LaTex “too many unprocessed floats” problem and solution

After adding about 30 scanned images into an appendix, I started getting “too many unprocessed floats” errors.  Doing a little digging, I found that many of the images were starting to back up on each other.  LaTeX was getting plugged up and was barfing.

The solution:

Add this to your top-level file:

\usepackage[section] {placeins}

By using the placeins package with the section option selected, LaTeX is forced to dump all of the unprocessed floats at the end of each section.  There are a few other ways to do it with that package but this way made the most sense to me.  Doing that, I get no more errors!  Well, at least from that problem.

LaTeX Graphicx Package Troubles

I’m authoring my thesis in LaTeX, a sort of scripting language similar to HTML that produces beautiful final results… that is, if you can get it to cooperate.

My current problem is with trying to use the graphicx package.  I can’t get a graphic to display correctly.  The code looks correct but it keeps throwing strange errors.  I copied the code verbatim (with changing the file i’m trying to insert) from a friend’s masters thesis.  It worked in his so I don’t see why it’s not working in mine.  We are using the same class files and whatnot and the same general format.

The problem comes (i think) in the width variable.  That textwidth doesn’t seem to be working correctly.

The Code:

\begin{figure}[h]
\begin{center}
\includegraphics[width=0.6\textwidth, keepaspectratio=true ]{figures/hofstede_onion.png}
\caption{Hofstede's Onion Model of Culture: Cultural Values are located at the core and are surrounded by Rituals, Heros, and Symbols with Practices drilling down from the outside to the Values center. Reproduced from \cite{Hofstede01}.}
\label{fig:hofstede_onion}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

The Error Message:

! LaTeX Error: Cannot determine size of graphic in figures/hofstede_onion.png (no BoundingBox).
See the LaTeX manual or LaTeX Companion for explanation.
Type H for immediate help.
...
1.18 ... ctratio=true ]{figures/hofstede_onion.png}
) [5]

Thoughts, insights, ideas?

UPDATE:

With the help of Alex (recommended by Anne), I was able to get the graphics files to pop out.  The key was switching from outputting into a DVI file or a PS file to outputting directly into a PDF file.  To do this in TeXnic Center, I went to Build -> Select Output File.  I then chose the PDF option.

Other problems still exist with my output, but at least some of the big ones are now addressed.  No doubt, there will be further whining for help as I progress with my thesis.

The start of school and another CV

School starts for me in another 20 minutes.  This will probably be the last term I have a normal, fully-loaded schedule that includes academic coursework.  While I am only taking two classes, my thesis work, applying for PhD programs, writing journal articles, and taking the GRE are keeping me quite busy.

In general, I really enjoy being busy and productive.  However, the last month or so I’ve been so busy with working 60 to 80 hours a week on all of my academic work, I haven’t hardly had any time to go out and play.  No SCUBA diving for almost a month.  No motorcycle riding for several weeks.  No mountain biking all summer!  Not even rock climbing.

At least I updated my CV again.  This time, I added in some information about a forthcoming journal article and a conference panel I sat on last year.  I also included my membership in PADI and the American Academy for Underwater Science Standards (AAUSS).  That reminds me… I really need to fill out my AAUSS logs for August and send them in soon.