diff --git a/lib/plotrb/simple.rb b/lib/plotrb/simple.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fa86183
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lib/plotrb/simple.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,197 @@
+#--
+# simple.rb:  Shortcuts for making some simple plots.
+# Copyright (c) 2013 Colin J. Fuller and the Ruby Science Foundation
+# All rights reserved.
+#
+# Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+# modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+# are met:
+#   - Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+#   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+#
+#   - Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+#   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+#   documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+#   distribution.
+#
+# THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+# "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+# LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+# A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+# HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
+# INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING,
+# BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS
+# OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED
+# AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT
+# LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY
+# WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+# POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+#++
+
+require 'plotrb'
+
+module Plotrb
+  module Simple
+
+    SCATTER_DATA_NAME = 'scatter'
+    SCATTER_X_SCALE_NAME = 'scatter_x'
+    SCATTER_Y_SCALE_NAME = 'scatter_y'
+
+    #
+    # Data name used by scatter plot
+    #
+    def self.scatter_data_name
+      SCATTER_DATA_NAME
+    end
+
+    #
+    # Scale name used by scatter plot for x axis
+    #
+    def self.scatter_x_scale_name
+      SCATTER_X_SCALE_NAME
+    end
+
+    #
+    # Scale name used by scatter plot for y axis
+    #
+    def self.scatter_y_scale_name
+      SCATTER_Y_SCALE_NAME
+    end
+
+    #
+    # Generate a simple 2d scatter plot.
+    #
+    # @param [NMatrix, Array] x the x datapoints; if a single row, will be used
+    #   for all y dataseries, if multiple rows, each row of x will be used for
+    #   the corresponding row of y
+    # @param [NMatrix, Array] y the y datapoints.  Can be a single dimensional array,
+    #   or 2D with multiple series in rows; column dimension should match the
+    #   number of elements in x.
+    # @param [String, Array<String>] symbol the type of symbol to be used to
+    #   plot the points.  Can be any symbol Vega understands: circle, square,
+    #   cross, diamond, triangle-up, triangle-down.  If a single String is
+    #   provided, this will be used for all the points.  If an Array of Strings
+    #   is provided, each symbol in the array will be used for the corresponding
+    #   data series (row) in y.  Default: 'circle'
+    # @param [String, Array<String>] color the color to be used to plot the
+    #   points.  If a single String is provided, this will be used for all the
+    #   points.  If an Array of Strings is provided, each color in the array will
+    #   be used for the corresponding data series (row) in y.  Default: 'blue'
+    # @param [Numeric] markersize the size of the marker in pixels. Default: 20
+    # @param [Numeric] width the visualization width in pixels. Default: 640
+    # @param [Numeric] height the visualization height in pixels. Default: 480
+    # @param [Array, String] domain the domain for the plot (limits on the
+    #   x-axis).  This can be a 2-element array of bounds or any other object
+    #   that Plotrb::Scale::from understands.  Default: scale to x data
+    # @param [Array, String] range the range for the plot (limits on the
+    #   y-axis).  This can be a 2-element array of bounds or any other object
+    #   that Plotrb::Scale::from understands.  Default: scale to first row of
+    #   y.
+    # 
+    # @return [Plotrb::Visualization] A visualization object.  (This can be
+    #   written to a json string for Vega with #generate_spec.)
