I just found out about Google Charts and their open API that allows anyone to use their charting application.

(I PUT TOGETHER A SMALL CHART MAKER HERE http://www.toddvance.com/charts)

If you have need of charting, one very cool option is the Google Charting API.  You simply place your data inside of the google URL along with certain parameters.  Place the entire BUILT url into an image tag and Google will return to you a PDF.  Very nice.

Let me show you:

We start with our basic
http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?

From here we add chart size
chs=250x100

Then chart data  (BTW — these do NOT have to go in order– this is just the order that I am using)
chd=t:20,30,30,50,80

Then the TYPE of chart that you are looking for (for this chart I will use Google’s 3d Pie)
cht=p3

Finally we will send it the labels (these should be in the same order as the data ..obviously)
chl=Todd|Vance|Com|Is|Cool

Now we take that entire URL "http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?chs=250x100&chd=t:20,10,30,50,80&cht=p3&chl=Todd|Vance|Com|Is|Cool" , and stick it in an IMG tag and wahLAH...instant chart.

That’s it… right above.  Nice eh?  The coolest thing are the possible applications.  I just used this tool Inside of a Asp.Net application and ported into a PDF file.  It’s sooo easy!

There are a ton of options including colors, multi stacked charts, MAP charts, and much more… find the developer guide here.     http://code.google.com/apis/chart/