Two weeks ago I started looking for simple python chart library. There are interesting solutions based on cairo, GD and alike libraries. I was surprised there is no simple chart drawing library using "core" python installation environment. I found of course nice working PyCha using cairo, but there were problems on one testing servers with cairo library installation.
Portability is one of my priorities so I've been trying to find more flexible solution. So I've found SPING (Simple Platform INdependent Graphics former now as PIDDLE). It supports numerous backends like PDF, PIL, QuickDraw, PostScript, Illustrator, piddleVCR, OpenGL, Tk, wxWindows and support for others is in development. Looks promising. Ok so it gives me basic drawing capabilities. What about beatiful charts? After online research, I decided that something like PyCha would be enough. But PyCha uses cairo ... . Then idea has come- rewrite PyCha to use SPING. Idea is not so stupid- PyCha library is quite small and porting should be doable.
So I started rewriting PyCha fo SPING (codename SpingCha). The biggest part of work is porting calls typical for cairo interface to more generic SPING. I used Interface pattern with simple cairo like API. After two days I have almost working implementation, tested on original PyCha examples. By saying almost - I mean it needs better color, fonts and antialiasing handling to produce more beautiful charts.
After finishing and cleaning up code I'm planning to publish it under derived GNU Lesser General Public License. Maybe I will talk with author of PyCha to just include my ideas in main project. Meanwhile if you are interested to get SpingCha just add your comment, I will know if I need to speed up things, and release it.
UPDATE: About further story you can read new post
Portability is one of my priorities so I've been trying to find more flexible solution. So I've found SPING (Simple Platform INdependent Graphics former now as PIDDLE). It supports numerous backends like PDF, PIL, QuickDraw, PostScript, Illustrator, piddleVCR, OpenGL, Tk, wxWindows and support for others is in development. Looks promising. Ok so it gives me basic drawing capabilities. What about beatiful charts? After online research, I decided that something like PyCha would be enough. But PyCha uses cairo ... . Then idea has come- rewrite PyCha to use SPING. Idea is not so stupid- PyCha library is quite small and porting should be doable.
So I started rewriting PyCha fo SPING (codename SpingCha). The biggest part of work is porting calls typical for cairo interface to more generic SPING. I used Interface pattern with simple cairo like API. After two days I have almost working implementation, tested on original PyCha examples. By saying almost - I mean it needs better color, fonts and antialiasing handling to produce more beautiful charts.
After finishing and cleaning up code I'm planning to publish it under derived GNU Lesser General Public License. Maybe I will talk with author of PyCha to just include my ideas in main project. Meanwhile if you are interested to get SpingCha just add your comment, I will know if I need to speed up things, and release it.
UPDATE: About further story you can read new post
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3 comments:
Your program would be very interesting indeed. Tell me once your finished, a little tutorial would be nice :)
andreas.profous at gmail.com
Any news on this? Sounds pretty good :) Even if it's not finished I would like to have a look. If you don't mind of course.
UPDATE: About further story you can read new post
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