Last change: 30 October, 2005
Latest stable is 1.0.0, latest beta is 1.0.6 -- CHANGELOG, INSTALL, README
Image Gallery (png) and Animations (mng)
Overview (for new users)
Downloads
Source Packages
Pyepix, a Python implementation
RPM Package for Version 1.0.0
Tutorial/manual for Version 1.0.0
Mailing List Information
Sample Document for Version 1.0.0
Software Requirements
Installation
License
ePiX, a collection of batch-oriented utilities for *nix, creates mathematically accurate line figures, plots, and movies using easy-to-learn syntax. LaTeX and dvips comprise the typographical rendering engine, while ImageMagick is used to create bitmapped images and animations. The user interface resembles that of LaTeX itself: You prepare a short scene description in a text editor, then compile'' the input file into a picture. Default output formats are eepic (a plain text enhancement to the LaTeX picture environment), eps, pdf, png, and mng.
The source code is available with (complete, recommended) or without (src) the tutorial, and compressed with either gzip (.gz) or bzip2 (.bz2). All modern GNU/Linux distributions provide the utility bzip2.
Current versions of ePiX are
| md5 checksums | Gzip compressed packages | Bzip2 compressed packages |
| Stable, source only | epix-1.0.0_src.tar.gz, 138967 bytes | epix-1.0.0_src.tar.bz2, 117612 bytes |
| Stable, with manual | epix-1.0.0_complete.tar.gz, 211430 bytes | epix-1.0.0_complete.tar.bz2, 172151 bytes |
| Devel, with manual | epix-1.0.6_complete.tar.gz, 216689 bytes | epix-1.0.6_complete.tar.bz2, 178578 bytes |
Due to the nature of the program, there is no point in providing binary packages. If you don't have a C++ compiler, you can't run ePiX. However, if you are a Windows user or otherwise have difficulty installing or running GNU software, you may be interested in the Python implementation Pyepix written by Andrew Sterian. You must install Python Version 2.2 or later in order to use Pyepix.
For users of RPM 4.x, there is a source RPM (214365 bytes, tutorial included) for Version 1.0.0 that was kindly provided by Guido Gonzato, and built using this spec file.
Documentation is distributed with the "complete" packages. The tutorial for Version 1.0.0 is available separately:
The HTML contains transparent png files, which do not display well in many browsers. The other formats are camera quality.
There is an ezmlm/qmail-managed mailing list. Posts to the list must have a non-empty subject line.
To subscribe, do not send a message with subject line "subscribe" to the list, but instead click here or send an arbitrary (e.g., empty) message to ahwang-epix-subscribe@mathcs.holycross.edu. You should receive an automated reply shortly after sending your subscription request. Reply to that message to complete the three-way handshake. Unsubscribing is similar.
A sample document (distributed with the source code) is available as compressed PDF (gzip-ed, 247761 bytes) or uncompressed PDF (271784 bytes).
The following auxiliary programs are either essential or extremely desirable when using ePiX.
GNU software can be downloaded at no cost. If you are missing any components listed here, speak to your sysadmin, or start at the link above.
The INSTALL file contains instructions for downloading, unpacking, and installing. If you have installed ePiX in your HOME directory and do not know if ~/bin is in your PATH (or do not know what this phrase means:), please read the post-install instructions.
ePiX is Free Software, distributed under the GNU GPL. This license grants you four specific Freedoms:
Like all information (including software -- read your EULA carefully!), ePiX comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY, including (but not limited to) any warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
The author believes ePiX to be a useful program that produces mathematically accurate, camera-quality output. If you have questions, bugs to report, or requests for features, please subscribe to the mailing list or send email to the author.
ePiX is written and maintained by