Re: XYpic

[Vit Zyka <vit.zyka@seznam.cz>]

luigi.scarso wrote:
> Vit, many thanks for your answer.
> 
> Vit Zyka wrote:
> 
>> 1. For a moment I set
>>   shell_escape =            f
>> in `kpsewhich texmf.cnf'
>>
> ok, done
> 
>> 2. Input file f.tex:
>> \startuseMPgraphic{A}
>>   draw unitcircle scaled\overlaywidth;
>> \stopuseMPgraphic
>>
>> \defineoverlay
>>   [B]
>>   [\uniqueMPgraphic{A}]
>>
>> \starttext
>>   \framed[background=B]{Hallo frame!}
>> \stoptext
>>
>> 3a. classical run
>>   texexec --pdf f
>>
> No circle under frame,  right? If not, I have a bad installation; please 
> discard the rest
> (and some hints to repair will be really appreciate :)  ).

?? I obtained both a frame and a circle.

>> 3b. step by step
>>   texexec --pdf --nomp f
>>   mpost f-mpgraph
>>   texexec --pdf --nomp f
>>
> A circle appear under the frame. But I   have 3  runs ( texexec, mpost, 
> texexec).

Yes, the cases 3a = 3b should have at least 3 runs. With shell_escape=t 
only 2 are needed. You are right.

> With XYPic, a similar result can be achieved without mpost:
> %%
> %% WARNING:: deprecated example
> %% Don't use it !
> %%
> \input xy
> \xyoption{frame}
> \starttext
> \xy
> (0,0) *++=\hbox{\framed{Hallo frame}} *\frm{o} ;
> \endxy
> \stoptext
> 
> Of course this doesn't mean that XY is better/worse than mpost, nor that
> using mpost coupled with context will be always slow than others ways;
> but sometimes a faster alternative may be required.

All right, I agree for somebody and sometimes xypic might be use with 
advantage. I was thinkink about general recommendation.

> Sure for XYPic, name spaces collisions, cpu/memory required, syntax are 

+ limitation by substance: drawing is mostly done via fonts

> (some) items
> to consider: but it also comes with a bunch of features and may be 
> faster than mpost
> in some circumstances.
> 
> [OT] XFIG: fig2dev can be export to metapost and in multi-metapost.
> Hence, from the moon, I see that xfig can be used with context.

Export to context is good news. But still no parametrization possible :-(

vit