) ;
       dotlabel.llft(btex $Z_{43}$ etex, z[4][3]) ;
       dotlabel.lrt (btex $Z_{44}$ etex, z[4][4]) ;

       dotlabel.urt (btex $Z_{0}$ etex, z[0]) ;
       dotlabel.lft (btex $Z_{1}$ etex, z[1]) ;
       dotlabel.top (btex $Z_{2}$ etex, z[2]) ;
       dotlabel.rt  (btex $Z_{3}$ etex, z[3]) ;
       dotlabel.bot (btex $Z_{4}$ etex, z[4]) ;

    fi ;

  endfig ;
  
enddef ;

angle_radius = 10pt ;

def mark_rt_angle (expr a, b, c) =
  draw ((1,0)--(1,1)--(0,1))
      zscaled (angle_radius*unitvector(a-b))
      shifted b
enddef ;

def do_draw_problem (expr n, i, j) =
  draw_problem (n,
    (400pt, 400pt), (400pt, 600pt),
  i[(400pt,600pt),(550pt,600pt)],
  j[(400pt,400pt),(550pt,400pt)] ) ;
enddef ;

do_draw_problem (50, 0.6, 1.0) ;

\stopMPcode

\starttext

\externalfigure[example22-mpgraph.50]

\stoptext

%%% Local Variables:
%%% mode:context
%%% End:

-----

Re[3]: Using MetaPost graphics in ConTeXt

[Giuseppe Bilotta]

Monday, March 24, 2003 Hans Hagen wrote:
>>Doesn't work either. Fails with the same errors. Again, it works
>>correctly by changing the extension.
>>
>>A possible reason for the error is that the name of the tex file
>>is the same as the name of the figure file (test), because ConTeXt
>>*does* check for this, and this is where it chooses not to handle
>>the picture. Given that the same file works if the extension is
>>mps, I can't understand why it refuses to do the job when the
>>extension is different, and still different from .tex and .pdf

HH> or xml or the yet to be invented superior coding standard 'number one' with
HH> suffix 1

Ok, but in the mean time how is one supposed to include MetaPost
output without having to rename the files?

-- 
Giuseppe "Oblomov" Bilotta

Re: Using MetaPost graphics in ConTeXt

[Simon Pepping]

On Sun, Mar 23, 2003 at 10:38:37PM +0100, Giuseppe Bilotta wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> I'm trying to use some MetaPost-generated graphics with ConTeXt,
> but I seem to be unable to do so. I have a file test.1 in the same
> directory as the ConTeXt source, which is as minimal as:
> 
> \starttext
> \input tufte
> \placefigure[left]
> {Esempio di settore circolare}
> {\externalfigure[test.1]}
> \input knuth
> \stoptext
> 
> but it seems like it can't find the file test (no extension); I
> tried adding options [type=mps] or [method=mps] or both, but each
> fails with a different error: either it looks for test.mps or it
> looks for test.unknown ...

The macro \calculateexternalfigure seems to set the extension to empty
if the figure file name is the same as the jobname:

   % redo message, only filename  
   \doifparentfileelse\@@effilename
     {\@EA\removefromcommalist\@EA{\jobsuffix}\figuretypes
      \let\@@efextension\empty
      \showmessage\m!figures9\@@effilename
      \donefalse}
     \donothing 

(core-fig.tex)

Therefore it does not search for your nonstandard extension.

Regards, Simon

-- 
Simon Pepping
email: spepping@scaprea.hobby.nl

Re[2]: Using MetaPost graphics in ConTeXt

[Giuseppe Bilotta]

Monday, March 24, 2003 Simon Pepping wrote:
>> but it seems like it can't find the file test (no extension); I
>> tried adding options [type=mps] or [method=mps] or both, but each
>> fails with a different error: either it looks for test.mps or it
>> looks for test.unknown ...

