--- loncom/html/adm/help/tex/Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Gnuplot.tex	2005/05/31 15:21:13	1.5
+++ loncom/html/adm/help/tex/Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Gnuplot.tex	2013/07/05 18:30:40	1.6
@@ -1,23 +1,36 @@
 \label{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Gnuplot}
 
-The \textbf{gnuplot} tag allows an author to design a plot which is created
+\index{gnuplot}\index{plot}\index{dynamic plot}
+The \textbf{gnuplot} LON-CAPA tag allows an author to design a plot which is created
 when it is viewed.  This is intended for use in homework problems
 where each student needs to see a distinct plot.  It can be used in
-conjunction with a \textbf{script} tag to generate random plots.
+conjunction with a \textbf{script} tag to generate curve data for random plots.
+If you are using
+static data a dynamically generated plot is not appropriate because of
+the overhead associated with generating the plot. In that case, use a
+picture (see \ref{Authoring_Adding_Pictures}).
+
+The easiset way to create a template for a gnuplot tag is to use the colorful 
+problem editor, and select \textbf{GnuPlot} from the \textbf{Insert} dropdown menu. 
+Then the boxes may be filled with the assistance of this documentation. By default, only
+the parent \textbf{gnuplot} tag and the child \textbf{curve} tag are created by 
+default when the plot is inserted with the colorful editor. Other tags can be 
+added to decorate and polish your plot using the \textbf{Insert:} dropdown 
+from the colorful editor.
 
-The following parameters may be set:
+The following \textbf{gnuplot} parameters may be set:
 
 \begin{itemize}
 \item \texttt{brief description of the plot} 
-This text is used as the \texttt{alt} parameter of the \texttt{img} tag 
-used to embed the plot.
+This text is used as the \texttt{alt} value of the \texttt{img} tag 
+used to display the plot on a web page.
 
 \item \texttt{background color of image (xffffff)}
-See the section on color selection \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Color_Selection}
+See the color selection section \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Color_Selection}
 for help on specifying colors.
 
 \item \texttt{foreground color of image (x000000)} 
-See the section on color selection \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Color_Selection}
+See the color selection  section \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Color_Selection}
 for help on specifying colors.
 
 \item \texttt{height of image (pixels)}
@@ -32,9 +45,9 @@ If the image is transparent the backgrou
 
 \item \texttt{Display grid} ``Yes'' or ``No''.  
 
-\item \texttt{Number of samples for non-data plots}  If a \textbf{function} 
-\ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Curve_Function} tag is used to specify the
-\textbf{curve} \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Curve}, this indicates the number
+\item \texttt{Number of samples for non-data plots}  If a \textbf{function} tag 
+(see section \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Curve_Function}) is used to specify the
+\textbf{curve} (see section \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Curve}), this indicates the number
 of sample points to use.
 
 \item \texttt{Draw border around plot} ``Yes'' or ``No''
@@ -63,15 +76,17 @@ plot border or axes, measured in graph u
 
 \end{itemize}
 
-The \textbf{gnuplot} tag allows the use of the the following tags:
+The parent \texttt{gnuplot} tag allows the use of the the following child tags 
+(only the \textbf{curve} tag is added automatically when inserting with the colorful
+editor):
 
 \begin{itemize}
-\item \textbf{curve} \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Curve}
-\item \textbf{key}   \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Key}
-\item \textbf{label} \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Label}
-\item \textbf{axes}  \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Axes}
-\item \textbf{tics}  \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Tics}
-\item \textbf{title}, \textbf{xlabel}, and \textbf{ylabel} 
-      \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Title_X_Y_Label}
+\item \textbf{curve} (see section \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Curve})
+\item \textbf{title}, \textbf{xlabel}, and \textbf{ylabel} (see section 
+\ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Title_X_Y_Label})
+\item \textbf{key}   (see section \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Key})
+\item \textbf{label} (see section \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Label})
+\item \textbf{axes}  (see section \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Axes})
+\item \textbf{tics}  (see section \ref{Authoring_Dynamic_Plot_Tics})
 \end{itemize}