| Grapher is a charting tool that can create static and dynamic 2-D and 3-D graphs based on formulas. Although Grapher appeared in earlier versions of Mac OS (as Graphing Calculator), Mac OS X 10.4 includes the first Mac OS X-compatible version. I won't pretend to be an expert on Grapher because I'm not. Sure, I can tell you how to use it, but I can't tell you how it works to create all the cool graphs it can create. In fact, if you have a need for a tool like Grapher, you probably know a lot more about its use than I do. But in this section, I explain how to get started using it so you can experiment on your own. Tip Graphing Calculator has a fascinating history that might interest you if you like Apple trivia. To learn more about how and why it was written, fire up your Web browser and visit http://www.pacifict.com/story/. To graph a formula 1. | Open the Grapher icon in the Utilities folder (Figure 1). | 2. | If necessary, choose File > New or press to display the New Graph dialog (Figure 77). Figure 77. The first step to graphing a formula is to choose a graph type in the New Graph dialog.
| 3. | Click a button near the top of the dialog to list either 2D or 3D document types. | 4. | In the list on the left side of the dialog, select the type of document you want. A preview appears in the right side of the dialog (Figure 77). | 5. | Click Open. An untitled window with an empty graph appears (Figure 78). Figure 78. An untitled document for a 3-D graph.
| 6. | Type the formula you want to chart in the box at the top of the window. | 7. | Press . The formula's graph appears in the window and the formula is added to the Definitions list (Figure 79). Figure 79. Grapher can create animated, 3-D graphs like this one.
| 8. | If desired, repeat steps 6 and 7 to add other formulas to the graph. |
Tips Once you've created a graph, you can save or print it using commands under the File menu (Figure 80). I tell you about saving files in Chapter 7 and printing in Chapter 12. Figure 80. You may find it easier to enter complex formulas with the Equation Palette.
Grapher's Equation Palette (Figure 81) makes it a bit easier to enter complex formulas. To display it, choose Window > Show Equation Palette or press . Figure 81. Grapher's File menu offers commands you can use with completed graphs.
Want to see some cool examples? Check out a few options under the Examples menu (Figure 82). Figure 82. The Examples menu lists a bunch of cool sample graphs.
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