# How could I add a graph to a post at MSE?

How could I add a graph to a post at MSE ? Is it possible to do this with mathjax ? If not, what would be an other way to add graphs to an question/answer. To illustrate, I would like to add something like this:

Here's my workflow...

Step 1: create graph in LaTeX using tikz to draw the graph, and the standalone document class. (I use the TeX.SE site if I get stuck.) Here's an example.

\documentclass[crop]{standalone}

\usepackage{tikz}

\begin{document}

\resizebox{2in}{!}{
\begin{tikzpicture}[rotate=-90]
\tikzstyle{vertex}=[draw,thick,circle,fill=blue!30,minimum size=5pt,inner sep=0pt]
\tikzstyle{vertex2}=[draw,thick,circle,fill=green!30,minimum size=5pt,inner sep=0pt]

\draw[fill=red!15] (0,3) ellipse (0.25 and 2.4);
\draw[fill=red!15] (2,3) ellipse (0.25 and 2.4);

\draw (0,1) node[vertex] (v1) {};
\draw (0,2) node[vertex] (v2) {};
\draw (0,3) node[vertex] (v3) {};
\draw (0,4) node[vertex] (v4) {};
\draw (0,5) node[vertex] (v5) {};

\draw (2,1) node[vertex2] (u1) {};
\draw (2,2) node[vertex2] (u2) {};
\draw (2,3) node[vertex2] (u3) {};
\draw (2,4) node[vertex2] (u4) {};
\draw (2,5) node[vertex2] (u5) {};

\draw (v1) to[bend left] (v2);
\draw (v1) to[bend left] (v3);
\draw (v1) to[bend left] (v4);
\draw (v1) to[bend left] (v5);
\draw (v2) to[bend left] (v3);
\draw (v2) to[bend left] (v4);
\draw (v2) to[bend left] (v5);
\draw (v3) to[bend left] (v4);
\draw (v3) to[bend left] (v5);
\draw (v4) to[bend left] (v5);
\draw (u1) to[bend right] (u2);
\draw (u1) to[bend right] (u3);
\draw (u1) to[bend right] (u4);
\draw (u1) to[bend right] (u5);
\draw (u2) to[bend right] (u3);
\draw (u2) to[bend right] (u4);
\draw (u2) to[bend right] (u5);
\draw (u3) to[bend right] (u4);
\draw (u3) to[bend right] (u5);
\draw (u4) to[bend right] (u5);

\draw (u3) -- (v1);
\draw (u3) -- (v2);
\draw (u3) -- (v3);
\draw (u3) -- (v4);
\draw (u2) -- (v1);
\draw (u2) -- (v2);
\draw (u2) -- (v3);
\draw (u2) -- (v4);
\end{tikzpicture}
}

\end{document}


The \resizebox{2in}{!}{ ... } changes the size of the image; I adjust it via trial and error.

Step 2: Compile and convert to .png format. I do this in Kile, where it takes just a click of a button.

Step 3: Upload the .png file.

Note: usually I don't bother writing most of the tikz code myself, but instead write a GAP script to write the tikz code for me. I edit the output manually.

You can add very basic graphs using mathjax:

\begin{array}{ccccc}
&  & 1 &  \\
&╱&   &╲  \\
5 &  &   & & 2 \\
| &  &   & & |  \\
4 &  & — & & 3
\end{array}


\begin{array}{ccccc} & & 1 & & \\ & ╱ & & ╲ \\ 5 & & & & 2 & \\ | & & & & | \\ 4 & & — & &3 \end{array}

What you did seems to have worked. This is pretty much what everyone does: create an image using external software, and upload it to MSE via imgur.

• I just got this from google images. Any external software that you would recommend ? – Kasper May 8 '13 at 13:20
• @Kasper I prefer SVG grahics for that (and in fact use a text editor more often than inkscape for simple graphs and graphics). Unfortunately, SVG is not supported for upload, so it needs to be converted (with gimp for example). I bet there are smarter options available, esp. with some math support. – Hagen von Eitzen May 8 '13 at 14:45
• @Kasper: personally, I use Intaglio, but it is Mac only. Check out the link given by J.M. above. It seems to cover most of the programs I have seen others mention. – robjohn May 8 '13 at 14:56
• @kasper You might find some reasonable suggestions on TeX.SE, too. You can browse questions tagged graphs; for example you find there this question. You can also have a look at the question about diagrams in community polls. – Martin Sleziak May 8 '13 at 16:28