Writing a math textbook, program to draw diagrams?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the tools and programs available for creating diagrams and illustrations for a math or physics textbook. Participants explore various software options suitable for custom illustrations beyond standard graphing tools, including both artistic and technical drawings.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about programs specifically designed for creating custom diagrams, such as a truck driving down a hill or a person throwing a baseball.
  • Another participant suggests using different applications based on the type of drawing, mentioning PROCREATE for artwork, Myscript Mathpad for equations, and Inkpad for vector drawings.
  • A participant mentions importing photos into drawing applications to create cartoon-like images or templates for custom drawings.
  • CorelDraw is proposed as a suitable tool for creating diagrams.
  • Inkscape is recommended as a free, open-source option for producing vector graphics, allowing for reuse and adaptation of drawings.
  • Adobe Illustrator is mentioned as a paid alternative for those willing to invest in software for diagram creation.
  • One participant highlights the ease of using Inkscape for diagram creation and its capability to export to .eps format for LaTeX documents.
  • Consideration is given to tools that export SVG (scalable vector graphics) for compatibility with web pages.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple software options and approaches, indicating a lack of consensus on a single best tool. Various preferences and use cases are discussed, suggesting that different tools may be suitable for different needs.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention specific applications and their functionalities, but there is no detailed exploration of limitations or dependencies on specific use cases. The discussion does not resolve which tool is definitively superior.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in writing math or physics textbooks, educators looking for diagramming tools, and those involved in creating educational materials may find this discussion relevant.

Fellowroot
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Hello, I am wanting to write a math/physics book or possibly a PDF online book and I'm wondering if anyone knows of any programs that exists for making pictures and drawing diagrams.

I not just looking for something to make x-y graphs or 3-D graphs, I'm looking for something that designed for custom problems like drawing a truck driving down a hill or a person throwing a baseball.

Do the people who make the texts books use programs to make drawing these things easier?

Or do they just use like photoshop or some vector based program and then import that image into the actual textbook.

Thanks.
 
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Depending on the type of drawing you might have to use different apps.

As an example, working on an ipad I would use PROCREATE to draw some fancy artwork, Myscript Mathpad to draw equations and expressions or inkpad to draw vector drawings. I also might import a photo and massage it into a cartoon or use it as a template to make my drawing.

Having the exported drawing, I'd import it into the Pages app to make my chapter.

For windows and others OSes there are similar programs with the most notable free one being Gimp.
 
Just to give everyone here a better idea of what I'm talking about. Here are some examples of the types of images and diagrams that I'd like to make. I'm wondering if there exists a specialized program that can make creating these diagrams easier.
physics_questions_1_zps85954953.png


Walker1195_zps51d13169.jpg


physics_questions_7_zpsb84d1f02.png
 
CorelDraw or any equivalent.
 
Inkscape
It's free, open source and produces vectorial graphics that you can reuse and or adapt without having to redraw from scratch. You can then build your own library of objects and getting more proficient the more you use it.

Here are a few more alternatives, rigged at physical diagrams.

If you have money, Adobe Illustrator.
 
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I always draw diagrams like that in inkscape. Very easy to use and exports beautifully to .eps format for putting into LaTeX generated postscript or pdf.
 
Tools which export SVG (scalable vector graphics) would be good to consider too as that will go well with web pages.
 

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