+    #
+    # method signature for ruby 2.0 kwargs:
+    # def scatter(x, y, symbol: 'circle', color: 'blue', markersize: 20,
+    #            width: 640, height: 480, domain: nil, range: nil)
+    def self.scatter(x, y, kwargs={})
+      kwargs = {symbol: 'circle', color: 'blue', markersize: 20, width: 640,
+                height: 480, domain: nil, range: nil}.merge(kwargs)
+      symbol = kwargs[:symbol]
+      color = kwargs[:color]
+      markersize = kwargs[:markersize]
+      width = kwargs[:width]
+      height = kwargs[:height]
+      domain = kwargs[:domain]
+      range = kwargs[:range]
+      
+      datapoints = []
+      n_sets = 1
+      x_n_sets = 1
+      x_size = x.size
+
+      if x.respond_to?(:shape) and x.shape.length > 1 then  # x is 2D NMatrix
+        x_n_sets = x.shape[0]
+        x_size = x.shape[1]
+      elsif x.instance_of? Array and x[0].instance_of? Array then # x is nested Array
+        x_n_sets = x.size
+        x_size = x[0].size
+      end
+
+      if y.respond_to?(:shape) and y.shape.length > 1 then # y is 2D NMatrix
+        n_sets = y.shape[0]
+      elsif y.instance_of? Array and y[0].instance_of? Array then # y is nested array
+        n_sets = y.size
+      end
+
+      x_size.times do |i|
+        dp = {}
+        n_sets.times do |j|
+
+          xj = j.modulo(x_n_sets)
+          if x.respond_to?(:shape) and x.shape.length > 1 then
+            dp["x#{xj}".to_sym] = x[xj, i]
+          elsif x.instance_of? Array and x[0].instance_of? Array then
+            dp["x#{xj}".to_sym] = x[xj][i]
+          else
+            dp["x#{xj}".to_sym] = x[i]
+          end
+
+          indices = [i]
+          if y.respond_to?(:shape) and y.shape.length > 1 then
+            indices = [j,i]
+          end
+          if y.instance_of? Array and y[0].instance_of? Array then
+            dp["y#{j}".to_sym] = y[j][*indices]
+          else
+            dp["y#{j}".to_sym] = y[*indices]
+          end
+        end
+
+        datapoints << dp
+      end
+
+      Plotrb::Kernel.data.delete_if { |d| d.name == scatter_data_name }
+      dataset= Plotrb::Data.new.name(scatter_data_name)
+      dataset.values(datapoints)
+
+      domain_in = "#{scatter_data_name}.x0"
+      if domain then
+        domain_in = domain
+      end
+      range_in = "#{scatter_data_name}.y0"
+      if range then
+        range_in = range
+      end
+
+      Plotrb::Kernel.scales.delete_if { |d| d.name == scatter_x_scale_name or d.name == scatter_y_scale_name }
+
+      xs = linear_scale.name(scatter_x_scale_name).from(domain_in).to_width
+      ys = linear_scale.name(scatter_y_scale_name).from(range_in).to_height
+
+      marks = []
+      n_sets.times do |j|
+        marks << symbol_mark.from(dataset) do
+          c_j = color.instance_of?(Array) ? color[j] : color
+          s_j = symbol.instance_of?(Array) ? symbol[j] : symbol
+          x_j = j.modulo(x_n_sets)
+          enter do
+            x_start { scale(xs).from("x#{x_j}") }
+            y_start { scale(ys).from("y#{j}") }
+            size markersize
+            shape s_j
+            fill c_j
+          end
+        end
+      end
+
+      visualization.width(width).height(height) do
+        data dataset
+        scales xs, ys
+        marks marks
+        axes x_axis.scale(xs), y_axis.scale(ys)
+      end
+    end
+  end
+end
+
diff --git a/spec/plotrb/simple_spec.rb b/spec/plotrb/simple_spec.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9305e04
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/plotrb/simple_spec.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+#--
+# simple_spec.rb: specs for simple plot shortcuts 
+# Copyright (c) 2013 Colin J. Fuller and the Ruby Science Foundation
+# All rights reserved.
+#
+# Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+# modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+# are met:
+#   - Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+#   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+#
+#   - Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+#   notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
+#   documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+#   distribution.
+#
+# THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+# "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+# LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+# A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+# HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
+# INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING,
+# BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS
+# OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED
+# AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT
+# LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY
+# WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+# POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+#++
+
+require 'spec_helper'
+require 'plotrb/simple'
+
+describe Plotrb::Simple do 
+
+  context "scatter plots" do
+    before :each do
+      @xdata = [0,1,2,3,4,5]
+      @ydata = [[0,1,4,9,16,25],[0,1,8,27,64,125]]
+    end
+
+    it "should correctly make a scatter plot with supplied options" do
+      Plotrb::Simple.scatter(@xdata, @ydata, markersize: 40, domain: [0,10], range: [0,125], color: ['red', 'blue'], width: 1000, height: 1000, symbol: ['triangle-up', 'triangle-down']).generate_spec.should eq '{"width":1000,"height":1000,"data":[{"name":"scatter","values":[{"x0":0,"y0":0,"y1":0},{"x0":1,"y0":1,"y1":1},{"x0":2,"y0":4,"y1":8},{"x0":3,"y0":9,"y1":27},{"x0":4,"y0":16,"y1":64},{"x0":5,"y0":25,"y1":125}]}],"scales":[{"name":"scatter_x","type":"linear","domain":[0,10],"range":"width"},{"name":"scatter_y","type":"linear","domain":[0,125],"range":"height"}],"marks":[{"type":"symbol","from":{"data":"scatter"},"properties":{"enter":{"size":{"value":40},"shape":{"value":"triangle-up"},"x":{"field":"data.x0","scale":"scatter_x"},"y":{"field":"data.y0","scale":"scatter_y"},"fill":{"value":"red"}}}},{"type":"symbol","from":{"data":"scatter"},"properties":{"enter":{"size":{"value":40},"shape":{"value":"triangle-down"},"x":{"field":"data.x0","scale":"scatter_x"},"y":{"field":"data.y1","scale":"scatter_y"},"fill":{"value":"blue"}}}}],"axes":[{"type":"x","scale":"scatter_x"},{"type":"y","scale":"scatter_y"}]}'
+    end
+
+    it "should correctly make a scatter plot with default options and multiple data series" do
+      Plotrb::Simple.scatter(@xdata, @ydata).generate_spec.should eq '{"width":640,"height":480,"data":[{"name":"scatter","values":[{"x0":0,"y0":0,"y1":0},{"x0":1,"y0":1,"y1":1},{"x0":2,"y0":4,"y1":8},{"x0":3,"y0":9,"y1":27},{"x0":4,"y0":16,"y1":64},{"x0":5,"y0":25,"y1":125}]}],"scales":[{"name":"scatter_x","type":"linear","domain":{"data":"scatter","field":"data.x0"},"range":"width"},{"name":"scatter_y","type":"linear","domain":{"data":"scatter","field":"data.y0"},"range":"height"}],"marks":[{"type":"symbol","from":{"data":"scatter"},"properties":{"enter":{"size":{"value":20},"shape":{"value":"circle"},"x":{"field":"data.x0","scale":"scatter_x"},"y":{"field":"data.y0","scale":"scatter_y"},"fill":{"value":"blue"}}}},{"type":"symbol","from":{"data":"scatter"},"properties":{"enter":{"size":{"value":20},"shape":{"value":"circle"},"x":{"field":"data.x0","scale":"scatter_x"},"y":{"field":"data.y1","scale":"scatter_y"},"fill":{"value":"blue"}}}}],"axes":[{"type":"x","scale":"scatter_x"},{"type":"y","scale":"scatter_y"}]}'
+    end
+
+    it "should correctly make a scatter plot with default options and a single data series" do
+      Plotrb::Simple.scatter(@xdata, [0,1,4,9,16,25]).generate_spec.should eq '{"width":640,"height":480,"data":[{"name":"scatter","values":[{"x0":0,"y0":0},{"x0":1,"y0":1},{"x0":2,"y0":4},{"x0":3,"y0":9},{"x0":4,"y0":16},{"x0":5,"y0":25}]}],"scales":[{"name":"scatter_x","type":"linear","domain":{"data":"scatter","field":"data.x0"},"range":"width"},{"name":"scatter_y","type":"linear","domain":{"data":"scatter","field":"data.y0"},"range":"height"}],"marks":[{"type":"symbol","from":{"data":"scatter"},"properties":{"enter":{"size":{"value":20},"shape":{"value":"circle"},"x":{"field":"data.x0","scale":"scatter_x"},"y":{"field":"data.y0","scale":"scatter_y"},"fill":{"value":"blue"}}}}],"axes":[{"type":"x","scale":"scatter_x"},{"type":"y","scale":"scatter_y"}]}'
+    end
+
+    it "should correctly make a scatter plot with default options and multiple x and y data series" do
+      @xdata = [[0,1,2,3,4,16], [10,11,12,13,14,15]]
+      Plotrb::Simple.scatter(@xdata, @ydata).generate_spec.should eq '{"width":640,"height":480,"data":[{"name":"scatter","values":[{"x0":0,"y0":0,"x1":10,"y1":0},{"x0":1,"y0":1,"x1":11,"y1":1},{"x0":2,"y0":4,"x1":12,"y1":8},{"x0":3,"y0":9,"x1":13,"y1":27},{"x0":4,"y0":16,"x1":14,"y1":64},{"x0":16,"y0":25,"x1":15,"y1":125}]}],"scales":[{"name":"scatter_x","type":"linear","domain":{"data":"scatter","field":"data.x0"},"range":"width"},{"name":"scatter_y","type":"linear","domain":{"data":"scatter","field":"data.y0"},"range":"height"}],"marks":[{"type":"symbol","from":{"data":"scatter"},"properties":{"enter":{"size":{"value":20},"shape":{"value":"circle"},"x":{"field":"data.x0","scale":"scatter_x"},"y":{"field":"data.y0","scale":"scatter_y"},"fill":{"value":"blue"}}}},{"type":"symbol","from":{"data":"scatter"},"properties":{"enter":{"size":{"value":20},"shape":{"value":"circle"},"x":{"field":"data.x1","scale":"scatter_x"},"y":{"field":"data.y1","scale":"scatter_y"},"fill":{"value":"blue"}}}}],"axes":[{"type":"x","scale":"scatter_x"},{"type":"y","scale":"scatter_y"}]}'
+    end
+  end
+end
+
+