Best Software for Drawing Graphics on a Computer for LaTeX Documents?

[Ahmes]

(I doubt it's the ideal forum for this question, but I found no better. Mentors, feel free to move it if you think it will get better answers somewhere else)
Hi,
I use a computer to submit Math and Physics homework and work with a LaTeX editor called LyX. The problem is that I don't have a very good method of drawing graphics (ie. schematic things like a function plot or a mechanical system).

Do any of you happen to know a good software for drawing such things and combining them in a LaTeX file?
If possible, work with UNIX and draw graphs as vectors (output as svg, eps, etc.)

Thanks in advance.

 

[robphy]

Google:
xfig
gnuplot
jpicedt
Maple (not free)

 

[benorin]

Also, check-out this free on-line 3-dimensional plotting utility, the Jeks Display. Also, there is an excellent (in quality of that produced) plotting library for LaTeX, it comes in two flavors, http://freshmeat.net/search/?q=epix&section=projects (a python wrapper for epix) both are operating system independent and free (GNU licensed). Very high quality plots.

 

[maverick6664]

I use scilab and octave on Linux. They are not only graphics plotting software, but calculation software similar to MATLAB. And they can be compiled with Intel compilers for faster speed.

 

[benorin]

http://www.math.ubc.ca/people/faculty/cass/graphics/text/www/index.html , by Bill Casselman, shows, at several levels of sophistication, how to use PostScript for producing mathematical graphics.

 

[Ahmes]

Thanks everyone.
I actually meant software more like xfig, that you can draw with the mouse, and not produce exact plots (for that I mostly use Mathematica).
I think xfig will do, but if you know better, please say.

 

[durt]

Check out Dia for graphics (and TeXMacs if you'd like a wysiwyg LateX editor).