Technical Solutions

Solution:

Using an appropriate file format and an appropriate set of options, MATLAB can export graphics of publication quality. A set of user contributed functions, available at the MATLAB Central File Exchange, can be used to assist you with exporting graphics:

A collection of 4 functions to make it easier to export figures for publication can be found at:
http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/727

More information on these functions and exporting graphics in general can be found in the following MATLAB Digest Article:

Exporting Figures for Publication: Part 2
http://www.mathworks.com/company/digest/december00/export.shtml


Here is some additional information on printing to high quality graphics formats. You can find out how to print to these formats by reading the documentation on the PRINT command:

1) PostScript

PostScript is the most reliable, consistent, and presentable graphical output format which we support. Drawbacks include:

- a PostScript compatible printer must be used.
- the figures cannot be edited once the file is created, so all modifications must be made from within MATLAB.

The PostScript format is used by The MathWorks for all publications, presentations, and documentation. We have found that it is widely recognized by desktop publishing and word processing packages on all of the platforms we support.


2) Windows Metafiles (if you are using a PC)

Metafiles use a vectorized approach to drawing graphics, similar in nature to PostScript, and are capable of producing near publication quality graphics. Drawbacks are:

- files can generally be read only by Windows based programs
- resolution is not as crisp as that available from PostScript


3) HPGL

HPGL uses a vectored approach as well, and is capable of producing near publication quality graphics. HPGL is a widely recognized file format and can be read by many non-Windows based programs. Drawbacks are:

- files are typically 5 times larger than a PostScript file of the same image
- not all word processing programs support circle, dot, and dashed line styles