SP> The macro \calculateexternalfigure seems to set the extension to empty
SP> if the figure file name is the same as the jobname:

SP>    % redo message, only filename  
SP>    \doifparentfileelse\@@effilename
SP>      {\@EA\removefromcommalist\@EA{\jobsuffix}\figuretypes
SP>       \let\@@efextension\empty
SP>       \showmessage\m!figures9\@@effilename
SP>       \donefalse}
SP>      \donothing 

SP> (core-fig.tex)

SP> Therefore it does not search for your nonstandard extension.

Yup, after a little debugging I came to the same conclusion, but I
still it's incorrect behaviour. It's correct that it removes the
jobsuffix from the figuretypes to be searched, but it should still
try and look for the figure, after the change.

-- 
Giuseppe "Oblomov" Bilotta

Re: Re[3]: Using MetaPost graphics in ConTeXt

[Gary Pajer]

> Monday, March 24, 2003 Hans Hagen wrote:
> >>Doesn't work either. Fails with the same errors. Again, it works
> >>correctly by changing the extension.
> >>
> >>A possible reason for the error is that the name of the tex file
> >>is the same as the name of the figure file (test), because ConTeXt
> >>*does* check for this, and this is where it chooses not to handle
> >>the picture. Given that the same file works if the extension is
> >>mps, I can't understand why it refuses to do the job when the
> >>extension is different, and still different from .tex and .pdf
>
> HH> or xml or the yet to be invented superior coding standard 'number one'
with
> HH> suffix 1
>
> Ok, but in the mean time how is one supposed to include MetaPost
> output without having to rename the files?

I've tried to resist, but I have to ask.  Why not write a simple batch file
that runs MetaPost *and* changes the extension?  That's what I do. ... Are
you processing several MP scripts in one file ??

-Gary

Re[5]: Using MetaPost graphics in ConTeXt

[Giuseppe Bilotta]

Tuesday, March 25, 2003 Gary Pajer wrote:

>> Ok, but in the mean time how is one supposed to include MetaPost
>> output without having to rename the files?

GP> I've tried to resist, but I have to ask.  Why not write a simple batch file
GP> that runs MetaPost *and* changes the extension?  That's what I do. ... Are
GP> you processing several MP scripts in one file ??

Oh, I can do many things. And I don't even *need* it --it's just
for testing purpouses, not for production stuff-- but why use a
workaround when the problem can be fixed?

-- 
Giuseppe "Oblomov" Bilotta

Re[5]: Using MetaPost graphics in ConTeXt

[Giuseppe Bilotta]

Tuesday, March 25, 2003 Hans Hagen wrote:

HH> At 10:07 PM 3/24/2003 -0500, Gary Pajer wrote:

>>I've tried to resist, but I have to ask.  Why not write a simple batch file
>>that runs MetaPost *and* changes the extension?  That's what I do. ... Are
>>you processing several MP scripts in one file ??


HH> Remembering that i did look into it long ago, i took a look in the core-fig
HH> file; now, if you really want this kind of support, open core-fig.tex and
HH> search for:

HH>    % new, test first

HH> uncomment the doifnumberelse lines and you'll have the support needed (a
HH> new format needs to be generated)

I had thought of doing that (I had spotted the lines while trying
to debug the problem), but what I think is important is that
graphics inclusion should be, within limits, independent from
extension. For example, while .<num> are usually MP output, I
could have other formats (embeddable by PDF) using those
extensions. As long as I can specify [type=...] or [method=...],
the extension should be left whatever it is.

The problem arises because when the name of the included graphic
is the same as the \jobname, extension is discarded. To be
precise, two things are done: some extensions are discarded from
the extensions searched, and then the extension of the file is
wiped. While the first action is very wise (prevents output/input
clash, so indeed tex, xml, pdf and dvi should be not searched in
such a case), the second is not a good idea: after the suppression
of the extensions, the inclusion should continue normally: we're
safe from clash because the "wrong" extensions will not be
searched.

Can *this* be fixed?

-- 
Giuseppe "Oblomov" Bilotta