Asymptote: How to

Asymptote (Vector Graphics Language)

Getting Started - Basics - Drawing - Labeling - Filling - Useful functions - Examples - Macros and Packages Help - Reference - Advanced Asymptote - 3D Graphics - CSE5 Package - How to

Drawing

This is one of the most basic of asymptote elements.

Let us start off with the most basic of this basic command: drawing a dot.

To draw a dot, simply write the following code:

dot((0,0));

You can fix certain attributes to this dot, such as color:

dot((0,0),green);

Now let's draw a path, or a line segment.

draw((0,0)--(5,5));

Once again, we can set certain attributes, such as color and linewidth, both at the same time.

draw((0,0)--(5,5),green+linewidth(1));

Now if this diagram is too large, we can size it to be smaller:

size(100); draw((0,0)--(5,5),green+linewidth(1));

We can also create multiple paths with one line, if we want a triangle or a square, for example:

draw((0,0)--(5,5)--(5,0)--cycle);

Note that this uses the cycle command, meaning the path returns to its original point, in this case (0,0).

Filling

As explained above, you can create closed objects such as:

draw(origin--(5,0)--(3,4)--cycle);

Now introducing the [b]fill()[/b] command. You would fill this triangle with green by the following:

fill(origin--(5,0)--(3,4)--cycle, green);

Note how there is no outline. To create an outline and fill, without making two different statements, use the filldraw() command. Like the order of filldraw, you put the color of the fill before the draw.

filldraw(origin--(5,0)--(3,4)--cycle, green, red+linewidth(1));