Pasting mathematical formulas from Grapher to Pages

[Travis86]

I want to be able to create documents with mathematical formulas in them. If I bought Pages, could I create my formula in Grapher, then paste it into Pages? I don't want to paste in something that's like a bitmap, I want to be able to paste Latex or EPS.

If this won't work, feel free to make suggestions. From what I gather from the Internet, the math journals use Latex, which appears to be like hand-coding HTML. There is also another program that will make mathematical expressions, but it costs over $100 and is really only like a plug-in to some other word processor.

Thanks.

[mdnky]

I use MathType with Word X, Pages, TextEdit and InDesign without a problem...but yea, it's not cheap and it works alright (no "wow" like I'd expect for $100). They have a free plugin for it on the Win side that gives you latex instead of a graphic, maybe a Mac version will be made some day.

[MisterMe]

Originally Posted by Travis86

I want to be able to create documents with mathematical formulas in them. If I bought Pages, could I create my formula in Grapher, then paste it into Pages? I don't want to paste in something that's like a bitmap, I want to be able to paste Latex or EPS.

If this won't work, feel free to make suggestions. From what I gather from the Internet, the math journals use Latex, which appears to be like hand-coding HTML. There is also another program that will make mathematical expressions, but it costs over $100 and is really only like a plug-in to some other word processor.

Thanks.

First off, Grapher is a Windows app whose primary function is graphing and analysis of experimental data. Equation editing is very much the sideline here. Professional journals in mathematics and particle physics require that all papers be submitted in LaTeX format. This allows the organization to seamlessly flow each scientist's paper into the issue without having to worry about formatting issues. LaTeX provides a standard method for representing equations, but it also automatically handles the placement of all objects linked to each file such as pictures, tables, graphs, equations, etc. LaTeX is not intended for designing layouts visually and will frustrate you to no end if you try to use it that way. LaTeX is the antiPages. If you want to just insert equations into your documents, I recommend MathEQ (originally Expressionist), MathMagic Personal Edition, or MathType (Equation Editor's big brother). I have used MathEQ/Expressionist since 1989. It is the senior Mac equation editor and produces textbook-quality equations. Any of the three that I listed will export to standard graphics formats, but this is not required. Equations can be inserted into other documents while remaining completely editable.

[lurk]

Originally Posted by MisterMe

First off, Grapher is a Windows app whose primary function is graphing and analysis of experimental data. Equation editing is very much the sideline here.

MisterMe I think that the OP was talking about Grapher.app which is now part of the standard OS X install, you can find it in /Applications/Utillities.

As for equations in pages I use equation service from http://www.esm.psu.edu/mac-tex/EquationService/ which I quite like. It allows you to write the equation in LaTeX and then gives you a pdf to place in pages.

It is funny, but I find LaTeX and Pages to be very similar, but then that could be because I exclusively use styles in both. Semantic markup is the only way to fly.

[MisterMe]

Originally Posted by lurk

MisterMe I think that the OP was talking about Grapher.app which is now part of the standard OS X install, you can find it in /Applications/Utillities.

I stand corrected. This is one of the downsides of having multiple apps of the same name. However, Grapher.app's primary function is to graph functions. Its equation editor is designed the display graphs of explicit 2-D and 3-D algebraic and differential scalar and vector equations. It cannot do integrals, matrices, and other higher-level applied and symbolic mathematics. Contrary to the OP's concerns, Grapher equations do not look anything like bitmaps. Each character maintains its vector object nature. Aesthetically, however, Grapher equations fall below the quality of Equation Editor, way below my favorite visual equation editor and the LaTeX-based offerings.

Originally Posted by lurk

As for equations in pages I use equation service from http://www.esm.psu.edu/mac-tex/EquationService/ which I quite like. It allows you to write the equation in LaTeX and then gives you a pdf to place in pages.[/b]

Personally, I prefer to insert equations rather than pictures of equations into my documents. But, to each his or her own. If you like LaTeX-based services, you may also look at LaTeXiT for the same price.

Originally Posted by lurk

It is funny, but I find LaTeX and Pages to be very similar, but then that could be because I exclusively use styles in both. Semantic markup is the only way to fly.

I'll just let this one slide.

[lurk]

Originally Posted by MisterMe

I stand corrected. This is one of the downsides of having multiple apps of the same name. However, Grapher.app's primary function is to graph functions. Its equation editor is designed the display graphs of explicit 2-D and 3-D algebraic and differential scalar and vector equations. It cannot do integrals, matrices, and other higher-level applied and symbolic mathematics. Contrary to the OP's concerns, Grapher equations do not look anything like bitmaps. Each character maintains its vector object nature. Aesthetically, however, Grapher equations fall below the quality of Equation Editor, way below my favorite visual equation editor and the LaTeX-based offerings.

I never said it was a good choice, just that that is what the OP was most likely asking about. Sure there are other options but this is what was asked about.

Originally Posted by MisterMe

Personally, I prefer to insert equations rather than pictures of equations into my documents. But, to each his or her own. If you like LaTeX-based services, you may also look at LaTeXiT for the same price.

I would like to insert equations too, well really I most like to have a way to see the equations and then seamlessly drop into the LaTeX defining the equation. Kind of like how AucTeX works in its fancier incarnations. But we cannot always get what we want so we must make do.

Originally Posted by MisterMe

I'll just let this one slide.

Why so snarky about semantic markup? Please don't let it slide lets hear your point.

[Travis86]

Thanks for the advice. I hope I'm not interrupting by asking another question, but do you think I should learn LaTeX if I want to "do it right." If so, what is the best way to learn?