LaTeX Video Tutorials

Writing basic math in LaTeX - inline math and math environment

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 21:44:00 -0800

Internet abounds with LaTex tutorials on how to write mathematics equations and simple symbols in LaTeX. It is sometimes not clear as to how the math environment works in general and how to differntiate between inline math equations and how to write them on a line of their own.

I earlier did a tutorial on how to write mathematical equations using Latex which covered the "equation" environment in LaTeX. Math environment is equally important and in this tutorial I am going to talk about how to use basic math environment in LaTeX.

Specifically, I am going to discuss how to do the following in LaTeX:

How to initiate Math environment
Writing inline math equations and writing equations in a separate line
How to use frac for equations
How to use paranthesis and brackets to enclose mathematical symbols and equations
How to type powers and indices
How to write matrices

Following video illustrates the step by step instructions to use math in LaTeX

The code used in this tutorial is here:
\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{amsmath}

\usepackage{amssymb}

\begin{document}

\title{Basic Mathematics with Latex by http://QuickLatex.blogspot.com}

\maketitle

This is inline \[n\] math symbol.

For inline $n$ or $n$ is used and for displayed math we can use $$n$$ or \[n\].

We start with $n$ elements and we continue to divide them in half leaving $\frac{n}{2}$ elements.

The power can be written using caret symbol, for instance $n^n$ results in n to the power n written nicely.

The indices could be written using underscore, for instance $n_i$ makes i an index of n.

$(\frac{n}{2})$

$\left( \frac{n}{2} \right)$\\

$[\frac{n}{2}]$

$\left[ \frac{n}{2} \right]$\\

\left(

\begin{array} {c c c}

1 & 2 & 3\\

4 & 5 & 6\\

7 & 8 & 9

\end{array}

\right)

\end{document}

How to create table in Latex from MS Excel files or other external databases

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 5 Feb 2012 19:24:00 -0800

Latex can be used to create tables from external files such as MS-Excel files saved as comma separated values or similarly many other formats. Recently, I received a comment where a reader suggested that I should post a tutorial on how to create tables in Latex from external files. I searched around and found multiple ways to achieve this. I am going to talk about two of the most popular ways of doing it. First one is using pgfplotstable and the second one is using datatool package.

Specifiacally, we are going to learn the following in this tutorial:

Using datatool package to load external files
Usng MS-Excel files to create tables in Latex

Using \DTLloaddb to set keys and use external files

Using \DTLforeach to iterate the external file

Using \pgfplotstable package

Using \booktabs package

Using pgfplotstabletypeset

Styling each column of table

Using style rules from booktabs package

The following video tutorial explains both methods of creating tables in Latex using external database files.

The code for both of the methods is given below for your reference:

The first method - suing datatool package

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{datatool}

\DTLloaddb[keys={c1,c2,c3}]{ctext}{csvtext.csv}

\begin{document}

\begin{table}

\begin{tabular}{clr}

\textbf{Software} & \textbf{Manufacturer} & \textbf{Malware}

\DTLforeach{ctext}{

\cola=c1,\colb=c2,\colc=c3}{\\

\cola & \colb & \colc}

\end{tabular}

\end{table}

\end{document}

The second method - using pgfplotstable package

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{pgfplotstable}

\usepackage{booktabs}

\begin{document}

\pgfplotstabletypeset[

col sep=comma,

columns/Software/.style={string type},

columns/num1/.style={string type},

columns/num2/.style={string type},

every head row/.style={

before row=\toprule,

after row =\midrule

},

every last row/.style={after row=\bottomrule}

]{csvtext.csv}

\end{document}

LaTeX Tutorial: How to use Lists in Latex - itemize, enumerate, description, and inparaenum

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:29:00 -0800

LaTeX is a great tool for typesetting and it is more powerful than MS-Word. It has a steep learning curve and that is why I believe these video tutorials will help you guys. Today, I am going to talk about lists in LaTeX. LaTeX can produce both bulleted lists or unordered lists, and numbered lists or ordered lists. We will also see how to use lists with descriptions given to each list item.

