Software for creating graphs for presentations

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the search for software that can create visually appealing graphs suitable for presentations, particularly in PowerPoint. Participants explore various software options and share their experiences with different tools, focusing on the visual aspects of graph creation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses dissatisfaction with existing software (Excel, Origin, Matlab) for creating "slick" graphs, suggesting a need for software that emphasizes visual quality.
  • Another participant questions the definition of a "slick looking graph," arguing that overly elaborate graphics can detract from the presentation's effectiveness and advocating for minimalism in design.
  • A different viewpoint emphasizes the importance of tailoring presentations to the audience, suggesting that a professional appearance can engage disinterested viewers, while clarifying that "slick" does not imply excessive embellishments.
  • One participant recommends R for its versatility in graphing, mentioning the ability to create unique styles like xkcd graphs, while also noting the learning curve associated with it.
  • GNUplot is mentioned as another option, though concerns are raised about its complexity in customization.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on what constitutes an effective graph for presentations, with some advocating for minimalistic designs and others emphasizing the need for visual appeal tailored to the audience. No consensus is reached on the best software or approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the subjective nature of visual preferences and the varying needs based on audience engagement, indicating that the effectiveness of graph design may depend on context and presentation goals.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals seeking software recommendations for graph creation, particularly in academic or professional presentation settings, as well as those interested in the balance between visual appeal and clarity in data representation.

f95toli
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I was wondering if anyone has a suggestion for software that can be used to create good looking graphs for e.g Powerpoint presentations?
| have access to a range of packages (Excel, Origin, Matlab) but none of them can create really "slick" locking graphs (but they are fine for figures in papers etc). I usually end up having to use non-standard parameters in Matlab (and occasionally Scipy) to get really good looking figures.
I've have on occasion combined e.g. Matlab with e.g. GIMP to create figures. but surely there must be an easier way?

Is there a software packages that focuses on the "visual" aspects of creating graphs?
 
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What's a slick looking graph?

Overly slick graphics will make your presentation a good candidate for addition to the world's worst PowerPoint presentations.

The same attributes that make for a good publication quality graph apply to presentations. Keep it minimalistic. Everything that does not add meaning is dross. Get rid of that dross. Stop deleting only when your deletions start removing meaning.

Powerpoint oftentimes brings out the worst in us. Fight that urge.
 
I think it depends on the audience:wink:

I frequently have to present my work for various commitees and working groups (who to a large extent control my funding). These are mainly made up of people who know nothing about my work, are not really interested in what I do and by the time it is my turn to present they might have had to listen to 15 other presentations that that they were equally disinterested in.

Hence, while I agree that one should avoid overly "creative" presentations it is neverthless important to present ones work in a way that looks as interesting and -for lack of a better word- professional as possible.

Moreover, by "slick" I do not neccesarily mean 3D effects etc. I am more concerned about proper scaling of fonts and lines, good handling of backgrounds and colours (to make the graphs fit in with the our corporate template) etc.
 
I used R to graph some stuff once. I found it very nice to use and very versatile.
Here is an example to make xkcd style graphs http://evaleverything.com/2013/11/12/xkcd-style-graphs-with-r/
I found that with a google search. It's definitely different from standard graphs.

GNUplot is another option however I think it's rather hard to fully customize your graphs with GNUplot.

These are just 2 options of the top of my head they have a learning curve though.
 
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