🚀 go-pugleaf

Does anyone know of a good package for *scientific* graphics?  There are
lots of business-type graphics packages available, but the few scientific
graphics packages (e.g. MathCad) I've seen are quite limited (no or very 
primitive contour plots, no vector fields, etc).

I'm talking about plotting arrays of numbers (e.g., generated by a numerical 
model or data analysis program), and specifically NOT about freehand "draw" or 
"paint" programs. The two main requirements are for contour plots (say, a 
topographic map with labeled contours) and vector fields (not to be confused 
with vector graphics; I'm talking about something like wind vectors at 
specified points) with the ability to superimpose the two onto one frame.  I 
don't need business-type stuff like pie charts, histograms, etc., though this 
would be ok if included as extras.  Some method for producing hardcopy output 
(preferably PostScript) is essential.  Finally, the source code must be 
available so that I can put in things like coordinate transformations, etc. 
The source should be in [asbestos suit on] Fortran [asbestos suit off]. 

The package would be something with capabilities very similar to NCAR Graphics 
(with which I have experience on mainframes).  One company offers a PC 
version of NCAR Graphics for about $1700.  This seems very high, 
considering that the basic NCAR package is public domain (and compares 
to $900 for a Unix workstation version of NCAR Graphics sold by another 
company).  I'm willing to spend <$1000, ideally <<$1000, or better yet 
public domain. 

Any help you can offer would be appreciated.  I'm especially interested in 
hearing the experiences of people who actually have used one package or 
another.  And has anyone done their own port of NCAR Graphics to a PC?
________________________________________________________________________
Ray Arritt                        | 
Dept. of Physics and Astronomy    |
Univ. of Kansas                   |
Lawrence, KS  66045               |
arritt@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu         |
arritt@ukanvax.bitnet             |