There are a lot of chart generation tools online, but most of them aren’t near comprehensive. Google on other hand offers very comprehensive Chart API, which I use a lot and maintain (more or less) own PHP class for.
Largest inconvenience with Chart API was need to manually or programmatically mess with creating URLs for images. To cover that Google had made image chart editor (or ChartTool - seems to have identity issues) that allows to create or edit charts in user-friendly way.
What it does
Editor is web app that runs on Google App Engine platform. It has gallery of example charts and editor – suit of wizards to create chart of available types.
Editor can start from scratch or from one of example charts.
Strong features
Interface is conveniently organized in container that toggle show/hide. There is bunch of interface nifties, including extensive color picker for every place where colors go.
Page has:
- live preview of image;
- live highlight what part of URL you are currently changing;
- quick code for URL, image tag and embed via Visualization API (more complex JS solution, but allows more data to fit);
Downsides
Editor is extensive, but not comprehensive. Some of newer features, such as formulas and compound charts are not present.
Site as marked beta and for once it seems to carry actual meaning for Google product. So far I had encountered:
- more complex charts cannot be imported from URL;
- preview images stuck in Opera when switching between chart types.
Overall
Bit rough, but easy to use tool to generate simple charts quickly and conveniently.
CARLENA LAWRENCE #
Rarst #