(La)TeX System on Windows

Install (La)TeX System on Windows

Actually, the TeX system install on windows is not difficult, in part, due to MikTeX that incorpolate ghostscript and some tools, presenting easy to install interface. The almost LaTeX editor for windows consider to using MikTeX and has configured ou auto configure for it.
But the large number of applications to help the TeX sistem such as graphics editor, BibTeX editor, etc require attention. This text help to install TeX sismtem and accessories near to supported by linux. The work to install depend mainlly the amount of accessories that are installed.

In way to install only the LyX in the fast way, see the LyX section.

Table of Contents

Minimum Requirements

Recomended that are using Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista or equivalent.
Several applications inclusing MikTeX, does not run on the Win9x/NT/ME that the Microsoft does not support now, and it lack apropriate update of the system. In way to help little amount of preson that are installing TeX and accessories on the win9x/NT/ME, the applications that does not run on older Windows has reamrk.

PS/PDF Viewer

In contrast of linux, the freeware for windows to view PDF file on windows are bit smaller. At now, the only one PDF viewer on windows developed to support TeX systems (considerinf commertial one too). The good news is that this viewer is open source.

SumatraPDF

site: http://blog.kowalczyk.info/software/sumatrapdf/index.html
Sumatra PDF is the light weight open sourced PDF viewer and has implemented especial features to support (La)TeX. At the moment (April of 2009), unique PDF viewer for windows that supportting SyncTeX (PDF sync). The Sumatra PDF recognize file change and reload automatically, helping the editor without PDF sync features.
Note that the Adobe Reader look the openned file, and require several workaround on the editor.
In way to configure SyncTeX (PDF sync) feature, see the form on TeXMakerX site or TeXnicCenter section, depending of your prefered editor. Note that the command line option -reuse-instanceof the sumatraPDF for "single instance" mode does not work property and the developers are trying to fix. In the case that use the PDF sync, it is not the problem because SyncTeX (PDF sync) use DDE to communicate instead of command line interface.
Remark: Sumatra PDF does not work well in the Win9x. In this case, will use Foxit Reader that does not have TeX support, but is lightweight. than the Adobe Reader. FoxIt Reader is not open source, but distributed as freeware.

Adobe Reader (new name for Acrobat Reader)

site: http://www.adobe.com/br/products/reader/
Adobe Reader are not light weight, but is official PDF reader and support all features of PDF's inclusing special effect on the PDF presentations.  If the computer is not much older, are recomended to install it, to print PDF document with more quality and controled form.
Remember that Adobe Reader are not suitable to develop document in TeX because loock opened PDF file in way to increase navegation and file access. some editor solve this problem, closing the PDF document before compile, but not all editors can return to page positioned before compilation performed. In way to help editor without ou incomplete support of Adobe Reader, the MikTeX becames to incorpolate some small tools like pdfopen, pdfclose to help the editor. The setup to use these tools are not explained here. Assume to use sumatraPDF that are suitable for TeX development and has SyncTeX (PDF sync) features. At the moment, only the sumatra PDF has SyncTeX (PDF sync) features on windows (april of 2009).
In way to install Adobe Reader, download version corresponding to Windows in use. For asian ou Central European PDF support, need additional fonts from the site
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/acrrasianfontpack.html

Ghost Script/GhostView

site: http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/
Ghost Script+GS View are used to visualizar/converter/manage documents and pictures in the format PS/EPS and PDF. In way to convert these ones to editable vector format, will use "edit->convert to vector format" from GS View, ifpstoedit are installed. using pstoedit, the format supported increase over native ones (that is "file->contert"). For TeX users, are recomended to install these tools.  Caution for install/update because these applications work only if are using vesion compatible ones.
it is rarelly user to view/print PDF document, the  Ghost script+Ghost view can print with quality bether than the Adobe Reader if has bitmaped fonts or pictures inside PDF. In contrast, the screen view are slow and low quality.
For viewing/printing/processing ps (Post Script) and pictures in ps, eps, it is indispensable tools. The MikTeX incorpolated their own ghostscript, but it is not suffices to more complex work.
Note that the ghostscript need to installed before gsview.

Note for administrator: if you wanto that gsview became configured for all users, note that the GhostView keep setuo per user, but it permit to configure for all users. Edit the file gsview32.ini on the c:\arquivos de programas\ghostgum\gsview and put lines like
[GSview-4.8]
Version=4.8
GSversion=853
GhostscriptDLL=c:\arquivos de programas\gs\gs8.53\bin\gsdll32.dll
GhostscriptInclude=c:\arquivos de programas\gs\gs8.53\Resource;c:\arquivos de programas\gs\gs8.53\lib;c:\gs\fonts
[Ghostscript]
Other=-dNOPLATFONTS -sFONTPATH="c:\psfonts"
Configured=1
where 4.8 is the version of GSView and 853 is the version of the ghostscript, thet need to adjusted according to version installed. Updating the gsview/ghostscript, need to adjust version number and the PATH.

Printing from GSView
the "mswinpr2" driver of Ghostscript for native printing on Windows use the format DIB (Device Independent bitmap) and it loss speed performance. If have apropriate driver for your printer, will configurate to use. See the site http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/doc/printer.htm for Ghostscript printer driver  description.
Teh GSView has three option for "print method":
  • Windows GDI printer: Use "mswinpr2" driver on the Ghostscript and works for all windows supported printers. Will access "printer properties" dialog. In way to change between grayscale and coor, click on the "settings".
  • Ghostscript device: Fast, but need to select apropriate printer driver. Not all printer has corresponding driver on ghostscript. The "mswinpr2" is same as "Windows DGI printer", but can not access "printer properties".
  • PostScript Printer: Best performance for Post Script printer, but works correctly only if the printer is 100% postscript compliance. Not all postscript printer are 100% compliant and almost of this cause rductin of top margin then sending directly the postscript files. In this case, need to use dedicated driver, or "Windows GDI printer".
Remark 1: In the case that ghsotcript is updated and gs view does not work correctly, enter on  options->easy configure on the GhostView and select the correct version.
Remark 2: is recomended that the old version of ghostscript are uninstalled and their folder removed,  before install new version.
Remark 3: To use GhostScript from command line, need to add on PATH of Windows. It is important to increase functionallity of inkscape such as eps/pdf import or inserting LaTeX formula via textext (the inkscape require that pstoedit is installed and added to PATH too).
In the case of Windows 2000/XP, enter on Start->Control Painel->System->Advanced->Environment variables.
Add the PATH for Ghost script on the variable PATH of system.
;c:\program files\gs\gs8.53\bin;c:\Program Files\gs\gs8.53\lib;
In the win9x/ME case, edit the autoexec.bat and add the line
path=%path%;c:\Program Files\gs\gs8.53\bin;c:\Program Files\gs\gs8.53\lib;
Win 9x/ME need to rebooted.
The PATH need to be adjusted when update the ghostscript.
Remark 4: In way to support japanese, use the version from W32TeX, on the japanese page of W32TeX. Read the instruction to instal and configure.

pstoedit (opcional)

site: http://www.pstoedit.net/
This is the converter of postscript/PDF to other vector formats. The inkscape use to import eps/pdf and/or insert LaTeX formula.

Remark 1: The user of Windows before XP/2003 need to install MSVC Run Time Library 7 that probably not installed. Download from pstoedit site and unpack to folder that pstoedit is installed.
Remark 2: The pstoedit require updated version of ghost script.

pdfcreator

site: http://sourceforge.net/projects/pdfcreator/
One of form to create PDF file from application that does not support PDF is to install Post Script printer driver and print to file (thus generate PS file) and convert it to PDF. This procedure are common before PDF writer released by Adobe. The free solution will obtained by printer redirection and ghostscript, described in  http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/redmon/en/redmon.htm, of the site GhostScript. Actually, the PDFCreator (that use ghostscript internally), give easy open source solution for PDF writer. it is easy to install and use as "PDF writer" from Adobe. The LaTeX produce hight quality PDF, but is important to have PDFCreator installed in way to produce PDF from applications that does not support PDF export. If have ghostscript 8.14 or highter installed, will uncheck the "install ghost script" on the  "other options" during PDFCreator install (not necessary). After install, need to reboot computer.
Remark: If PDFCreator warn for ghostscript, will be the error on ghostscript version detection. Open the PDFcreator ("Start->Programs->PDFcreator->PDFcreator") and on "printer->options", select the "program->ghostscript". On the "ghostscriptversion", select the correct version  (PDFCreator require 8.14 or highter).

MikTeX (required)

site: http://miktex.org/
TeX is responsible for main job for document typeset, and the MikTeX is most recomended one for Windows user.

