User-friendly Web Utilities for Generating L a T E X Output and Metapost Graphics

There are several facets of the creation of LTEX documents and METAPOST graphics that deter users from initially trying both LTEX and METAPOST. These include the basic structure of the source files, the compilation of the source files, and the conversion of the output to a desired format. Furthermore, many TEX users often desire to create 2D and 3D graphs of functions for inclusion into their documents. Many of these types of graphs require considerable amounts of source code to create professional quality graphics, and this is yet another deterrent for those who might otherwise consider using METAPOST. This article introduces several free web utilities that aim to eliminate each of these obstacles and describes the usage and methods of these utilities. 1 LTEX Previewer LTEX is a powerful typesetting system, but there are several reasons that discourage document preparers from using (in fact, even trying) LTEX. Probably the most common reason is the fact that LTEX is not a WYSIWYG word processor such as most document preparers are accustomed to using. As a result, these preparers might be interested in trying LTEX while at the same time they might also be overwhelmed by LTEX due to some of its characteristics. Several of these characteristics could include, for example, LTEX’s large installation size, relatively complex (source) document structure for beginners, compilation process, and lack of real-time previewing of LTEX output. Several years ago, the LTEX Previewer was created to address these issues and provide beginners with a user-friendly interface to LTEX that did not require users to download and install LTEX and did not require any knowledge of the LTEX document structure or compilation process. The LTEX Previewer can be (freely) used by visiting http://www.tlhiv.org/ltxpreview Figure 1 shows the initial display for the Previewer. Beginners simply type source code and preview the corresponding output by selecting the Preview button. If a user requires the inclusion of particular LTEX packages, then the Packages button can be used to accesses a user-friendly interface for adding and removing different packages. If the desired package is not listed, then the user is advised to send an email (and is provided a link) to request adFigure 1: LTEX Previewer Initial Display Figure 2: LTEX Previewer Example Run ditional packages. Figure 2 illustrates an example of how the source code is rendered. If the user makes a mistake in typing the LTEX source code and if a compilation error occurs, the user is informed of this error and is encouraged to view the compilation output log using the Log button. If compilation is successful, the (cropped) output can be downloaded in a variety of different formats including LTEX source, Encapsulated PostScript (EPS), Portable Document Format (PDF), Portable Network Graphics (PNG), Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG), and Adobe ShockWave Flash (SWF). There is also a PasteBin button for sharing the source code with others as well as a Popup button for opening a larger window to view the output. Finally, the user’s web browser is detected and it is automatically determined if proper SVG support is available, and if so, the default rendered output format is SVG. If the user’s browser does not have proper SVG support, then the failsafe PNG rendered output is used. Furthermore, the user can override the automatic output rendering format by manually selecting either the SVG or PNG radio button.