Making Graphs/Tables for a Publication

[qwopty99]

hi folks,

i just had a manuscript returned to me for major revision. included, was a suggestion to provide the information via a table.

do i have to use special software for this? or do i just do it out of the "table" function that accompanies microsoft word? (i.e. select rows and columns) what about graphs?

as for drawing programs/line art - are there any recommended free programs?

thanks in advance.

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[Circumflex]

I've used Word for Tables (nothing fancy) and Excel for bar graphs.

 

[RxnMan]

I've used Word for Tables (nothing fancy) and Excel for bar graphs.

Ditto here. Yeah, it's low-tech, and the resolution's not so great, but it gets the job done. I also use the print screen function a lot - as long as I can see what I want readers to see on my computer screen, then I can capture it and paste it into my writing. I edit those with MS Paint or Word, depending.

I also add arrows by pasting the figure into PowerPoint - I like the arrows provided in the software. Then I paste the whole thing (select everything, then use the "Group" function to make it one item) into Word.

 

[Circumflex]

I forgot - PowerPoint is a nice way to make graphs - you can save them as .jpegs or other graphic formats and import them.

 

[j-weezy]

Does anyone in your lab have Adobe Illustrator? I found that to be a really easy drawing program - especially for illustrating plasmids and vectors etc. because it's so easy to draw curved boxes. Unfortunately with the name Adobe plastered in front it will certainly not be free and even the student rates are ridiculous!

 

[MrMunkily]

Try Inkscape.

It's free. I use it for diagramming all the time. Should be pretty good for what you need.

 

[RxnMan]

Try Inkscape.

It's free. I use it for diagramming all the time. Should be pretty good for what you need.

Thanks. Looks like something to check out. During the transition from Excel -> Paint -> PowerPoint -> Word, I usually end up having to redo something because it gets too grainy.

 

[Faebinder]

No way..

Microsoft Excel is the best for tables.. then just copy paste it to Microsoft Word...

Excel is so easy.... and right clicking is the key.

 

[NGN47]

Yeah, try Excel for the tables. Then import it into word. For the graphs, I would also go with Excel. If you want to get fancy and make it look attractive, take it inside Adobe Illustrator. A simple 'cut and paste' from an Excel 'chart' will import easily into Illustrator. It will be a scalable vector graphic when you save from Illustrator--so it might be better to export it as a 'tif' or 'jpeg' depending on the journal's style specifications. For drawing, I would also try Adobe Illustrator. Good luck! I have learned that a little graphic arts abilitiy goes a long way as a graduate student.

 

[Myempire1]

I have either used Excel, prism, or graphpad to make figs and then took them to adobe illistrator or macromedia fireworks for cleaning up. How you transfer files from one program to another depends on the program and what platform you are using.

but that just my 2 cents

 

[Faebinder]

I have either used Excel, prism, or graphpad to make figs and then took them to adobe illistrator or macromedia fireworks for cleaning up. How you transfer files from one program to another depends on the program and what platform you are using.

but that just my 2 cents

Graphprism is nice for graphs as well... but just not as good as excel... Xl-stat is what I use to do graphs on excel for complicated stuff like survival curves.

Graph Prism and Graphpad are phenomenal when it comes to calculating things... sooooo user friendly. Great company.

 

[Dr. MightyMouse]

The program we use in our lab is SigmaPlot. I believe its published by microsoft, but im not 100% sure. This program is fantastic for creating graphs. It has a few quirks, but we use a rather old version, so any new versions may have fixed those. All in all its the best I've seen, and all of our manuscripts have been accepted using this program. Hope it helps.

 

[chrsjav]

My lab uses Origin for publication-quality graphs and electrophys recordings. However, when I make graphs for myself I use python and matplotlib. Check out some example scripts:

http://www.scipy.org/Cookbook/Matplotlib/