Basic: Require about only 100MB of space on the disk and will installed fastly. Recomended for low resource computer. If are connected to the internet, or have complete file set downloaded, will install additional packages when is reuired. The Mik TeX ask for need package install. Other option is to install basic version and using package manager (start->programas->Mik TeX->Mik TeX package manager) and install required ones, but not is easy to perform. to install basic version download the basic-miktex-???.exe .
Complete: Require about 700 to 800 MB of space on the disk. If the space is not the problem, recomeded to install complete set. In this case, the install process require more time due to unpacking 700MB of the files. This package set comtain all package installed on linux/unix, plus some additional ones. download the  setup-???.exe and folows ttheir instructions. In the first run, select "download" the files. The download will be interrupted and continued in other days. The case of network problem or computer shutdown, the setup will remember last downloaded file and continue for next ones. The download require time because the file set is size of one CD. Note that the older version becames unsupported and can not install additional package from NetWork. If complete set are installed, no problem in this case bacause all required package is on disk.
When all file set are downloaded and setup exit, restart the setup and select "install". If ask for "local package repository" that will occur if installing on computer different of ones used for download, give the folder containning package file set (if not remember, use windows explorer. The folder contain very large number of files).
If asked for paper, give A4.

After install, call the yap one time (start->Program->MikTeX->DVI Viewer) and close it. By this action, some information on the yap are stored in way to help the setup of editor.

Remark 1: The default language for hiphenation is english, German and some others. if You are using other language, need to activate. Enter on "MikTex Options" ("start->programs->Mik Tex->MikTex Options") and on panel "language", check the your desired ones and click on OK.
If using \usepackage[]{babel} on the document and appear warn on the hiphenation, probably the language are not activated. In the case that are using other distribution of TeX or want to perform manually, edit the file "language.dat" from the folder "c:\Program Files\miktex 2.7\tex\generic\config" and uncomment the lines
%      
%=
that becames
      
=
and recompile tha format files.
Remark 2: Using the panel "root", will add/remove texmf tree, such as  c:\localtexmf. It is usefull to integrate other compatible TeX system or performming install on the network. When install on the server on network, recomended to set two texmf tee: one is the texmf teee os TeX on server (ex.: \\server\applications\texmf) that is read only and other is for local computer to store PK fonts and user installed packages (ex.: c:\localtexmf).
Remark 3: T update MikTeX, use the MikTeX Update Wizard (start->Programs->MikTeX->MikTeX Update Wizard) that will choice between internet and local folder (ex. pendrive).
Remark 4: If eps picture support on PDFLaTeX, active the write18 in way to permit that the (La)TeX execute external commands (it is disabled due to security). With write18 enabled, will use \usepackage{epstopdf} in the preamble of document and eps figure are converted automatically to pdf during pdflatex call.
Ro activate write18, edit the file miktex.ini on
c:\Program Files\miktex 2.7\miktex\config (or a like) and change the line linha
write18 = disable
to
write18 = enable
Remark 5: The documents are placed inside the folder "doc" of "texmf" tree (c:\Program Files\miktex 2.7). The most important ones are

  • lshort-english (or of your language) on doc\guides: Is introductin to LaTex2e
  • documents on doc\latex\help: help of LaTeX2e commands.
  • document on doc\tex-refs:  document on (La)TeX and friends.
  • files on doc\latex\compreensive: table of simbols of LaTex (more than 2500 simbols)
The document of package are stored inside of doc\generic or doc\latex, depending if package for all TeX or package specific for laTeX. some of these documents will not compiled yet. If the document is not found (for example, only readme is found), check if the folder with same name is on the "source" or "source\latex". These folder contain source file (dtx and ins) of package. Copy the files dtx and ins to temporary folder and execute the latex as
c:\temp>latex [dtx file with extension]
if have index, cross reference, etc, will need to compile several times. Note that the requirement of .dtx for latex calling is the fact that the filename without extension are assumed as .tex by latex (processing the file ins, obtain the sty file or like for the package).
The command line
texdoc 
search for documents and open it, but not all documents will opend by this.
The generic additional documents on (La)TeX in on http://www.tug.orge http://www.ctan.org/tex-archive/info/
Remark 6: The additional package that not the part of MikTeX ones, need to installed manually, using TDS (TeX Directory Structure) used on almost TeX sistems.
After install, enter on "Mik Tex Options" ("start->programs->Mik Tex-> Miktex Options") and on painel "roots", select the "texmf" that put the file and click on "raflash FNDB".
Note that the manually installed package can not removed by "Mik TeX Package Manager".
Remark 7: The TeXify implemented in MikTeX automate the repated call of latex and friends if necessary, to solve cross references (seems that contex made this kind of task, but I'm not checked). The optional parameter for TeXify open the resulting DVI or PDF on the success. See the MikTeX documents to configure your editor to use TeXify. Note that the TeXnicCenter solved problem of BibTex and MakeIndex calling internally, and use of  TeXify is not necessary. The TeXMaker has similar function called quick build that will be configured.
Remark 8: The MikTeX incorpolate tex4ht to convert LaTeX to HTML or like. some of most important commands are:
htlatex: HTML with equation as image (require imagemagick).
htmlatex: HTML with equation as MathML.
oolatex: Open Office documents with equations.
Note that the recent version of Open Office will export as LaTeX using plugins. Activating the conversion of Microsoft Equations on open documents, will used to convert MS Word document to LaTeX too )Open Office support conversion of Microsoft Equations, but no of Math Type).
Remark 9:: The MikTeX does not work on 9x/ME. If the caase, see the Ohet TeX

Configure yap

Start the yap (start->programs->MikTeX->DVI viewer)
inverse search: On "view->options: inverse search: in the "program", select the prefered editor (after editor configured). If editor is not on the list, will added by [new]. Proceeds according to your prefered editor to setup.
graphics quality: on the "view->options", in the "postscript", in "quality", select 256 color. It increase viewing speed.
printer: is not recomended to print from yap, but if want it, setup correctly on  "view->options", in the "printer" and "display", select the printer with same resolution of your ones (DPI). If not have some model, select other wit same resolution (DPI).

Remark 1: The old version of yap does not print eps picture on non postscript printer. I don't know if new one is able to do.
The yap does not support all graphics resources, but support almost ones such as \resizebox, \rotatebox, etc. The psfrag is supported only partially. One of most complete DVI viewer is DVI Out, but for person that does not need japanese support, yap becames with almost wanted features for development, because is recomended to use PDF as format to final document (dvi is used for development).
Remark 2:  yap and dvips of MikTeX support bmp, but bmp is special format of windows and their use in document loss portability to other platform that considered one of most important thinks of LaTeX documents. To use correctly, convert to eps (for dvi and ps) or  jpg (for pdflatex) that is format universally accepted by LaTeX on any platform. Remember to use compression on eps to reduce bitmap size. The sam2p or magick will used for this. If insist in use of bmp , note that if occur error on MikTeX due to bmp, add the line  \DeclareGraphicsRule{.bmp}{bmp}{}{} after \usepackage{graphicx} (and before \begin{document}). On the \includegraphics, need to specify width and height (need both).

Other TeX

There exist several TeX system differnt of MikTeX.

fpTex implements almost tools from teTex and has package set equivalent to teTex on the linux and largelly used, but the friendly package manager of MikTeX becames popular for windows user. The MikTeX increases their package set to became complete set. Actually, MikTeX are most recomened one. But if installing on older version of windows, you will need pTeX. pfTeX is web2c compliant and is easy to use alternative DVI viewer.

W32TeX is the japanese TeX, but work well on all version of windows. This distribution has most rapid bug fix and updates (for example, problem on eps figure due to bug on Adobe Ilustrator/Distiller are contorned and produce PDF that does not cause problem on bug of Acrobat Reader). It incorpolate the new tecnologies such as luaTeX and XeTeX before other distributions. Based on pTeX, permit to typeset japanese document in any version of windoss andDVI Out recomended to this, has advanced features. In way to visualize japanese DVI on non japanese windows, need some setup over fonts. For use of source specials, see their HELP. if last vesion of DVI Out is desired, seeftp://akagi.ms.u-tokyo.ac.jp/pub/TeX/dviout/test/ that contain test version. Write over stable version (test version is missing some files). Since W32TeX, does not use register, will installed on system having other TeX or put into removable media, but need caution when use two TeX system. The negative point is that the package set is not much complete. if teTex equvalent package set is wanted, need to obtain from MikTeX or  fpTeX ones and unpack to their texmf tree. other negative point is the DVI viewer (DVI Out) is bit slower due to sophistications (yap becames slower too, but). alternativelly, windvi of fpTeX will used, but windvi distributed separated of fptex does not have decent support for source specials (suport only the inverse search).

The EmTeX is the most used Tex/LaTex for DOS/Windows at long time, but it is outdated. Use it only if need to use (La)TeX on DOS or Windows 3.xx.

