Asymptote: The Vector Graphics Language

A major advantage of Asymptote over other graphics packages is that it is a programming language, as opposed to just a graphics program. Features of Asymptote: provides a portable standard for typesetting mathematical figures, just as TeX/LaTeX has become the standard for typesetting equations; generates high-quality PostScript, PDF, SVG, or 3D PRC vector graphics; embeds 3D vector PRC graphics within PDF files; inspired by MetaPost, with a much cleaner, powerful C++-like programming syntax and IEEE floating-point numerics; runs on all major platforms (UNIX, MacOS, Microsoft Windows); mathematically oriented (e.g. rotation of vectors by complex multiplication); LaTeX typesetting of labels (for document consistency); uses simplex method and deferred drawing to solve overall size constraint issues between fixed-sized objects (labels and arrowheads) and objects that should scale with figure size; fully generalizes MetaPost path construction algorithms to three dimensions; compiles commands into virtual machine code for speed without sacrificing portability; high-level graphics commands are implemented in the Asymptote language itself, allowing them to be easily tailored to specific applications.