Asymptote

Asymptote 是一种描述性矢量图形语言，由 Andy Hammerlindl, John C. Bowman (University of Alberta)，与 Tom Prince 开发。它提供了一种自然的基于坐标的工程绘图。Asymptot 适用于所有主流平台（UNIX、Mac OS，Microsoft Windows）。它是一款免费软件，以 GNU宽通用公共许可证发布。

语法和特点

Asymptote 用 LaTeX 输入标签和公式，输出高质量 PostScript、PDF、SVG或 3D PRC 文件^[1]。它受 Metapost 启发，但语法类似于 C++。它给出了一种输入数学图形的标准，就像 TeX/LaTeX 成为了输入公式的标准。它是数学导向的（例如向量的旋转是复数乘法），并利用单纯形方法和 deferred drawing 来解决固定大小对象（标签和箭头）和需随图形大小缩放对象的总体大小约束问题。Asymptote 将 Metapost 的路径构造算法完全扩展到三维^[2]，并把命令编译为真正的机器编码且不牺牲可移植性。Asymptote 本身实现了高级图形命令，允许它们为特定的用途定制。它还是第一个将 TeX 提升为三维的软件^[3]^[4]。

参考文献

^ Asymptote: A vector graphics language, J. C. Bowman and A. Hammerlindl, TUGBOAT: The Communications of the TeX Users Group, 29:2, 288-294 (2008). (PDF). [2010-12-12]. （原始内容存档 (PDF)于2011-07-17）.
^ The 3D Asymptote Generalization of MetaPost Bézier Interpolation, J. C. Bowman, Proceedings in Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, 7:1, 2010021-2010022 (2007) （页面存档备份，存于互联网档案馆）.
^ Asymptote: Lifting TeX to three dimensions, J. C. Bowman and Orest Shardt, TUGBOAT: The Communications of the TeX Users Group, 30:1, 58-63 (2009). (PDF). [2010-12-12]. （原始内容存档 (PDF)于2011-04-01）.
^ Surface Parametrization of Nonsimply Connected Planar Bézier Regions, O. Shardt and J. C. Bowman, submitted to Computer Aided Design (2010). (PDF). [2010-12-12]. （原始内容存档 (PDF)于2011-04-01）.

外部链接

[1] Asymptote: A vector graphics language, J. C. Bowman and A. Hammerlindl, TUGBOAT: The Communications of the TeX Users Group, 29:2, 288-294 (2008). (PDF). [2010-12-12]. （原始内容存档 (PDF)于2011-07-17）.

[2] The 3D Asymptote Generalization of MetaPost Bézier Interpolation, J. C. Bowman, Proceedings in Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, 7:1, 2010021-2010022 (2007) （页面存档备份，存于互联网档案馆）.

[3] Asymptote: Lifting TeX to three dimensions, J. C. Bowman and Orest Shardt, TUGBOAT: The Communications of the TeX Users Group, 30:1, 58-63 (2009). (PDF). [2010-12-12]. （原始内容存档 (PDF)于2011-04-01）.

[4] Surface Parametrization of Nonsimply Connected Planar Bézier Regions, O. Shardt and J. C. Bowman, submitted to Computer Aided Design (2010). (PDF). [2010-12-12]. （原始内容存档 (PDF)于2011-04-01）.

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