DVI Out and japanese fonts

To typeset japanese documents, will use TeXMaker+W32TeX and visualize the PDF document generated by dvipdfmx (not the dvipdfm) from DVI. At now, pdflatex does not support japanese directly (to use PDFL:aTeX on japanese document, need auxiliar converter descrived in W32TeX's site). If want to use "source specials", will configure DVI Out for japanese DVI.
To DVI Out display japanese DVI on non japanese windows, need the japanese fonts msgothic.ttf/msmincho.ttf or msgothic.ttc/msmincho.ttc (instalable from asian support from Windows install CD). The font will found onhttp://ftp.monash.edu.au/pub/nihongo/00INDEX.html
If install from Windows CD, is ttc. Now, enter on command line as administrator and execute the ttindex from dviout folder.
c:\Program Files\dviout>ttindex c:\windows\msmincho.ttc
c:\Program Files\dviout>ttindex c:\windows\msgothic.ttc
If using ttf,
c:\Program Files\dviout>ttindex c:\windows\msmincho.ttf
c:\Program Files\dviout>ttindex c:\windows\msgothic.ttf
Create the configuration file fontjp.vfn.  Copy the dvioute.vfn from utility subfolder and enable gothic and disable cmr10 (if bakoma font not installed).

The fontjp.vfn see like this (non comment part)

%version = 2
%vfont_list
  1,            ^w\fonts\msmincho,           1000, 1000,   0
  2,            ^w\fonts\msgothic,           1000, 1000,   0
#  3,            ^w\fonts\msmincho,           1000, 1000,   0
#  4,            ^w\fonts\msgothic,           1000, 1000,   0
  5,        "cmr10"
%jfm_list
#  name    No. flat   sw    yfat    novec  f_goth  rot
#--------+----+--+--+----+--------+-------+------+-----
 min,      1,  a, a, n40, 100;0;0,      ,     ,     0
 goth,     2,  a, a, n40, 100;0;0,      ,    1,     0
 tmin,     1,  a, a, n40, 100;0;0,      ,     ,     1
 tgoth,    2,  a, a, n40, 100;0;0,      ,    1,     1
 default,  1,  a, b, n,     0;0;0,      ,    1,     0
 tdefault, 1,  a, b, n,     0;0;0,      ,    1,     1
# Europian Language TrueType font
  edefault, 5,  a, a, n,     0;0;0,      ,     1,    0

  On the setup panel of DVI Out, in the [jfont2], select fontjp.vfn as setup file. If editing the dviout setup file dviout.par, insert the line
vfn=^x\dvioute.vfn    # cannot use ^r

Note that the DVI Out save setup performed by GUI to register instead of file dviout.par. If perform setup editing the file dviout.par, DVI Out became protable.
See the example included in DVI Out as start point.

LaTeX Editor

There exists several open sourced LaTeX editor, each with specific features or negative point. Actually, the TeX support officially the uft8 coding, by \usepackage[utf8]{inputenc} on the preamble of documents. But, several LaTeX editor for windows omit utf8 support. The TeXMaker presented here has utf8 and several others codding support, but the TeXnicCenter does not.
The character with accent directly from keyboard input depends on the codding used. The TeX on linux use utf8 nativelly (when compiling on linux, the \usepackage[utf8]{inputenc} are not necessary on preamble) to prevent problem and support several languages as unified form (not only the accentuated character used in portugeuse ). In the contrast, almost of Windows user in Bazil use latin1 (iso-8859-1) that is the codding used nativelly on portuguese version of windows. This is the major cause of problem of portability of (La)TeX doement between windows and linux in Brazil. If have similar problem and hope to eliminate problem, need to use accent by TeX command instead of keyboard input. (except for LyX that store in unicode and convert to apropriate codding when compile).

LyX

site: http://www.lyx.org/
LyX is the WYSIWYG (What You See is What You Get)  style LaTeX editorthat use LaTeX to process documents, in similar way to Scientific Work Place (comercial) for windows, TeXMacs (freeware) for Linux (run on windows using cygwin) and edoc (freeware - cross platform). edoc seems good editor, but it doen not have apropriate support for equations. TeXmacs is not light weight, but is usefull to produce scientific report due to CAS (Computer Algebvra Sistem) integration like MathCAD (comercial) for windows. The Scientific Work Place (comercial) has similar support, but the LyX skip almost of these features and becames most light weight and effcient ones to edit document (comparation include comercial ones).
These kind of applications are not the "front end". The user does not necessary to know laTex comand. The text will edited as text editor and the mathematical equations, indec entry, cross reference, etc will created using menu and tools bar. But due to LaTeX command support on LyX and TeXMacs, permit to input LaTeX sequence of command inside formula that are interpreted and converted automatically to corresponding equations. Thus, is not necessary to use mouse, increasing significantly the typeset speed (who does not know LaTeX, will thing that use of mouse is easy form, but direct typping of  LaTeX command is much faster than use of mouse -- seems that the sequence of command on Scientific Work Place to produce equations are not same of the LaTeX ones. It is problematic for users). Due to these, the document editing on document with mathematical formula on LyX and TeXMacs are too fast as source code editing. To support more advanced user,  the LyX permit to insert LaTeX command block directly into document. Thus will use user defined command, or command that are not suported by LyX user interface, or that the user does not know how to perform on LyX..
The interface of LyX is similar to the comercial editor Scientific Work Place for Windows, but LyX is lightweight and integrate very well with LaTeX. Due to friendly interface, will produce hight quality document without or with small bit of LaTeX knowledge. Learnning more laTeX commands, increase typeset speed. In general, the medium knowledge on LaTeX will typeset more fast than basic knowledge ones. Thus, is recomended to study LaTeX  in way to increase document typeseting. The most significant diference is typeset of formula that keyboard is much faster than mouse click. The LaTeX source code exported by LyX is very celan. It was good LaTeX file import features too.
When some eror occur on compile time (if insert mistake command manually, will occur error when visualize/update DVI, PS or PDF), the error are marked using one icone on corresponding positin and the navegation tools will search these errors. When clicked on these icon, the LaTeX error are showed.
The Windows version of installer download/install all required tools, except the PS and  PDF viewer. Is recomended to install PS/PDF viewer before LyX. Note that Adobe Reader lock opened file, LyX can not update PDF file. To solve this problem, use sumatra PDF. For the install on system without network connection, the "bundle" version of installer contain all accessories except the MikTeX.  Note that the MikTeX that LyX install is Basic set. I think that almost ones want to use complete set. Of the case, install MikYeX before LyX to skip MikTeX install no LyX installer.
The very complete user manual and guide are on the help and is recomended to read.

When the setup of accesories like viewer, TeX, etc, is changed, the "tools->reconfigure" perform automatic setup (need to run for each user. If desire to applied for all user, reinstall LyX).

the spell checker: The "word list" will selected to be downloaded/installed during intall process. The spell checker is started by F7 or by menu "tools->spellchecker". The check start on the cursor position. If occur error saying that can not read the word for langage xxx", instead of check start, the corresponding one are not installed.
To add more "dictionary" (word list) that are not installed during LyX install, run the installer again and on "Reinstall", uncheck the "reinstall lyx 1.6.2-1 program files" and on the dictionary, specify your desired ones to be installed.
For brazilian, note that the portuguese word list has not the new grammar rule at now (April of 2009). In contrast of TeXMaker and TeXnicCenter, LyX does not accept spell check dictionary from Open Office ones. Thus, need to wait for someboy compile new one for aspell (used by LyX).
On 2.0, the dictionary list of Open Office 2.0 are supported and spell check in real time will be activated.
In way to activate real time spell checking, enter on "tools->settings" and on [language settings]->[spell checking], check the "spellcheck continuously".

the instant preview
The LaTeX code inserted such as picture using LaTeX packages will compiled and displayed for previsualization inset called "instant preview inset". To activate, enter on "tools->preferences" aon on the  [display], "instant preview", select  "no math" ("on" actiave instant preview on math formula too).
On the LaTeX code inset or like, click on right button of mouse and select"wrap by preview". Other way to create "instant preview" over the selected portion of document is to use "insert->preview" from the menu.

some notes on mathematical formula: The Lyx and TexMacs insert pair  {} uutomatically when are typping commands. Thus, x^12 are converted correctly as  x^{12}, but x^2_i are converted as x^{2_{i}}. When require that isx^2_i, need to type x^2_i that are converted correctly to x^{2}_{i}. The similar fact will occur on other sequence of commands.
The mathematic inline stype is created by M and in the display style is created by M.  After LaTeX command is typed, press in way to LyX interpret it. The square root is \sqrt, but the n-th root  is inserted by  \root, exclusive of LyX (does not exist command \root on LaTeX). In the LaTeX, n-th root is inserted using optional parameter on \sqrt, but the optional parameter inside formula can not typed on LyX. Thus the virtual command \root is created.
If press inside display formula, it is converted to eqnarray instead of align of AMS package that is recomended. To control it, use the menu "Edit->Math->Change Formula Type". Once the formula is converted apropriatelly,  will used to create new line on equations. Note that is possible to create LaTeX macro suing mini buffer instead on preamble. The command created by mini buffer is interpreted to display correctly inside LyX. Teh command defined on preamble is displayed correctly only on DVI/PS or PDF output (inside LyX, the command are shown, not the result). This and other information is on the "help->user guide".

some notes on use of CAS (Computer Algebra System): The LyX will call Octave, Maxima, Mathematica (comercial), or some Maple (comercial) commands to perform calculation of formula, if corresponding ones are installed. To this, type matematical formula and cursor positioned at end of this, enter on "Edit->Math->use Computer Algebra System" and select the desired system to use. The LyX call selected system and on success, put the result as formula. Note that the octave is used for numerical calculus and maxima for symbolic calculus (such as symbolic inttegration). In way to work, the formula need to typed using correct laTeX commands, inclusing function name. When the formula is changed, need to recalculate.

