\doabstract{A \tikz{} tutorial: Generating graphics in the\\spirit of \TeX}
{Andrew Mertz and William Slough}
{\tikz{} is a system which can be used to specify graphics of very high
quality. For example, accurate placement of picture elements, use of
\TeX\ fonts, ability to incorporate mathematical typesetting, and the
possibility of introducing macros can be viewed as positive factors of
this system.  The syntax uses an amalgamation of ideas from \MF{},
\PSTricks\, and \SVG, requiring its users to ``program'' their
desired graphics\Dash which can be either a curse or a blessing,
depending on one's outlook.  The latest revision to \tikz{} introduces
many new features to an already feature-packed system, as evidenced by
its 560 page user manual.  In this talk, we will present a tutorial
overview of this system, suitable for both beginning and intermediate
users of \tikz.}