Specifically, we are going to have an introduction of following topics in LaTex:

Lists in LaTeX: Itemize, enumerate, inparalist, and description

Itemized list in LaTeX for bullets
enumerated list in LaTeX for numbered lists
inparalist in LaTeX for lists wrapped around text
description lists in LaTeX for lists with description for each item

Nested lists in LaTeX
Using styles for numbering lists (roman, in parenthesis etc.)
Use of paralist LaTeX package

Here is the video for this tutorial:

If you have a question or comment please do not hesitate to leave a comment. I will answer to as many comments as I can.

The code for this tutorial is here:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{paralist}
\begin{document}
\title{Creating Bullets and Lists with \LaTeX by http://QuickLatex.blogspot.com}
\maketitle
\section{Bullets and Lists in \LaTeX}
\begin{itemize}
\item First bullet is here
\item Second bullet is here
\end{itemize}
\begin {enumerate}
\setcounter{enumi}{5}
\item This is item number 1
\item This is item number 2
\end{enumerate}
\begin {description}
\item [Chapter 1] This is the first desciption
\item [Chapter 2] This is the second description
\end{description}
\begin{inparaenum}[(i)]
There are three advantages of this method:
\item it is faster,
\item it is cost effective, and
\item it is efficient
\end{inparaenum}
\end{document}

LaTeX Tutorial: How to write mathematical equations in LaTeX

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:39:00 -0800

Those who use LaTeX for their documentation related works, usually are from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) background. These people use equations more often than not. Therefore, I will introduce how to write equations in LaTeX today.

In this tutorial we will go over following features:

Latex amsmath package
Latex equation environment
Using Simple equations like x = y + z
Using Summation in equations
Using Integration in equations
Using Cases in equation (if condition based values of a variable)
Using fractions to write multiple-row equations

Watch the following video to learn how to do these things:

The code used in this Video can be found below:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\begin{document}
\title{Writing Equations with Latex by http://QuickLatex.blogspot.com}
\maketitle
\begin{equation}
%x = y + z
%f(x) = x ^ 2
%f(x) = x_1 + x_2 + x_3 + ......+ x_n
%f(x) = \sum_{i=1}^{n} {x_i}
%f(x) = \int_{i=1}^{n}{x_i}
%X=
%\begin{cases}
%5, \text{if X is divisible by 5}
%\\
%10, \text {if X is divisible by 10}
%\\
%-1, \text {otherwise}
%\end{cases}
X =
\frac{\substack{\sum_{i=1}^{n} {x_i}}}
{\substack{\sum_{i=20}^{50} {x_i}}}
\end{equation}
\end{document}

How to write an algorithm in Latex : Video Tutorial with sample algorithm

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:48:00 -0800

People in Computer Science and Mathematics department often write algorithms for their papers, thesis, and other research articles. In this tutorial I will explain how to write an algorithm in Latex using the algorithm and algorithmic package in Latex. I will explain the basics of an article and show how simple building blocks can be added to Latex to write a full fledged professional quality algorithm.

Specifically, we will learn the following in this tutorial:

How to write an algorithm in Latex
Use of algorithm and algorithmic package
How to use loops in an algorithm
How to use IF statements in an algorithm
How to add caption to an algorithm
How to label an algorithm to refer it in the document

The code for this algorithm is shown below and explained in the video.

Here is the code used in this video:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{algorithm}
\usepackage{algorithmic}
\begin{document}
\begin{algorithm}
\textbf{INPUT:} Set of Base Layer polygon $S_b$ and Set of Overlay Layer polygon $S_o$\\
\textbf{OUTPUT:} Intersection Graph ($V$,$E$), where $V$ is set of polygons and $E$ is edges among polygons with intersecting bounding boxes.
\begin{algorithmic}
\STATE Parallel Merge Sort set $S_o$ of overlay polygons based on X co-ordinates of bounding boxes\footnotemark[1]
\FORALL{base polygon $B_i$ in set $S_b$ of base polygons}
\STATE find $S_x \subset S_o$ such that $B_i$ intersects with all elements of $S_x$ over $X$ co-ordinate
\FORALL{overlay polygon $O_j$ in $S_x$}
\IF {$B_i$ intersects $O_j$ over $Y$ co-ordinate}
\STATE{Create Link between $O_j$ and $B_i$}
\ENDIF
\ENDFOR
\ENDFOR
\end{algorithmic}
\caption{Algorithm to create polygon intersection graph}
\label{algo:relgraph}
\end{algorithm}
\end{document}

The output looks like the following:

How to draw Reddit Alien in LaTeX using Tikz - Video tutorial and code

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 5 Jan 2012 13:26:00 -0800

If you are not a Redditor you are a lucky person. It's a one way traffic scenario with no dead end. Once you subscribe to Reddit there is no way back and it is no good being there. I am expecting my colleagues to have an intervention for my Reddit addiction soon but till then I am all here to invest (read:waste) my precious time.