Remark 1: The defualt mode for document is "use AMS package automatically" (LaTeX format file is compiled to load AMS package automatically). Are recomended to select "use AMS package", because almos LaTeX does not load AMS package automatically. is is valid when import laTeX document with AMS package. enter on the option "Document->settings" and on "math package", uncheck the "use AMS package automatically" and check the "use AMS package".
The user with knowledge of LaTeX will put several \usepackage command and definitions on the preamble of documents.
Remark 2: The LyX does not run on Win9x. There exist older version that works, but is not easy to configure and not is powerfull as we desire.
Remark 3: The compiler and viewer option will be adjusted by "tools->preferences". On the [file handling], the "converters" list the convertesr (and compilers) and "file formats" list the viewers. these setup will changed is desired.

Remark 5: In way to edito japanese document on LyX using  W32TeX, is necessary to install the additional support file for babel, dsitributed by  http://wiki.lyx.org/Windows/Japanese (does not use hyphenation in japanese, but LyX insist in use to compile). Unpack the file japanese.zip and put the file japanese.ins and  japanese.dtx on the subfolder "share\texmf\tex\latex\japanese" on the pTeX (W32TeX) install. In the case that pTeX is on c:\ptex, the PATH to put files is
C:\pTeX\share\texmf\tex\latex\japanese
Now, go to command line prompt and change to above folder, and call platex to compile japanese.ins
C:\pTeX\share\texmf\tex\latex\japanese>platex japanese.ins
Now, change to folder bin of pTeX (W32TeX) and execute the texhash
C:\pTeX\bin>texhash
DVI out, ghost script, etc need to be configured with japanese support. See the site http://wiki.lyx.org/Windows/Japanese for detail.

TeXMaker/TeXMakerX

TeXMaker's site: http://www.xm1math.net/texmaker/
TeXMakerX's site: http://texmakerx.sourceforge.net/
The TeXmaker is cross platform LaTeX editor that originated famous LaTeX editor kile used on Linux system.  The GUI like as kile, but is lightweight and very stable. running on  linux, windows, and MacOSX. It support several encodding, inclusing japanese ones. Will use utf8 to compatinilize document between several platform. In way to use inverse search/forward search, need to configure TeXMaker and the yap manually. Are recomended to configure PDF viewer as sumatraPDF. The TeXmaker does not support PDF sync yet.
The 1.9 changed their GUI design and added inline spell checking. The 2.0 added embeeded PDF viewer and 2.1 becames with syncTeX support to sincronize editor and embeeeded PDF viewer.
The TeXMakerX is extended version of TeXMaker that has same GUI (relative to same version number), but more featured. Thus, it is recomended than original TeXmaker ones. On Windows, it detect MikTeX automatically and support DDE (required to SyncTeX). In this document, explain over TeXMaker setup, but the setup of the TeXMakerX is same.

The spell checker: The word list used for spell checking on TeXMaker is same of the Open Office available on the site  http://lingucomponent.openoffice.org/. Following the link, the brazilian portuguese is onhttp://www.broffice.org/verortografico/baixar). Download the "VERO -- Verificador ortográfico", unpack and copy the files " pt_BR.dic" and "pt_BR.aff" to TeXmaker's folder (c:\Program Files\texmaker). Now, enter on "Options->Configure TeXMaker" and on the "spelling dictionary", select the added dictionary using file browse  (If not super user, will place dictionary on the your folder). For other language, the process is similar.

TeXMaker/TeXMakerX setup for source specials and syncTeX (forward/inverse search)
Note that the path separator inside TeXmaker is the "/" and is not the "\". The setup of TeXMaker for forward search becames like as follows.
LaTeX: latex --src --synctex=-1 -interaction=nonstopmode %.texPDFLaTeX: pdflatex --synctex=-1 -interaction=nonstopmode %.tex
dvips: dvips -o %.ps %.dvi
Bibtex: bibtex %
Makeindex: makeindex %.idx
Dvi Viewer (TeXMaker case): "C:/Program Files/MikTeX 2.7/miktex/bin/yap.exe" -1 -s @%.tex %.dviDvi Viewer (TeXMakerX case): "C:/Program Files/MikTeX 2.7/miktex/bin/yap.exe" -1 -s @?c:m.tex %.dvi
PS Viewer: "C:/Program Files/Ghostgum/gsview/gsview32.exe" -e %.ps
Pdflatex: pdflatex -interaction=nonstopmode %.tex
Dvipdfm: dvipdfm %.dvi
Pdf Viewer (x)Embeeded viewer ( )External viewer: "C:/Program Files/sumatrapdf/sumatrapdf.exe" -reuse-instance %.pdf
metapost: mpost --interaction nonstopmode
ghostscript: "C:/Program Files/gs/gs8.63/bin/gswin32c.exe"

TeXMaker's Embeeded PDF viewer
Since TeXMaker 2.1, the embeeded PDF viewer support syncTeX (click on right button over PDF for inverse search). For printing or like, click on "external viewer" on  right upper corner on embeeded PDF viewer. Will select external viewer as default PDF viewer, but TexMaker does not ahve DDE and sync with sumatrapdf using syncTeX does not wok as desired.
In way to use Adobe Reader instead on sumatraPDF, need to put
Pdf Viewer: "C:/Program Files/Adobe/Reader 8.0/Reader/AcroRd32.exe" %.pdfbut remember that the TeXMaker casn not close document on Adobe Reader because DDE communication need to this is not implemented. Thus, recommened o keep embeeded PDF viewer as default.

yap setup for inverse search:
On the yap, enter on "view->Options"and on [inverse search] tab, click on the button [new] to create new editor setup.
On "TeX editor",
Name: TeXMaker (or TeXMakerX)
Specify the program you want to use to edit tex sources: C:\Program Files\Texmaker\texmaker.exe
Specify the program arguments: "%f" -line %l
In this way, the option for TeXmaker is created as
Command line (TeXMaker case): C:\Program Files\Texmaker\texmaker.exe "%f%" -line %lCommand line (TeXMakerX case): C:\Program Files\Texmakerx\texmakerx.exe "%f%" -line %l
Obs.: Only difference between TeXMaker and TeXMakerX is the program path.
.
TeXMakerX setup for syncTeX (forward/inverse search for PDF):
Change command line options for sumatrapdf as
Pdf Viewer: "C:/Program Files/sumatrapdf/sumatrapdf.exe" -reuse-instance -inverse-search """C:\Program Files\Texmakerx\texmakerx.exe""" """%%f""" -line %%l" "?am.pdf"

The SyncTeX (PDFsync) does not works between TeXMaker and sumataPDF because TeXmaker does not ahve DDE commmunication implemented. Thus, use embeeded viewer for it on TeXMaker 2.1 or newer.  If desire to use sumatraPDF ith syncTeX, use TeXmakerX instead. To setup SyncTeX (PDF sync), see the form on the site of TeXMakerX.

In way to use Adobe Reader with forward search, need to use hyperref. See
http://texmakerx.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/texmakerx/trunk/utilities/usermanual_en.html#SECTION37
for detail. Note that this trick does not solve inverse seach. Thus, Adobe Reader is not apopriate to use as PDF viewer on (La)TeX editors.

