Fix LaTeX dependencies

README.rst

@@ -51,12 +51,42 @@ Install
 
 Requirements packages:
 
-* python > 3.6
+* python >= 3.9
 * numpy  
 * scipy>=0.19    
-* matplotlib>=2.0
+* matplotlib>=3.6
 * astropy
 
+Optional LaTeX dependencies for enhanced plot rendering:
+
+* A LaTeX distribution (e.g., TeX Live, MiKTeX)
+* dvipng (for PNG output)
+* cm-super (Computer Modern fonts)
+
+**Installation instructions:**
+
+On Ubuntu/Debian:
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+   sudo apt-get install texlive-latex-base texlive-fonts-recommended dvipng cm-super
+
+On macOS with Homebrew:
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+   brew install --cask mactex
+   # dvipng and cm-super are included with MacTeX
+
+On macOS with MacPorts:
+
+.. code-block:: bash
+
+   sudo port install texlive +full
+
+**Note:** LaTeX dependencies are optional. If not installed, ctaplot will automatically 
+fall back to matplotlib's default text rendering without LaTeX support.
+
 We recommend the use of `anaconda <https://www.anaconda.com>`_
 
 The package is available through pip:

ctaplot/plots/style.py

@@ -1,18 +1,29 @@
 import matplotlib as mpl
 from distutils.spawn import find_executable
 from contextlib import contextmanager
+import logging
 from ..io.dataset import get
 
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
 
 def check_latex():
     """
-    Check if a latex distribution is installed.
+    Check if a latex distribution is installed and has required packages.
 
     Returns
     -------
-    bool: True if a LaTeX distribution could be found
+    bool: True if a LaTeX distribution with required packages could be found
     """
-    return find_executable('latex') is not None
+    if not find_executable('latex'):
+        return False
+
+    # Check if dvipng is available (needed for matplotlib LaTeX rendering)
+    if not find_executable('dvipng'):
+        logger.warning("LaTeX found but dvipng is missing. Install dvipng for full LaTeX support.")
+        return False
+
+    return True
 
 
 @contextmanager
@@ -36,8 +47,12 @@ def context(style='notebook'):
     """
     style_path = get(f'ctaplot-{style}')
     with mpl.style.context(['seaborn-v0_8-deep', style_path]):
-        if not check_latex():
+        latex_available = check_latex()
+        if not latex_available:
             mpl.rcParams['text.usetex'] = False
+            if style in ['slides', 'paper']:
+                logger.info(f"LaTeX not fully available. For enhanced {style} rendering, "
+                           "install LaTeX with dvipng and cm-super packages.")
         yield
 
 
@@ -55,7 +70,11 @@ def set_style(style='notebook'):
     style_path = get(f'ctaplot-{style}')
     mpl.pyplot.style.use(['seaborn-v0_8-deep', style_path])
 
-    if not check_latex():
+    latex_available = check_latex()
+    if not latex_available:
         mpl.rcParams['text.usetex'] = False
+        if style in ['slides', 'paper']:
+            logger.info(f"LaTeX not fully available. For enhanced {style} rendering, "
+                       "install LaTeX with dvipng and cm-super packages.")
 
 

environment.yml

@@ -19,3 +19,6 @@ dependencies:
   - ipympl
   - tqdm
   - h5py
+  # Optional: LaTeX support for enhanced plot rendering
+  # Note: LaTeX dependencies may need to be installed separately
+  # See README for platform-specific installation instructions