Where to Go from Here - Data Points: Visualization That Means Something - page 288

So it makes sense to explore data visually with Python if you're already familiar
with the language. Although the visualization offerings aren't as extensive, the
matplotlib library is a good place to start: http://matplotlib.org/. Se e more at
http://python.org.
PHP
Like Python, PHP is a more general scripting language than R and Processing.
It's mostly for web programming. However, most web servers already have
PHP installed, which takes care of the installation step for you. Plus, PHP has a
graphics library, which means you can use it for visualization. Basically, if you
can load data and draw shapes based on that data, you can create a visual-
ization. See more at http://us.php.net/gd.
ILLUSTRATION
Static graphics that look polished, especially ones that you see in newspapers
and magazines, most likely went through illustration software at some point.
Adobe Illustrator is the most popular one, but it can be expensive for people
who don't use it regularly or just want to touch up their charts. Inkscape is
the open source alternative, and although it's not quite as usable as Illustrator,
it's enough to get the job done.
I use Illustrator regularly, so although the software is mainly for designers
and artists, it's worth it for me. My typical workflow is to use R to create the
foundation of a graphic, save charts as PDF files, and then bring them into
Illustrator to change colors, add annotation, and rework to maximize clarity.
You can, of course, customize in R, but I like to shift elements with point, click,
and drag to see immediate changes.
See more at the following sites:
u Adobe Illustrator, http://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator.html
u Inkscape, http://inkscape.org