TeXnicCenter

site: http://www.texniccenter.org/
it is probably the most popular free LaTeX editor for Windows. Before TeXMaker became cross platform, TeXnicCenter has one of most important competitor of WinEdt (comercial). Note that the LyX is not cross platform at this time. The TeXNicCenter support SyncTeX (PDF sync) when use sumatraPDF as PDF viewer.
On the first run, the TeXNicCenter enter on setup "wizard" that in most case, only need to go [next], but the newer MikTeX version will not detected automatically. In this case, need to indicate  the folder containning "latex.exe" and like. The MikTeX ones is on "c:\Program Files\miktex 2.7\miktex\bin" or like.
Now, test the TeXnicCenter, editing some file and compilling. Is need to save file before compile, indicating explicit ".tex" extension when give the file name. The compile button stay on right or select of "output profile" (default is "LaTeX=>DVI"). The button has design of one arrow down over stack of papers. To view resulting DVI file, use "lupe" button. The circle on DVI showed on yap is the porsition near of TeXnicCenter cursor position. The feature that found position corresponding to editor cursor is denominated of the "forward search". Now, check the setup of "inverse search" on YAP. When double click on some text on DVI, yap set the cursosr position on TeXnicCenter, near to corresponding source code. It if called the "inverse search".  If it is not working or does not know, Enter on "view->options" on yap and on "inverse search", on "program", select the "TeXnicCenter". If the TeXnicCenter is not on the list, probably TeXnicCenter is not configured correctly to use yap.
Now test the other output format like "LaTeX=>PS" and "LaTeX=>PDF" on the  "output" of TeXnicCenter. If one or other option does not work, verify if the MikTeX, Ghostscript+GSView, and sumatraPDF is working correctly. In the case of problem, the [wizard] button on "Build->define output profiles" on TeXnicCenter permit to reconfigure again.

Additional dictionary file for TeXnicCenter
The TeXnicCenter use same dictionary file of Open Office distributed from http://lingucomponent.openoffice.org/ to perform spell checking. (Following the link, the brazilian ones is on the http://www.broffice.org/verortografico/baixar). In the brazilian case, download the file on "VERO -- Verificador ortográfico" and copy the files "pt_BR.dic" and "pt_BR.aff" to the subfolder "language" of TeXnicCenter, normally is "c:\Program Files\texniccenter\language". Now, on the TeXnicCenter, enter on "tools->options",  and in the painel "spelling":
language: pt
dialect: BR
Check the all options on "options for spelling".
For other language, the process is similar. To change between dictionary, enter on "tools->options" and select the desired on on the "spelling".
The TeXnicCenter mark miss spelling word by red underline, and will replaced by their sugestions using right click of mouse over the word.

Adjusting the output profiles manually
The "output profiles" is the rule to compile and will be configured, using "Build->Build pofiles".
When run the texniccenter at first time, perform automatic setup ("wizard") and will reconfigured by "wizard" button on "build->define output profiles". But will want to perform some change on default "output profiles", or solve manually when the mistake of setup occur. The most common case of setup mistake are: forget to run/close yap before TeXnicCenter stup, using PCTeX or othet TeX and yap is not default DVI viewer, sumatraPDF or Adobe Reader not installed, etc. In this case, setup yap as defualt DVI viewer, install sumatraPDF, etc and run the "wizard" on "build->define outpuit profiles".
If the problem persist or want to refine rule or add new rule, need to perform manuall setup by "build->define output profiles".

setup of TeXnicCenter with SyncTeX (PDF sync)In way to syncronize PDF viewer and TeXnicCenter as in forward serach/inverse search of yap, TeXnicCenter and sumatraPDF support PDF sync features. To use, the setup need to performed manually.
In the case of latex/pdflatex has direct support of PDF sync as recent version of MikTeX, put the parameter "--synctex=-1" ("-synctex=-1") on the latex/pdflatex call in way to compiled as PDF sync. If use "--synctex=1" ( or "-synctex=1"), i.e., "1" instead of "-1", the information file generated by synctex is compressed by gzip to reduce size.

On the "LaTeX=>PDF", painel "(La)TeX", add the parameter for pdfsync.
Command line arguments to pass to the compiler: --synctex=-1 --src -interaction=nonstopmode "%Wm"Note that the TeXnicCenter original setup will became with "%bm" instead of "%Wm". If not "%Wm" forward search will not work correctly.

To setup forward search using SyncTeX (PDF sync), setup on "LaTeX=>PDF", on the panel "viewer", as
Path of executable: c:\Program Files\sumatraPDF\Sumatrapdf.exe
View project's output: [v] DDE command
Command: [Open("%bm.pdf",0,1,1)]
Server: SUMATRA
Topic: control
Forward search: [v] DDE command
Command: [ForwardSearch("%bm.pdf","%nc",%l,0)]
Server: SUMATRA
Topic: control
Close document before running (La)TeX: [v] Do not close.
Make same change on TeX=>PS=>PDF to have PDF sync support on this profile too.
Remark: In the case of older TeX that does not have direct support for pdfsync, need to set \usepackage{pdfsync} on the document preamble.

Inverse search setup on the sumatraPDFIn way to sumatraPDF recognize editor in use, need to run, passing apropriate parameter to it. On the TeXnicCenter case, run the followings on the command line
"C:\Program Files\sumatrapdf\SumatraPDF.exe" -inverse-search "\"C:\Program Files\TeXnicCenter\TEXCNTR.EXE\" /ddecmd \"[goto('%f', '%l')]\""
The sumatraPDF store this options to use for inverse search. In the case that are using more than one editor with SyncTeX (PDF sync), need to put these options on the sumatraPDF call inside editor options.
In the TeXNicCenter case, on on "LaTeX=>PDF", on the panel "viewer", as
Path of executable: "C:\Program Files\sumatrapdf\SumatraPDF.exe" -inverse-search "\"C:\Program Files\TeXnicCenter\TEXCNTR.EXE\" /ddecmd \"[goto('%f', '%l')]\""
instead of only the path of sumatraPDF.

GSView setup as single instance
The GSView works as multiple instance as default. It signify that the each run of GSView open the new windows. In way to keep only one windows (single instance), need to put the option "-e" on the call.
On the LaTeX=>PS, select the panel "viewer" and add the "-e " option
command: -e  "%bm.ps"
Both on "view  project's output" and on "forward search".

Solving miktex/yap setup error.
On the "LaTeX=>DVI", on the painel
[LaTeX]
Path to the LaTeX compiler: C:\Program Files\MiKTeX 2.7\miktex\bin\latex.exe
Command line arguments to pass to the compiler: --src  -interaction=nonstopmode "%Wm"
[Viewer]
Path to the executable: C:\Program Files\Miktex 2.7\miktex\bin\yap.exe
View project's output: [v]Command line argument
Command: -1 "%bm.dvi"
Forward search: [v]Command line argument
Command: -1 -s %l"%Wc" "%bm.dvi" 
Close document before running (La)TeX: [v]Do not closeIf want to convert resulting DVI to PDF and perform PDF sync, need to add the option "-synctex=-1" on the "command line arguments ..." to generate files required to PDFsync.

On the yap, enter on view->Options and go to tab [inverse search].
If the TeXnicCenter does not appear as option to select, click on the button [new] in way to create new editor setup.
On TeX editor,
Name: TeXNicCenter
Specify the program you wnat to use to edit tex sources: C:\Arquivos de Programas\TeXnicCenter\TEXCNTR.EXE
Specify the program arguments: /ddecmd "[goto('%f', '%l')]"
It create the editor option for TeXNicCenter as
Command line: "C:\Program Files\Latex\TeXnicCenter\TEXCNTR.EXE" /ddecmd "[goto('%f', '%l')]"

sumatraPDF without SyncTeX (PDF sync)
If want to use sumatraPDF without PDF sync, set as
On the "LaTeX=>PDF", on the painel "viewer":
path for executable: c:\Program Files\sumatrapdf\sumatrapdf.exe
view project's output:  [v] command line
command line argument: -reuse-instance "%bm.pdf"
forward search: [v] Command line
command line argument: "%bm.pdf" 

solving Adobe Reader setup error
When the some Adobe product is default PDF viewer, TeXnicCenter assume that is using Acrobat Reader. If using Adobe Acrobat (comercial that support PDF editing), can not close automatically the document to perform compilation. Install the Adobe Reader (free one) in parallel and on "build->define output profiles", on "LaTeX=>PDF", on the painel "viewer":
path for executable: c:\Program Files\adobe\acrobat 8.0\reader\acrord32.exe
view project's output:  [v] DDE command.
command: [DocOpen("%bm.pdf")][FileOpen("%bm.pdf")]
server: acroview
topic: control
forward search: [v] DDE command.
command: [DocOpen("%bm.pdf")][FileOpen("%bm.pdf")]
server: acroview
topic: control
Close document before running (La)TeX: [v] DDE command
command: [DocClose("%bm.pdf")]
server: acroview
topic: control
the PATH for Adobe Reader depend of the your version. The name of Adobe Acrobat is acrobat.exe, but need to test if will used for PDF viewer in this case. Note that the Adobe Reader does not have the LaTeX support as auto reload, PDFsync, etc. Thus, recomended to use sumatraPDF as viewer on LaTeX editor. See TeXnicCenter with  PDF sync.

