Thread-topic: [apple scitech] Re: Objective C Graphing Packages
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David,
I agree. I also have a program which needs a graphical output. Currently I
am using Aquaterm because the graphics in this package were originally
written for TEKTRONIX terminals. I want to add a native graphics library
but I have not found one that has all of the features that I like and that I
can distribute easily as part of a commercial package. Unless Apple offers
something soon I will probably need write the package myself. This is not a
good use of my time. I believe I filed an enhancement request concerning
this a few years ago. Still nothing.
Bruce Truax
On 11/12/07 3:15 PM, "David Hoerl" <email@hidden> wrote:
> This is a followup to a thread started earlier this year.
>
> I have had to add some graphs to an in-house app that I support. I am
> just so frustrated that Apple has not stepped up to the plate and
> provided the Cocoa community with something, after all the requests
> that have been voiced here and at WWDC, particularly since they have
> a package in house (GraphKit).
>
> [As an aside, I have entered a enhancement bug on this as well as
> voice it in the Scientific lunch at WWDC.]
>
> Now having the need, I re-read all the posts and have my own
> experiences to share, as well as some new info. My need is for
> something I can add into my app - a framework - that does not require
> me to install other software on the client machines (only a few
> clients, but no messing with their machines!)
>
> First, the package I finally chose is:
>
> SM2DGraph
>
> (http://developer.snowmintcs.com/frameworks/sm2dgraphview/index.html)
>
> I'm using the bar charts (now), and limiting the number of bars to a
> "reasonable" number for the size of the graph. My biggest complaint
> was the appearance of the bars - they look like bullets (ith rounded
> tops). I hacked the code to draw real bars, and also ended up turning
> the gradients off too (my preference was a solid color.] I also did
> some code commenting to allow live resize, which works just fine.
>
> I found the overall design of the API to be quite professional, and
> its worked flawlessly for me.
>
> Narrative
>
> I never tried Narrative, as it appeared to not have been changed
> (change == support in my mind), so I really cannot comment on it
> further.
>
> After the comments I had seen on the list before, I tried GraphX:
>
> http://blog.oofn.net/projects/graphx
>
> It has very pretty output, and this was my original choice. However,
> after I build it into my app, I found that it does not support any
> axis labels (the author thought about it but never implemented it).
> This was a real shame, but after toying with adding them on my own, I
> switched to SM2DGraph.
>
> Two other packages that I found (referenced on cocoa-dev) were
> Vvidget (www,vvi.com) and DataGraph.
>
> It took me a while to figure out the model for Vvidget (so call me
> slow), but apparently what you do is get a license for Vvidget, which
> then allows you to get their cocoa framework that you can then use
> (on the same machine with Vvidget) to draw and print graphs. Thus, to
> incorporate what they have, the client needs to have a valid license
> for Vvidget - which costs around $200 a seat. However, if this is
> what you want, their product appears very well done - the company has
> been around a long time and the product originally ran on Next. Note
> that these graphs are "publication quality".
>
> A second option is DataGraph:
>
> http://www.visualdatatools.com
>
> They have a similar model - you buy their $29 program (yes!), and
> then you can use their Cocoa graphics package. However, if you
> distribute your app, there is no way ship your app alone - the target
> machine needs to have a valid DataGraph license. A principal of this
> company posted here or on Cocoadev that such a license is in the
> works, but an email to him on the status elicited no response.
>
> There is a 3rd option in the wings, SIGL:
>
> http://www.softintegration.com/products/silib/graphlib/
>
> This C++ product has been around for a long time, and supports a wide
> range of graph types. But its been targetted at X11 / Terminal
> (termcap) type applications. Its a complex engine with a plain
> wrapper. I contacted one of the principals, and he is very interested
> in finding a cocoa programmer to partner with - to do the Mac quality
> front end. So, if anyone knows of an interested programmer they
> should contact Peter using peterw at softintegration dot com
>
>
> David
>
> PS: One of my clients has a Java programmer on staff, who does his
> work on the Mac using Java app because he can use an open source Java
> graphing package - a package that I, using Cocoa, cannot use. What a
> depressing state of affairs...
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--
____________________________________________________________
Bruce E. Truax email: email@hidden
Optical Engineering Consultant
Diffraction Limited Design LLC
388 Wedgewood Road voice: 860-276-0450
Southington, CT 06489 fax: 860-620-9026
http://www.dld-llc.com
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