-*-text-*- $Id: TRAILER,v 2.12 1994/10/25 11:34:25 kris Exp kris $

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TRAILER: ANNOUNCING the Xy-pic version 2.12 DIAGRAM TYPESETTING PACKAGE
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Xy-pic is a package for typesetting a variety of graphs and diagrams
with TeX.  Xy-pic works with most formats (including LaTeX, AMS-LaTeX,
AMS-TeX, and plain TeX; in particular Xy-pic is provided as a LaTeX2e
`package').

NOTE: version 2.12 is a (bug fix) 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 2.12 was 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 is now structured as a kernel and
several orthogonal modules and several independent `specialist' modes
for convenient typesetting of Graphs and Trees, 2-cells, String and
braid diagrams, etc., are under construction.

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

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VERSION 2.12 FEATURES
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Xy-pic version 2.12 provides four modes of specifying drawings that
can be combined:

* NEW: A polygon mode where diagrams shaped as regular polygons are
  entered in a simple way.

* 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.

All 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.

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AVAILABILTY
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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 (where the format
of the files is also explained):

  xy212.TRAILER		These release notes

  xy212run.tar.gz	Xy-pic 2.12 `ready to run' distribution for
			  un*x and similar systems 

  xy212src.tar.gz	Xy-pic 2.12 complete sources

  xy212mac.sit.hqx	Xy-pic 2.12 adapted for the Macintosh w/Textures
			  by Ross Moore <ross@mpce.mq.edu.au>

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

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

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

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	      Kristoffer H{\o}gsbro ROSE  <kris@diku.dk>

     DIKU, Universitetsparken 1, 2100 K{\o}benhavn {\O}, DANMARK
     Phones: +45 35321400 direct: +45 35321420 fax: +45 35321401

	World Wide Web  <URL: http://www.diku.dk/users/kris/>

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