Enable/disable BibTeX and MakeIndx run
On the LaTeX=>DVI, LaTeX=>PS, and LaTeX=>PDF, will enable/disable the use of BibTeX and makeIndex on the painel "LaTeX".
Remark: "Stop compilation if (La)TeX error occur" is checked, stop on first error encoutered.

Adding more "profiles"

Will add more "profiles" for compile/convert manually. Note that to use of PDFsync in final PDF require "-synctex=-1" option on latex/pdflatex call that generate original DVI/PDF.

TeX=>DVI
Select the LaTeX=>DVI
click on copy
On "profiles name", set as "TeX=>DVI"
Select the "TeX=>DVI".
On (La)TeX, "path to the (La)TeX compiler", change the "latex.exe" to "tex.exe"
Disable the BibTeX and MakeIndex (important).
AMSTeX=>DVI
Select the LaTeX=>DVI
click on copy
On "profiles name", set as "AMSTeX=>DVI"
Select "AMSTeX=>DVI".
On (La)TeX, "path to the (La)TeX compiler", change the "latex.exe" to "amstex.exe"
Disable the BibTeX and MakeIndex (important).
DVI=>PS
Copy the LaTeX=>PS and remove check on "run (La)TeX on ...".
Disable MakeIndex and BiBTex
DVIPDFM
Copy the LaTeX=>PDF
disable the LaTeX, MakeIndex, BiBTeX
On the "post processor", click on "new item" button.
Put "dvipdfm" in the field on the list.
Copythe parameters from "post processor" of LaTeX=>PS and change the executable from dvips.exe to dvipdfm.exe:
executable: c:\Program Files\Miktex 2.7\miktex\bin\dvipdfm.exe
arguments: "%Bm.dvi"
PS2PDF
Copy the LaTeX=>PDF
disable the LaTeX, MakeIndex, BiBTeX
On the "post processor", click on the "new item" button.
Put "ps2pdf" in the field on the list.
Copy the parameters from "post processor" on LaTeX=>PS and change the executable field and arguments.
executable: c:\Program Files\gs\gs8.00\bin\gswin32c.exe
arguments: -dBATCH -dNOPAUSE -sDEVICE=pdfwrite -sOutputFile="%Bm.pdf" -c save pop -f "%Mb.ps"
MakeIndx and BiBTeX
If want to disable from LaTeX, PDFLaTeX, etc and use as separated ones, copy the LaTeX=>DVI and disable the LaTeX, unchecking the "run (La)TeX ..."
Outras ferramentas
If want to use some other tools like LaTeX2html, Tex4ht, LaTeX2rtf, etc, perform as above examples.

When the main "output profile" (LaTeX=>DVI, LaTeX=>PS, e LaTeX=>PDF) damaged, will restore using button "wizard" on the "build->define output profiles", that stay on the botton side of window, used to reconfigure TeXnicCenter. The "profiles" added by user keep unchanged.

Some tips on TeXnicCenter

  • the left side of windows is the "navegator bar" of the opened project that will be enabled/disabled, clicking on "toggle navegator bar".
  • The botton side of windows is the message of (La)TeX and friends. Will enable/disable clicking on "toagle output bar" (when compile, it is acitivated automatically. Thus will disable when typing document to enlarge text area).
  • The first icon on right of "LaTeX=>DVI" or like (double down arow on the paper stack) is to compile the project (document divided in part, for example). to compile only the current opened document, use the seccond ones (single down arrow on the stack of paper). if compile not stop, will force stop, clicking on "stop build" (stay on side of Build).
  • when have more than one file opened, the "tab" used to change file, are placed in down side , not in the upper side.
  • "Banners" (bookmark) is used to masrk position on the document. Before mark position, will go to other place of document to view/copu code and return imediately. Recomend to test and learn the use (feature common for programer editor). The other feature like this is the "goto last change". These kind of features help when need to view/copy other part of same documents.
  • lear the use of tools bar to insert simbols, lists, etc. Trye the menu of format, math, and insert. The features of menu "math" is similar to button on math tools bar. when the panel of some set of symbols are activated, it appear as floating mode. In way to put on "tools bar", drag to apropriate position, but caution to prevent set upper side of menu (to keep standard, put menua on top of windows). When double click on the floating tools bar, the TeXnicCenter put automatically on the tools bar. If is not the desiered palce, double click change to floating mode and will placed manually. The other part of "tools bar" will changed too, but caution to keep organized. If using large screen, will place part side by side to reduce the number of lines on the tools bar.
  • The "save all" icon is usefull when editiong several file at same time, usch as project divided in parts.
  • Button for error search:
    "->!" and "!<-" next and preview error.
    "->?" and "?<-" next and preview warnning.
    "->[!]" and "[!]<-" next and preview bad box.
  • When add/remove package (\usepackage{}) from the document, such as babel and hyperref, will result in compile error due to incoerent ".aux" file. In this case, delete the ".aux" file and recompile. If are using projects, will clean all uaxiliar files by "build->clean project".
  • When several package are used at same time, will occur error inside package file and TeXnicCenter will open when use error search. If suspect that file are not you, verify the file name. If not you, close (without saving), in way to prevent package damage.
  • context help: Set the cursor position to desired word and press F1 (on several Windows applications, context help is F1, but TeXnicCenter use F1). If corresponding word is on help, it is displayed.
  • The help of TeXnicCenter contain the LaTeXhelpBook (http://www.ctan.org/tex-archive/info/LatexHelpBook/). See the "help->contents" of TeXnicCenter and check the quantity of ther information.
  • In way to increase performance of forward search/inverse search, break line in parts (pressing ENTER), instead of TeXnicCenter "virtual line breaking" that keep as single line on the file.

Project file of TeXnicCenter

The project file is used to store additional information to increase features, commonly used when document is divided in parts or is very large.
To create new project, use "file->new project" and set the path and file name of project. The BibTeX and makeIndex will enabled/disabled by each project, independent of default profile setup on "build". when the project file name is given, the TeXnicCenter add on the given path to create new folder. If desire to prevent creation of new folder, set project path after file name. Click on the "empty project" and click in "OK". The TeXnicCenter make TeX file with same name of projeto file. The setup of opened projet is perfomed by "project->properties". The "main files" is the Tex file that is compiled. Note that the BibTeX and MakeIndx will be enabled/disabled using this. The "project->open main file" open the "main file" for edit. When the project file is opened, two compile button is activated: "build output" to compile the project (main file) and the "build current file" to compile only the document on active window. But the 'lupe" open the result of project (main file). Caution for this beahavior. To prevent confusion, when are not using project, clolse using "file->close projetc" and the complier/viewer return to works relative to current file.
When the project file are used, the navegation panel for document is activated in the left side, if "toagle navegator bar" is on. thus, the case of large file (not necessary splited in part), is recomended to use project, due to navegation support. Note that the navegation panel permit to insert label corresponding to navegation item,  using right button of mouse. If file is splited, will open any file included on "main file" by \include{} or \input{}. Try the power of these navegation panel and will discover that the use of project file is nice. The navegation features on TeXMaker are allowed for all files, but TeXNicCenter allows only for files with projects. Thus, several TeXnicCenter users unkwon the existence of this features.

Remark 1: When the TeXnicCenter is started, appear "tips of day". If does not desire this, uncheck the "show tips on stast up" and on "close".
Remark 3: On the windows 9x/NT (before 2000/ME/XP/2003), will occur the error  "xxx.DLL not dound" when TexNicCenter started. In this case, run the  TxcSystemUpdate.exe downloadable from TeXnicCenter site to install required DLL's. The TxcSystemUpdate.exe does not works from read only media such as CD/DVD. If help does not works (activated by F1), install the hhelpinst.exe. It is not necessary if have Internet Explorer >= 4.0 that is tha case except the very older Windows.

TeXWorks (no stable edition yet)

site: http://www.tug.org/texworks/The PDF sync support outside of MacOSX is not tribial. On the windows, it becames posible only due to sumatraPDF on 2008 and on the linux, no decent support exists (in 2009). The lack of PDF sync is one of most cause that the LaTeX user keep using DVI file that hope to say good bye. In 2008, the TeXWorks project is started to implement open source cross platform environment with editor and integrated PDF viewer syncronized by PDF sync. The test version is on the development site.