Since we got that out of our way, let us get back to business. Today, we are going to see how to draw a cartoon figure using LaTeX. The motivation behind this post is /r/latex on Reddit as I wanted that subreddit to have its logo drawn in LaTeX. I did not know it already was in LaTeX but it seems my work is appreciated there so I am going to contribute my 2 cents to the community.

Specifically, we will learn following things in this tutorial:

How to work with Colors - defining RGB colors in LaTeX.
How to use multiple layers to set order of document objects (send to back, bring forward like functionality).
How to use Arcs in an effective way.
How to draw lines with multiple points
How to draw curved lines in LaTeX

Check out this video for explanation of the code. The co-ordinates might look crazy but after you go through the video it will be a cinch. Leave a comment if you have a question. The code is given below, so if you improve it please do let me know and I will post your code on here.

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{tikz}

\usetikzlibrary{shapes,shadows,arrows}

\begin{document}

\pgfdeclarelayer{background}

\pgfdeclarelayer{main}

\pgfdeclarelayer{foreground}

\pgfsetlayers{background,main,foreground}

\definecolor{orangered}{RGB}{255,69,00}

\tikzstyle{vrutt}=[draw=orangered, fill=orangered, circle,minimum height=0.5in, line width=5mm]

\tikzstyle{elli}=[draw, ellipse, minimum height=2.85in, text width=2.95in, text centered, line width=5mm]

\begin{tikzpicture}

\begin{pgfonlayer} {foreground}

\node [elli, fill=white] (face) {};

%feet

\node [below of=face,yshift=-4.1in, xshift=-2.0in] (base){};

\draw [line width=5mm](base) -- +(3.8in,0in);

\draw [line width=5mm] (4.3,-11.5) arc (-10:80:1.8);

\draw [line width=5mm] (-4.7,-11.5) arc (190:80:1.8);

%torso

\draw [line width=5mm](face.230) to[out=260, in=150] +(0.75in,-3.15in);

\draw [line width=5mm](face.310) to[out=280, in=30] +(-0.75in,-3.15in);

%eyes

\node [vrutt, xshift=-5em, yshift=9mm] (lefteye) {};

\node [vrutt, xshift=5em, yshift=9mm] (righteye) {};

% Smile

\draw [line width=5mm] (-2.0,-1.0) to[out=320, in=220] (2.0,-1.0);

%Antenna

\draw[line width=5mm](-0.5,3.76) -- +(1cm, 2.5cm) -- +(3.5cm, 2cm);

\node [vrutt, fill=none, draw=black, above of=face, yshift=4.65cm, xshift=3.5cm, minimum height=0.5in] (antenna){};

%Text

\node (face.275)[yshift=-3in] (text){\Huge \textbf{\LaTeX}};

\end{pgfonlayer}

\begin{pgfonlayer} {background}

%Ears

\draw [line width=4mm] (4.4,1.3) arc (-80:315:1);

\draw [line width=4mm] (-4.3,1.3) arc (-80:315:1);

%hands

\draw [line width=4mm] (3.05,-7.8) arc (-70:80:2.3);

\draw [line width=4mm] (-3.05,-7.8) arc (250:90:2.3);

\end{pgfonlayer}

\end{tikzpicture}

\end{document}

The alien looks like this one:

LaTeX Video Tutorial: How to Create a Resume or CV (Curriculum Vitae) using LaTeX

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:18:00 -0800

One of the most frequent questions my colleagues ask me is how to create a Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV), if you will, in LaTeX. I have a style file that was passed to me by a friend who found it on Internet. Since this looked good I used it and, thanks to the original contributor, I am going to share it with you all today. You will be able to download these files and create a professional Resume for yourself.

The files can be download from the linked locations:

The Resume.tex file (main document)

The Class file res.cls (for page setting)

In the video tutorial, attached below, I have explained how to change the text for your needs. The structure of the Resume (or CV) is highly flexible and once you get hold of the basics it will be pretty straight forward for you to tweak it for your own use.

I have tried to add the basic sections that are present in most of the Resumes but you will most probably add more depending on your requirements. I am pretty sure it will be easy for you to add or remove a particular section.

Please leave a comment with a link to your Resume if you were able to use this template successfully. This will motivate me to work harder to bring you even cooler stuff. Moreover, please comment with requests if you want me to do a video tutorial of a specific topic.

Latex Tutorial: How to Create Images, Diagrams, and Flow Charts Using Latex

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:45:00 -0800

This tutorial is an extension of previous video tutorial on how to use tikz for image creation in Latex. In this video I explain how to set up your document for flow chat design. This equally applies to any other image that uses similar structure.

Specifically, in this video I talk about following things:

How to create a flow chart
How to setup styles for reusable components of an image
How to draw arrows from one component to other
How to change the styles of components
How to change the arrowhead for Latex arrows
How to align components left, right, top, and below of each other

The code use:d in the video is here:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{tikz}
\usetikzlibrary{shapes,shadows,arrows}
\begin{document}
\tikzstyle{decision} = [diamond, draw, fill=blue!50]
\tikzstyle{line} = [draw, -stealth, thick]
\tikzstyle{elli}=[draw, ellipse, fill=red!50,minimum height=8mm, text width=5em, text centered]
\tikzstyle{block} = [draw, rectangle, fill=blue!50, text width=8em, text centered, minimum height=15mm, node distance=10em]
\begin{tikzpicture}
\node [block] (start) {Start};
\node [block, left of=start, xshift=-5em] (process1) {Process 1};
\node [elli, above of=start, yshift=5em] (user) {user};
\node [block, right of=start, xshift=5em] (process2) {Process 2};
\node[decision, below of=start, yshift=-5em](decision1){Process 1?};
%arrows
\path [line] (user) -- (start);
\path [line] (start) -- (decision1);
\path [line] (decision1) -| node[yshift=0.5em, xshift=10em] {yes} (process1);
\path [line] (decision1) -| node[yshift=0.5em, xshift=-10em] {no} (process2);
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}

The image produced by this code is :

The explanation of this code is given in the tutorial as we develop this code:

Latex Tutorial: How to use Tikz to create images in Latex

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:53:00 -0800

Tikz is one of the most widely used packages for image creation in Latex. It has so much that there is absolutely nothing that you can't draw with latex and can with some other tool. In this tutorial we explain the basics of Tikz. We go over the basic shapes, how to draw them, how to understand the co-ordinates, and positioning of the components of an image.

Specifically, this tutorial demonstrates:

How to draw a rectangle in Latex using TikZ
How to draw a ellipse in Latex using TikZ
How to draw a circle in Latex using TikZ
How to draw an arc in Latex using TikZ
How to fill the shapes with colors
How to change the line styles - solid, dashed etc.

The code for this experiment is here:

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{tikz}

\usetikzlibrary{shapes, arrows, shadows}

\begin{document}

\begin{tikzpicture}

\draw[fill=blue] (2,3) ellipse (2 and 3);

\draw[fill=red, style=dashed] (2,3) circle (2);

\draw (0,0) rectangle (4,4);

\draw[fill=red!50] (1,2) -- +(40:4) arc(40:180:4) -- cycle;

\end{tikzpicture}

\end{document}

The video where I develop this code and explain everything is below. If you have a question or want me to demonstrate any particular feature in Latex just leave me a comment and I will address it.

Latex tutorial on how to add formatting to text - boldface, italicized, superscript, and subscript

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 21:44:00 -0800

This tutorial explains how to add basic text formatting to a Latex document. It is a short succinct video explaining to the point with examples. The code and the video both are available here.

After watching this video you will be able to do the following tasks in Latex:

How to make text Bold
How to make text Italicized
How to use subscript in text
How to use superscript in text
A little of math mode using "$" symbol

Here is the video for this tutorial

The code used in this tutorial can be found below:

\documentclass[8pt,letterpaper]{article}
\begin{document}
\title{A sample \LaTeX{} article by 5 minutes of Latex}
\maketitle
\section{Introduction}
\huge This \normalsize is a \textbf{\textit{sample} introduction} section.\\
This is a \textit{second line} in the introduction.\\
This is a {\it third} line. $X_i$=$Y_{i^2}$
\section{Motivation}
This is an example of how to use a new section
\end{document}

How to cite references in Latex with explanation of a bibtex database and citation index

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:53:00 -0800

This is a tutorial that extends what we learnt in the previous tutorial on how to write IEEE style papers using Latex. In this tutorial we are going to talk about how to use citations in your paper. A paper is not complete without proper research and hence you need to cite those papers that add value to your own paper. Specifically, we are going to talk about:

What is a bibtex database
How to create a bibtex database
How to add an external database in your paper
How to add style to your bibtex database
How to assign citation keys to your bibtex database entries.
How to cite those references in your text

The code for this tutorial is given below. You need to create your own .bib file with the name ieetutorial.bib. Please leave a comment if you need help with that and I will post the file from tutorial:

\documentclass[conference]{IEEEtran}\usepackage{cite}\begin{document}\title{Sample IEEE paper style using Latex by QuickLatex.blogspot.com}\author{\IEEEauthorblockN{Author first, Author Second, and Suthor Third}\IEEEauthorblockA{Department of Latex Typeset\\Latex University\\City - State - Zip \\Email: latex@latex.lates}}\maketitle\begin{abstract}This is an abstract for a paper to show how to use latex for IEEE paper typeset.\end{abstract}\section{Introduction}\label{sec:intro} Here is a modified text sample for intro section using latex. This is a citation \cite~{authoryear} This is how you refer a section in another section Section~\ref{sec:meth} ..... \section{Methodologies} \label{sec:meth} This is the other section that you can use. \bibilographystyle{IEEEtran}\bibliography{ieetutorial} \end{document}

How to use Latex to write a conference paper with an example of IEEE style paper

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:03:00 -0800

In this tutorial we demonstrate how to write a paper using IEEE class. If you want to write a paper/article using two column format this is the way to do it. This tutorial covers:

How to write Title of the paper
How to write Author names
How to write Author Address
How to write Author Affiliation
How to write Author Emails
How to write Abstract
How to write the introduction and other sections
How to refer one section in other sections.

Here is the video of the tutorial

The code that is used in this tutorial is here:

\documentclass[conference]{IEEEtran}

\usepackage{cite}

\begin{document}

\title{Sample IEEE paper style using Latex by QuickLatex.blogspot.com}

\author{\IEEEauthorblockN{Author first, Author Second, and Suthor Third}

\IEEEauthorblockA{Department of Latex Typeset\\

Latex University\\

City - State - Zip \\

Email: latex@latex.lates}

}

\maketitle

\begin{abstract}

This is an abstract for a paper to show how to use latex for IEEE paper typeset.

\end{abstract}

\section{Introduction}

\label{sec:intro}

Here is a modified text sample for intro section using latex. This is how you refer a section in another section Section~\ref{sec:meth} .....

\section{Methodologies}

\label{sec:meth}

This is the other section that you can use.

\end{document}

If you have a question please leave a comment and I will try to answer your question as soon as possible.

How to create a simple article in Latex - basic latex structure explained and a minimal document created

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:12:00 -0800

This is the first tutorial in the video tutorial series on how to learn Latex. In this tutorial I will show you how to create a very basic Latex document.

In order to get started you need to download Latex on your machine (Windows, Mac, Linux). You can download the right package for you from this page.

Here is the code from the tutorial. The video is attached with explanation. Hope this will come handy to you.

\documentclass[8pt,letterpaper]{article}
%\usepackage[left=12mm, top=0.5in, bottom=5in]{geometry}
\begin{document}
\title{A sample /Latex/ article by 5 minutes of Latex}
\maketitle
\section{Introduction}
This is a smaple introduction section.\\
This is a second line in the introduction.\\
This is a third line.
\section{Motivation}
\end{document}

The motivation behind this tutorial is to share the knowledge for the benefit of everyone who wants to start using Latex.