Some functions, like convex-hull computation or graph visualization, are implemented in several fashions, using different algorithms, libraries, or visualization engines. The choice between the implementations can't always be made from the sole algorithmical complexity point of view; instead, you are allowed to establish own preferences, based on your subjective taste.

Let's recall that permanent preference settings can be made using the interactive prefer and reset_preference user commands, as well as by manual editing the user's private file ~/.polymake/prefer.pl. Temporary changes are made by calling prefer_now, they hold until the user script finishes, or the current input line in the interactive mode is interpreted completely.

## Visualization

javaview
Use JavaView - default tool for the visualization of 3- or 4-dimensional geometric objects.
You can also use it for graph visualization. The 3-d spring embedder starts with random node placement, so you have a chance to get various embeddings when trying it several times.
Associated functions:
javaview.geometry
method JavaView::Viewer::draw(Visual::Polyhedron, @)
method JavaView::Viewer::draw(Visual::Polygon, @)
method JavaView::Viewer::draw(Visual::Surface, @)
method JavaView::Viewer::draw(Visual::PointSet, @)
method JavaView::Viewer::draw(Visual::Polygons, @)
javaview.graph
method JavaView::Viewer::draw(Visual::Graph, @)
postscript
Create a PostScript (tm) drawing and show it with your favorite viewer.
Associated functions:
postscript.lattice
method Postscript::Viewer::draw(Visual::Lattice)
postscript.geometry
method Postscript::Viewer::draw(Visual::Polygon, @)
method Postscript::Viewer::draw(Visual::PointSet, @)
method Postscript::Viewer::draw(Visual::Polygons, @)
postscript.graph
method Postscript::Viewer::draw(Visual::Graph, @)
geomview
Use geomview - an alternative tool for the visualization of 3- or 4-dimensional geometrical objects.
Associated functions:
geomview.geometry
method Geomview::Viewer::draw(Visual::PointSet, @)
method Geomview::Viewer::draw(Visual::Polygon, @)
method Geomview::Viewer::draw(Visual::Polyhedron, @)
method Geomview::Viewer::draw(Visual::Polygons, @)
geomview.graph
method Geomview::Viewer::draw(Visual::Graph, @)
jreality
Use jreality, the experimental 3-D visualization software
Associated functions:
jreality.geometry
method JReality::Viewer::draw(Visual::Surface, @)
method JReality::Viewer::draw(Visual::Polygon, @)
method JReality::Viewer::draw(Visual::PointSet, @)
method JReality::Viewer::draw(Visual::Polygons, @)
method JReality::Viewer::draw(Visual::Polyhedron, @)
jreality.graph
method JReality::Viewer::draw(Visual::Graph, @)
povray
Use POVRAY for drawing.
Associated functions:
povray.geometry
method Povray::Viewer::draw(Visual::Polygon, @)
method Povray::Viewer::draw(Visual::Polygons, @)
method Povray::Viewer::draw(Visual::PointSet, @)
method Povray::Viewer::draw(Visual::Polyhedron, @)
method Povray::Viewer::draw(Visual::Surface, @)
povray.graph
method Povray::Viewer::draw(Visual::Graph, @)
metapost
Produce a MetaPost input file with the given drawing
Associated functions:
metapost.lattice
method Metapost::File::Writer::draw(Visual::Lattice)
metapost.geometry
method Metapost::File::Writer::draw(Visual::PointSet, @)
metapost.graph
method Metapost::File::Writer::draw(Visual::Graph, @)
graphviz
Use graphviz to draw graphs and face lattices
Associated functions:
graphviz.lattice
method Graphviz::Viewer::draw(Visual::Lattice)
graphviz.graph
method Graphviz::Viewer::draw(Visual::Graph)

## Topology

greedy
to compute a Morse matching by the greedy algorithm
Associated functions:
greedy.morse_matching
rule of SimplicialComplex: MORSE_MATCHING, MORSE_MATCHING_SIZE, MORSE_MATCHING_CRITICAL_FACES, MORSE_MATCHING_N_CRITICAL_FACES, MORSE_MATCHING_CRITICAL_FACE_VECTOR : HASSE_DIAGRAM
cancel
to compute a Morse matching by Forman's canceling algorithm
Associated functions:
cancel.morse_matching
rule of SimplicialComplex: MORSE_MATCHING, MORSE_MATCHING_SIZE, MORSE_MATCHING_CRITICAL_FACES, MORSE_MATCHING_N_CRITICAL_FACES, MORSE_MATCHING_CRITICAL_FACE_VECTOR : HASSE_DIAGRAM
heckenbach
Use the Heckenbach's homology program to compute the homology groups instead of the default client t_homology.
Associated functions:
heckenbach.homology
rule of SimplicialComplex: HOMOLOGY : FACETS

## Other labels

default
for algorithms shipped with polymake, as opposed to those imported from external software packages
Associated functions:
default.homology
rule of SimplicialComplex: HOMOLOGY, CYCLES : FACETS, DIM
rule of SimplicialComplex: HOMOLOGY : FACETS, DIM