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Importing, exporting, screendumps and L^ATEX

Importing -

Various types of files (in particular postscript) can be imported using the Picture Object button. Note that you cannot edit the imported picture. You can however draw over it if you put the picture in a lower layer. If you want to edit a postscript picture you can try converting it to the FIG format using the pstoedit program.

Exporting -

In the File menu the Export item lets you produce output in many formats. You'll probably only ever use a few. Encapsulated postscript (eps) is needed if you want to put the diagram into a L^ATEX document. See the LaTeX Maths and Graphics document for details.

Note that if you export as EPS and try to print out the file, you're likely to get an empty page. Postscript (ps) files will print out, but you may as well use the Print shortcut instead and not produce a file at all.

PNG files are useful for WWW documents.

Cut and Paste -

You can copy objects from one drawing into another. If in one xfig you copy an object using the right button, then in another xfig you can paste the object in using the Paste button along the top. To paste text from another application, use the Edit menu's Paste Text option.

Screendumps -

The Picture Object dialog box has a Screen Capture option that lets you capture a window or an arbitrary rectangle.

Clip art -

Many engineering-related pictures are available in xfig's library - click on the bookshelf icon.

L^ATEX -

To add L^ATEX maths to a FIG drawing, use the psfrag package.

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© Cambridge University Engineering Dept
Information provided by Tim Love
2006-09-27