Dear all,

I have question concerning an SVG script I want to build, which could function as a plugin for inkscape. What I want is the following.

Say we have a table with images names (preferably SVGs) and X and Y coordinates. So:

image X Y
image1.svg 3 6
image2.svg 2 9
image3.svg 10 1
....

What I want is to automatically link the images at the indicated X and Y coordinates. Why would I want that? Assume for example that the images are pictures of members of a work group and the X and Y axes indicate their skill in programming (X) and graphical design (Y). Then this image would give a graphical depiction of where group member stand in this 2D space. More advanced, I would like to use clustering algorithms to derive the X and Y and as such cluster images. An extension would to send in a connection matrix (is person 1 connected to person 2, etc) and make a graph which draws the lines between the images.

But, I can't find a tool to do this, while the SVG format seems well suited to construct the images, which I could then further edit in Inkscape.

My question to you all, with which I hope you can help:
- Do you know of any tools/plugins which can already do this?
- How would you go about building this (for Inkscape)? What programming language (Python?), which libraries, etc.?
- Do you know other sources of information which can help me along?

Thanks a lot in advance, I hope my question is clear and suitable.

best,

Frank

Hi.

If you are into programming, have a look at matplotlib; http://matplotlib.org/index.html

Finding info on how to write extensions for Inkscape is not easy, I have found some by Google and also studied the extensions in installdir/inkscape/share/extensions.
The learning curve is steep!
You also have to get to know the SVG format, some leads; http://www.w3.org/Graphics/SVG/

Some other links which might be useful;
http://www.petercollingridge.co.uk/topics/graphics
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/formatssvg/About_SVG_Scalable_Vector_Graphics.htm
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:SVG
http://svg-whiz.com/index.html

Make sure to read the section on SVG's coordinate system which is FUBAR! (At least for my brain!! )
http://www.w3.org/TR/SVG/coords.html#SVGInitialUserCoordinateSystem

Good Luck
RGDS
Ragnar

For scripts you can use python, include javascript, ecmascript and C++ (?)

If you are familiar with javascript, you might find this helpful:
http://d3js.org/

Thanks for the fast and already useful suggestions! I will look into the SVG sources and D3 for sure. More suggestions (and example code) are welcome!

Thanks again,

Frank