Getting MATLAB Figures into Latex or Powerpoint
The Important Points
- Create a MATLAB script that makes your figure, include all the
labels, font changes, etc. as well as the calculations (or call a
function that does the calculations). This will be very important
later, because if you are creating a powerpoint presentation, sooner or
later you'll want it in Latex, or vice versa, and you won't want to
remember how to do all the manual adjustments all over again.
Even if you never use it in the other format, you will likely want to
change something. Changing one line in your script is a lot
easier than doing everything over again.
- Consider how to use color--in a printed document you want to make
sure that it will print well even on a black and white printer.
On the other hand, color can be effective in powerpoint. One
solution is to use color, but not rely on it--distinguish lines by type
(-- or ..., etc.) as well as by color, and use dark colors that print
well in black and white. This is also useful for color-blind
people in the audience.
Into Latex
To put a MATLAB figure into a latex document, simply export it in eps
format from the file menu of the figure. Choose color or not
according to what you want, and what you plan to do with it. Then
to import it into your latex document, use a line like
\includegraphics[width=3in,keepaspectratio]{filename.eps}
Into Powerpoint
To put a Matlab figure into a Powerpoint file, go to the edit menu of
the figure, and choose "Copy Options..." Make sure metafile
is selected, not bitmap. The other options are, well,
optional. The select "Copy Figure" (not just "Copy") and paste
into powerpoint. You may be able to simply resize the result to
get what you want, but you can also ungroup the object (select ungroup
from the draw menu and repeat as necessary) and make changes to it.