Asymptote (vector graphics language)

In this article, we will explore the impact of Asymptote (vector graphics language) on contemporary society. From its inception to the present, Asymptote (vector graphics language) has played a crucial role in various aspects of modern life. Through detailed analysis, we will examine how Asymptote (vector graphics language) has shaped our perceptions, transformed our interactions, and redefined our understanding of the world around us. Throughout these pages, we will discover the various facets of Asymptote (vector graphics language) and its influence in fields such as culture, technology, politics and economics. Additionally, we will investigate the possible future implications of Asymptote (vector graphics language) in a constantly evolving world.
Asymptote
The Asymptote logo (SVG file created with Asymptote)
Paradigmimperative, typesetting
Designed byAndy Hammerlindl, John C. Bowman, Tom Prince
First appeared2004 (2004)
Stable release
2.89 / 25 March 2024 (25 March 2024)
Typing disciplinestrong
Implementation languageC++
OSCross-platform
LicenseLGPL
Websiteasymptote.sourceforge.io
Influenced by
MetaPost

Asymptote is a descriptive vector graphics language – developed by Andy Hammerlindl, John C. Bowman (University of Alberta), and Tom Prince – which provides a natural coordinate-based framework for technical drawing. Asymptote runs on all major platforms (Unix, Mac OS, Microsoft Windows). It is free software, available under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL).

Syntax and notable features

Asymptote typesets labels and equations with LaTeX, producing high-quality PostScript, PDF, SVG, or 3D PRC output. It is inspired by MetaPost, but has a C-like syntax. It provides a language for typesetting mathematical figures, just as TeX/LaTeX provides a language for typesetting equations. It is mathematically oriented (e.g. rotation of vectors by complex multiplication), and uses the simplex method and deferred drawing to solve overall size constraint issues between fixed-sized objects (labels and arrowheads) and objects that should scale with figure size.

Asymptote fully generalizes MetaPost path construction algorithms to three dimensions, and compiles commands into virtual machine code for speed without sacrificing portability. High-level graphics commands are implemented in the Asymptote language itself, allowing them to be easily tailored to specific applications. It also appears to be the first software package to lift TeX into three dimensions. This allows Asymptote to be used as a 3D vector file format.

Asymptote is also notable for having a graphical interface coded in Python (and the Tk widget set), xasy.py – this allows an inexperienced user to quickly draw up objects and save them as .asy source code which can then be examined or edited by hand.

The program's syntax was originally described by using a Yacc compatible grammar.

Application examples

The following source code allows you to draw a graph of the Heaviside function by means of the Asymptote language. 

import graph;
import settings;
outformat="pdf";

size(300,300);

// Function.
real x1 = {-1.5,0};
real y1 = {0,0};
real x2 = {0,1.5};
real y2 = {1,1};
draw(graph(x1,y1),red+2);
draw(graph(x2,y2),red+2);

draw((0,0)--(0,1),red+1.5+linetype("4 4"));
fill( circle((0,1),0.035), red);
filldraw( circle((0,0),0.03), white, red+1.5);

// Axes.
xaxis( Label("$x$"), Ticks(new real{-1,-0.5,0.5,1}), Arrow);
yaxis( Label("$y$"), Ticks(new real{0.5,1}), Arrow, ymin=-0.18, ymax=1.25);
// Origin.
labelx("$O$",0,SW);

The code above yields the following pdf output.

Compiled output of Asymptote example code

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Asymptote program.

References

  1. ^ "Release 2.89". 25 March 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  2. ^ Asymptote: A vector graphics language, J. C. Bowman and A. Hammerlindl, TUGBOAT: The Communications of the TeX Users Group, 29:2, 288-294 (2008).
  3. ^ The 3D Asymptote Generalization of MetaPost Bézier Interpolation, J. C. Bowman, Proceedings in Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, 7:1, 2010021-2010022 (2007).
  4. ^ Asymptote: Lifting TeX to three dimensions, J. C. Bowman and Orest Shardt, TUGBOAT: The Communications of the TeX Users Group, 30:1, 58-63 (2009).
  5. ^ Surface Parametrization of Nonsimply Connected Planar Bézier Regions, O. Shardt and J. C. Bowman, Computer-Aided Design, 44:5 (2012).

External links

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia