latexit 0.2.0

Render LaTeX code to PNG images with transparent background (no math mode required)

latexit

Render LaTeX math formulas to PNG images from the command line, using pure Python and matplotlib's mathtext engine.

Features

• Pure Python: No system LaTeX required, cross-platform.
• CLI tool: Convert LaTeX math snippets to PNG images.
• Transparent background and customizable DPI, font size, and padding.

Limitations

• Only a subset of LaTeX math is supported (see matplotlib mathtext documentation).
• The output may not look exactly like real LaTeX (TeX/Computer Modern), but you can get close by using the Computer Modern font (see below).

Installation

Option 1 Install via pip

$ pip install latexit

Option 2 Install manually

1. Clone the repository:

$ git clone https://github.com/yourusername/latexit.git
$ cd latexit

2. Install dependencies:

pip install -r requirements.txt
# or, if using pyproject.toml:
pip install .

Usage

latexit "\\frac{1}{2}" output.png

Options:

• --dpi: Set output DPI (default: 300)
• --fontsize: Set font size (default: 24)
• --padding: Set padding in pixels (default: 10)

Example

latexit "x^2 + y^2 = z^2" pythagoras.png

License

MIT

Acknowledgments

This project was developed with guidance and code suggestions from an AI assistant Cursor (powered by OpenAI's GPT-4).