Publishers and editors utilize various software tools to create mathematical function graphs and format textbooks, often relying on their art departments for graphic design. Authors can submit their own figures if they meet quality standards; otherwise, the publisher's art department collaborates with them to produce the necessary visuals. In academic fields like theoretical high-energy nuclear physics, manuscripts are typically submitted as LaTeX files along with figures, which are then converted into a different format for publication. The choice of graphic tools depends on the type of graphics needed, such as sketches or plots, with a preference for vector-graphics formats for quality. Popular software mentioned includes Wolfram Alpha for plotting, as well as LaTeX-related tools and platforms like GeoGebra, Desmos, and Plotly for creating visual content. The discussion highlights a desire for more transparency from major publishers like McGraw Hill and Nelson regarding their textbook production processes.