Other editors

for very older computer, WinTeXShell is recomended. For example, basic MikTeX or W32TeX with WinTeXShell substitute the PCTeX32 (comercial). It integrate with ispell (need to installed and configured). Remember to save document before spell check, because any communication erro lock the WinTeXShell. The WinTeXShell is light weight, but is not much featured.
Other recomended editor is the WinShell that used largelly by japanese due to japanese editing support. It is distributed freelly, but is not the open source software. The WinShell support PDFsync and spell checker in real time (when typping), using dictionary of Open Office ones.
The initially version of TeXMaker have support to shift jis (japanese encodding of windows), but lost these support on non-japanese windows when changed Qt3 to Qt4. The actual version of W32TeX becames with uptex/uplatex with unicode support, but for arleady edited documents, need the WinShell or ntemacs. Emacs is classical profissional editor with support for programming language and similar, inlcusing the LaTeX, supporting almost encoddings. Initially, it is only laTeX editor with japanese support on non asiatic windows.
WinTeXShell: http://www.projectory.de/texshell/
WinShell: http://www.winshell.de/
NTEmacs: http://ntemacs.sourceforge.net/

Graphics Editor and Viewer

Install the your prefered graphics editor and viewer.

InkScape (recomended)

site: http://www.inkscape.org/
site of textext: http://www.elisanet.fi/ptvirtan/software/textext/index.html
inkscape is vector based graphics editor suitable to create illustrations, as Corel Draw (comercial) or Adobe Illustrator (comercial). It is light weight and easy to use. The recent version permit to insert LaTeX formula inside picture using additional plugin. The caution need to create eps/pdf is the fact that the postscript does not allow transparence and several realted effect loss during saving as eps/pdf. The manual is on help system and not necessary to search on the internet.When save as PDF, the paper size does not mach with "bounding box" defined when export eps to cut picture in correct size. Save as eps and convert to pdf using epstopdf command or adjust the paper size to picture before save as PDF. In way to adjust paper size to picture, select all (A) and on "file->document propries", in "custom size", click on [fit page to selection].
In way to insert LaTeX formula in the picture, istall the textext distributed from http://pav.iki.fi/software/textext/index.html.
To install offline (without network connection), the "necessary library files from pyGTK" that site mension, need to stay on same folder as textext installer. If have network connection, installer download and install it automatically. The textext works only if ghostscript and pstoedit are installed, and MikTeX is working (or other TeX with pdflatex). The LaTeX formula is inserted or edited by "effects->tex text". Does not confuse with "effects->render->latex formula" that can not change (insert only).
The formula inserted directly inside picture does not act same as psfrag one. The directly inserted formula will became size different of the text when resize picture, but of psfrag keep consistent because formula are inserted during LaTeX compile time. To use psfrag, do not forget to uncheck the option "convert texts to path" when save as eps.
Remark 1: The recent version of inkscape does not run on Win9x/ME. The user of older version of windows are encoraged to use dia instead of inkscape.

Dia

site: http://projects.gnome.org/dia/
is the diagram editor as Microsoft Visio (comercial). The diagram use several piece and special path and if use editor apropriate for this, will make it in fast way. In the case of illustrations, use the inkscape.

GIMP

site: http://www.gimp.org/
The image editor as Adobe Photoshop (comercial) or Corel Photo Paint (comercial). The "GIMP Help" is like manual, but distributed separated due to theri size.

Irfan View e XnView

Irfan View: http://www.irfanview.com/
XnView: http://www.xnview.com/
Irfan View and XnView are free (not is the open source) image viewer/converter for windows that permit some image adjustment. Irfan View became most popular. Note that the pdflatex support jpeg and png when compile to PDF.

Graphics Editor Specialized for LaTeX

The graphics editor specializad for LaTeX will save picture as LaTeX with some graphics package, instead of eps/pdf. It keep perfect coerence between picture and text body. Note that the correct use of eps/pdf produced by apropriate editor give same quality of the LaTeX graphical packages. One of major advantage to use editor that save al LaTeX is the possibility of manual adjustments of pictures.But need caution to select this kind of picture editor because several ones are produced to insert formula inside picture and not to help LaTeX users. In this case, the coerence of thickness is not of interest. For example, the jpicedtsaved as picture emvironment using emulated element, independent of format choice, producing low quality and lack the manual adjustments.

LaTeX Draw

site: http://latexdraw.sourceforge.net/
This editor is specialized in pstricks. The editor has support to read pictures in pstrick format edited manually or generated by other applications. Will edit using nice graphics interface and keep coerence between picture and text body. Note that the pstrick package are developed to generate dvi/ps and when want to compile directly to PDF using pdflatex, need to use addtional package pstool (not pstools). The classical way to generate PDF in this case is the use of LaTeX=>dvips=>ps2pdf.

jpgfDraw

site: http://theoval.cmp.uea.ac.uk/~nlct/jpgfdraw/
jpgf Draw export the picture using pgf (package used by beamer), but save in their own format and seems that does not have import features. The pgf package has advantage that will compiled both on latex and pdflatex (due to this features, beamer normally compiled by pdflatex will compiled by LaTeX if not use PDF specific effect).
The jpgfDraw present additional features for flowfram used for panel, journal, folder, etc. The flowfram package is one of most simpler to perform this kind of work, but the creation of apropriate layout is not so. The jpgfDraw permit to generate flowfram layout in easy way.

TeXCAD

site: http://texcad.sourceforge.net/
The classical graphics editor specialized in LaTeX. It is open source, but is specific for Windows. Thus, the picture became difficult to edited in other platform. it is not good idea, because one of most important feature of LaTeX is cross platform. I not tested their graphics quality.

Scientific Graphics

To produce scientific graphics, use apropriate applications.

Geogebra

site: http://www.geogebra.org/

The geogebra is popular applications for dynamic geometry, with several additional features. Will export to WEB and as eps/pdf.pstrick too. The text on exported eps are drawn as curve and will not use psfrag. If desire to change text/fórmula, export as pstrick (LaTeX package) or pgf/TikZ (LaTeX package). 

gnuplot

site: http://www.gnuplot.info/
This is the popular data plotting tools, with support to plot using mathematical expression too. Will save the resulting graphics in several format, inclusing vector ones. The gnuplot is an interpreter and need some knowledge of some basic command to generate hight quality graphics.

Maxima

site: http://maxima.sourceforge.net/
Maxima is popular CAS (Computer Algebra System) as Maple 9comercial) and Mathematica (comercial). it implements MacSyma language, but becames with friendly GUi called WxMaxima that permit to perform several task without knowledge of language, inclusing graphics plot. it is usefull to generate 2D and 3D graphic of functions, but does not have support to plot implecit curve and surfaces yet.

GNU R

site: http://www.r-project.org/
GNU R is popular application for statistic that implements the language R very similar to the language S. It produce very nice graphics, but require some knowledge of language R.

Octave and others MatLab's clone

If understand some of MatLab language, the octave, scilabm and freemat will used to generate mathematical graphics in vector format. The GNU Octave is most popular. The recent FreeMat is easy to instal and use, but not much featured yet. The popular GUI for GNU Octave is QtOctave (linux/win). Other one is xOctave (linux/win). The SciLab and Freemat became with their own GUI.
gnu octave: http://www.gnu.org/software/octave/
scilab: http://www.scilab.org/
freemat: http://freemat.sourceforge.net/
QtOctave and xoctave: http://qtoctave.wordpress.com/ and http://xoctave.sourceforge.net/.

SciDAVis and Microcal Origin like ones

SciDAVis: http://scidavis.sourceforge.net/
RLPlot: http://rlplot.sourceforge.net/

The SciDAVis is data analysis and visualization tools that produce nice graphics and will export in several formats, inclusing vector format EPS.
The RLPlot is more simpler, but  will add some text and polylines on the resulting plot. For clone of Microcal Origin users, the QtiPlot support to importing Microcal Origin 7.5 file format. But, the windows version is only the commertial or limited demo version.

Others

Not the all of case that mathematical applications will export graphics in vector format. Some kind of graphics is hard or impossible to generate apropriate vector graphics.  In this caase, use resolution of 600DPI when the delimiter, line, etc is very determined (as tecnical picture) or 300DPI in the case of bluer contour, lines, etc (as photo realistic image). That is recomendation for printing. If want to enlarge inside LaTeX document, need to use most hight DPI in way to keep desired DPI aafter enlargement.
  • k3DSurf (linux/win): Plot the parametric and implicit surface from mathematical expression, by friendly interface.
  • Fractint(dos/linux/win): One of most powerfull fractal plotting tools. The recent stable version is based on DOS and GUI is not so friendly, but the test version contain the Windows version.

