-*-text-*- $Id: TRAILER,v 2.11 1994/07/05 10:37:32 kris Exp $

=======================================================================
TRAILER: ANNOUNCING the XY-pic version 2.11 DIAGRAM TYPESETTING PACKAGE
=======================================================================

XY-pic is a package for typesetting a variety of graphs and diagrams
within TeX that works with most formats (including LaTeX 2.09, LaTeX2e,
AMS-LaTeX, AMS-TeX, and plain TeX).  In particular XY-pic is provided
as a LaTeX2e `package'.

NOTE: version 2.11 is a (second) final BETA CONFIDENCE TEST release of
XY-pic 3 in the sense that it is likely to contain minor bugs in both
documentation and code but should be stable.  If you are a user of an
earlier version of XY-pic then PLEASE TEST this release with your
existing diagrams and REPORT PROBLEMS you encounter to the authors!

The intention remains to maintain full backwards compatibility with
XY-pic 2 but we need feed-back from users in order to achieve this
goal (see `The future and backwards compatibility' in the User's Guide
for the unavoidable exceptions).

Version 2.11 is the final result of the effort this springs to outline
XY-pic 3 in collaboration with Ross Moore while visiting Macquarie U,
Sydney: The package has been restructured and extended into a kernel
and several orthogonal modules and is now ready for the implementation
of several independent `specialist' modes for convenient typesetting
of Graphs and Trees, 2-cells, String and braid diagrams, etc. (some
are already under construction).

Below I discuss the main features of XY-pic and how it is available.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
VERSION 2.11 FEATURES
----------------------------------------------------------------------

XY-pic version 2.11 provides three modes of specifying drawings:

* NEW: A graph combinator mode where diagrams are specified the way
  they are composed as graphs.

* A matrix-like mode where the dimensions of the drawing are
  automatically computed by aligning diagram entries in rows and
  columns (this is also the `version 2 compatibility mode').

* A general `turtle graphic' drawing language for specifying graphs
  with objects and connections between them in a manner independent of
  orientation.

Both modes support the following specific features:

+ Positions can be given in variety of formats (extendable) including
  user defined coordinates (x,y) and relative to previous positions,
  objects, object edges, and points on connections.

+ Objects may be circular or rectangular (more shapes can be added)
  and adjusted in several ways.

+ Large library of objects with mnemonic names.

+ Objects that orient themself along a connection when placed relative
  to it, e.g., `\dir{|-}' is like \vdash but thus oriented; new such
  objects can be defined in a convenient way.

+ Includes circle segments and arbitrary TeX text.

+ Connections are aligned between the reference points of objects but
  start and end on the edges.

+ Any object can be used to build a connection (using `diagonal
  filling'); library objects provide common line types.

+ Special notation for drawing arrows with tail, stem, and head build
  from any object(s).  Special support for arrows that cross each
  other, arrows that `go by' other entries, combined arrows, and
  arrows with n/8 bends.

+ Library of frames.

+ Special notation for rotation, scaling, colour, and line thickness.
  The correct typesetting of these features requires a backend that
  supports it (i.e., PostScript) but even when this is not available
  XY-pic tries to approximate what is requested.

+ Output can use PostScript for drawing (several \special formats are
  supported: dvips, dvitops, Textures, and OzTeX -- more are being
  added continuously: contact Ross Moore <ross@mpce.mq.edu.au> for the
  current list).  Notation for inclusion of literal PostScript.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
AVAILABILTY
----------------------------------------------------------------------

XY-pic can be retrieved by anonymous ftp from at least the following
locations (given as `site : directory'):

  ftp.diku.dk : 	/diku/users/kris/TeX
  ftp.mpce.mq.edu.au :	/pub/maths/TeX

as well as (unpacked) on CTAN in macros/generic/diagrams/xypic.

The following distribution files should be available in the above two
locations but check the `README' file in each case:

  xy211.TRAILER		These release notes

  xy211run.tar.Z	XY-pic 2.11 `ready to run' distribution for
			  un*x and similar systems 

  xy211src.tar.Z	XY-pic 2.11 complete sources

  xy211mac.sit.hqx	XY-pic 2.11 adapted for the Macintosh w/Textures
			  by Ross Moore <ross@mpce.mq.edu.au>

  xyguide.ps.Z		User's Guide and Reference Manual preformatted
  xyrefer.ps.Z		  for a 300dpi PostScript printer

Please note that XY-pic is `copyleft' under the terms of the GNU
General Public License.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

This is the end of the TRAILER.  I hope you will enjoy XY-pic!

--
Kristoffer Hgsbro ROSE                         Internet: kris@diku.dk
DIKU, U of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 1, 2100 Kbenhavn , DANMARK
phone: +45 35321400       direct: +45 35321420       fax: +45 35321401
--
W3 <A HREF="file://ftp.diku.dk/diku/users/kris/WWW/home.html">home</A>