Some Converters

Image Magick

site: http://www.imagemagick.org/
If installed LyX, normally it is installed. ImageMafick is the command line image need caution to use because the windows tools to convert FAT file system to NTFS is named convert too. Thus, ensure that is calling the correct ones, such as use of full path.
Example:
convert img.jpg eps2:img.eps
create compressed eps. If eps2 is not specified, it generate big eps file because use postscript level 1 that does not allow compression.

sam2p

site: http://www.inf.bme.hu/~pts/sam2p/site: http://www.inf.bme.hu/~pts/sam2p/
Convert bitmap image to eps ou pdf. By apropriate option, generate small files. It is the unique aprications known at moment that can produce compressed file on postscript of level 1 (author implemented uncompress routine in postscript).
Copy the contents of downloaded files and copy to desired folder.  Is recomended to put sam2p's folder to PATH of windows. Other good idea is to put inside MikTeX folder (c:\Program Files\miktex 2.7\miktex\bin) that normally is on the PATH. The GUI version are not usable in 2008, but will check the time in time to see if usable GUI version is released.
Example
sam2p -c:jpeg figura.jpg figura.eps
convert jpeg to eps, keepping jpeg compressed.

jpeg2ps

site: http://gnuwin32.sourceforge.net/packages/jpeg2ps.htm
The classical jpeg to eps converter using postscript of level 2/3, generation small file. Recomend to use imagemagick or sam2p instead.

TeX4ht (integrated into MikTeX)

TeX4ht is cross platform Tex/LaTeX to HTML/XHTML converter, similar to Hevea, TTH, and  LaTeX2HTML. all of these four are of cross platform and present some advantage over others. The Hevea and  TTH does not have decent support for mathematical formula. The Tex4ht that implemented as package set for TeX and LaTeX2HTML implemented in perl, will manage mathematical formula in apropriated way. The both permit to use images (GIF, PNG or JPEG) or MathML for formula. The TeX4ht and LaTeX2HTML are open source and are alrgelly used ones.
The HTML produced by Tex4ht is more near to original one than the produced by LaTeX2HTML. The TeX4ht can not split documents in part, usefull for large document. The LaTeX2HTML split document in parts and produce navegation between it automatically, but it will disabled if desired. In other words, the HTML produced by LaTeX2HTML is more suitable for internet publishing and it made prefered tools for profissionals. By other hand, the TeX4ht will convert to Open Office formats too and is included in MikTeX and W32TeX.The command htlatex.bat convert formula to image and htmlatex.bat use MathML for it. The oolatex.bat convert for Open Office document format.

Remark 1: To use JPEG or PNG instead of GIF on the formula, specify on parameter.
    htlatex foo "html,png"
generate HTML code from foo.tex using PNG image to formula. The seccond parameter enclosed by double quote is passed on TeX as option for tex4ht.sty package option. The other bat file workas as same form. For more option for tex4ht.sty, see the TeX4ht's manual.
Remark 2: Specifing the use of MathML, does not guaranteee that all formula is not converted to image because some ones will not have MathML equivalent.
Remark 3: The GUI for windows is found on  http://www.mayer.dial.pipex.com/tex.htm.
Remark 4: Teh accent inside tabular  (\a{'}, \a{~}, etc) does not recognized. In this case, use direct accentuated character.

RTF2LaTeX2e

Site: http://sourceforge.net/projects/rtf2latex2e/
(copy is on CTAN: http://www.ctan.org/tex-archive/support/rtf2latex2e/).
RTF2LaTeX2e is cross platform RTF (Rich Text Format) to LaTeX. converter with equation support (MS Equations). Note that MS Word will export to RTF.In the case of Open Office, use the writer2latex plugin to export as LaTeX.
To install RTF2LaTeX2e, download the file and unpack into desired folder such as c:\Program Files\rtf2latex2e
To convert MS Document, on MS Word, save as RTF by  "file-.save as". If file is "test.rtf" and is on the "c:\temp" then open the command line (DOS prompt) and change to c:\temp
c:\document and settings\[user]>cd\temp
and run the rtf2latex2e
C:\temp>"c:\program files\rtf2latex2e\rtf2latex2e.exe" test.rtf
to create test.tex file.
Note that almost image are managed correctly, but some special ones such as Microsoft Draw will by ignored.
The default is to ignore color, but will changed, editing the setup file "r2l-pref" in the "c:\Program Files\rtf2latex\pref". The "ignoreColor=trure" and "ignorecolor=false" disable/enable color keeping on conversion.

LaTeX2RTF

site: http://sourceforge.net/projects/latex2rtf/
(copy on CTAN: http://www.ctan.org/tex-archive/support/latex2rtf/)

LaTeX2RTF is cross platform free LaTeX to RTF (Rich Text Format) converter with equation support. The RTF will opened by MS Word. The equation is converted to "EQ field" (not is the Equation Object) recognized by MS Equations. For Open Office, use the ooolatex included in TeX4ht, distributed with MikTeX or W32TeX. Note that the convertor support formula, tables, figures, etc, but not all LaTeX command has equivalent ones on MS Word.
To install, unpack the downloaded file to apropriate folder. Supose that if is placed into the folder
c:\Program Files\l2r
The executable name is latex2tr.exe, but the use of bat file is most easyller.
Edit the l2r.bat and change the line
C:\l2r\latex2rt -P C:\l2r\cfg %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
to
"C:\Program Files\l2r\latex2rt.exe"  -P "C:\Program Files\l2r\cfg" %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
Now, edit the file l2rsem.bat and change the line
C:\l2r\latex2rt -S -P C:\l2r\cfg %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
to
"C:\Program Files\l2r\latex2rt.exe"  -S -P "C:\Program Files\l2r\cfg" %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 %6 %7 %8 %9
The l2r.bat is used to convert as american standard (fields separated by colon) and l2rsem.bat (that use option -S to call latex2rt) is used to produce German standard (field separated by semi colon). In the case of portuguese, is conform to German ones. Note that the field separator is very important to the MS Word recognize equations. Need to match with your MS Office setup ones.

In way to image converter work, or to permit some equation converted to BMP image, need to install and setup the GhostView/GhostScript and ImageMagick and adjust their PATH on l2rprep.bat.

To use, compile document using LaTeX, BibTeX, etc normally to generate aux file and solbe cross references.  After this, execute the desired bat file (followed by tex file name without extension) from command line prompt. If desire to use image, run the l2rprep.bat before l2r.bat or l2rsem.bat.

WP2LaTeX

Site: http://sourceforge.net/projects/wp2latex/
Word Perfect to LaTeX with table and equation support.

Writer2LaTeX

site: http://writer2latex.sourceforge.net/
Convert the Open Office/Star Office to LaTeX/XHTML+MathLM. Will used as plugin to export directly from Open Writer. Depending of instalation of Open Office, it becames installed.

Excel2LaTeX

site: http://www.ctan.org/tex-archive/support/excel2latex/
Excel2LaTeX is MS Excel macro to convert excel spreadsheet  to laTeX table. Almost format such as fonts, borders, merged cell, etc are supported.  To install, copy the file excel2latex.xla to MS office folder and open by double clicking it. The MS Excel open and ask if execute the "macro". Ansuwer "sim" and the install is complete. On the MS Excel, select the region of spreadsheet and click on "convert table to LaTeX" (or tools->convert table to LaTeX). The generated LaTeX code will copied to clipboard or saved to file. If desiere japanese one, see http://plaza19.mbn.or.jp/~Butcher_Bird/Mac/Excel.html.

Calc2LaTeX

site: http://calc2latex.sourceforge.net/
macro for Open Calc (of Open Office) to generate LaTeX table from spreadsheet . Work similar to excl2latex.

Other tools

jabref (recomended)

site: http://jabref.sourceforge.net/
if using the BibTeX, this GUI is recomended to edit the file ".bib". Several LaTeX does not use BibTeX due to work on BiBTeX file edition that use intax different of LaTeX ones. But, with jabref, it is very easy.

jpdftweak

site: http://jpdftweak.sourceforge.net/
This tools is essential for adjustment of finalized PDF documents. It permit to split and join PDF files, reorder pages, resize, n-up, etc. If need to finalize publication material such as book, journal, etc that manage PDF in general, instead of source code, the jPDFTweak is very usefull.
To produce poster in easy way, create document using 1/4 (1/2 of scale in each dimension) using 12pt. After PDF is produced, use jpefTweal to enlarge in real size . Due to scale factor of 2x, the font size became 24pt, recomended to poster. In this way, will produce poster without special package or tricks.If want to automatize using command line script, the Multvalent will be usefull. Note that the Multivalent is the document viewer for HTML, DVI, PDF, etc and the PDF management is made by command line instead on GUI. Due to this, most recent jPDFTweak becames popular than multivalent.

xournal and jaurnal

xournal: http://xournal.sourceforge.net/
jaurnal: http://www.dklevine.com/general/software/tc1000/jarnal.htm
xournal is eletronic notebook, but will write over PDF and export to PDF again. This features is usefull for teacher to made correction of student's work. If use tablet, will made it so fast as correction over printed ones. Teh jaurnal is similar to xournal, but is implemented in java. xournal is recomended.


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En resumen

Para instalar LaTeX, descarguamos e instalamos:

Una vez instalado todo estas listo para comenzar a usar LaTeX

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