Multiplot management

Multiplot

In our definition, a multiplot corresponds to a list of several curves. The Multiplot command allows to create, delete and modify multiplot items. If each module of the Sim-Opt Plugin proposes to plot results in a default format, Multiplot command represents for user a more complete tool that allows for example to plot several curves on the same graphic, to configure the frame parameters, or to save several curves to be used in a Gnuplot file.

Note that the Multiplot dialog provides graphic tools built to facilitate the plot treatments.

Multiplot management dialog

The main dialog is shown in the following figure. The selection tree allows to select multiplot items to apply appropriate commands on.

Add multiplot command

This command may be used to create a new multiplot item in the database by opening the Add/Mod Multiplot dialog (see Add/Mod Multiplot dialog).

Mod multiplot command

This command edits the multiplot item selected. The Add/Mod Multiplot dialog is opened allowing to change the definition of the item (see Add/Mod Multiplot dialog).

Cop multiplot command

This command creates a new multiplot item, by copying the informations contained in the selected multiplot item. The new item can then be edited by means of the Mod multiplot command.

Del multiplot command

This command deletes from the database all the multiplot items selected in the Multiplot items selection tree.

Plot command

This command plots at the same time in the graphics area the curves representing the multiplot items selected in the Multiplot items selection tree.

Sel/Clear command

This command clears selections in the Multiplot items selection tree.

Cancel command

This command closes the Multiplot dialog without further modification to the database.

Add/Mod Multiplot dialog

This dialog, used to create or modify multiplot items that will be plotted, is shown in the next figure.

The proceedings of this dialog consists essentially of :

• firstly, filling the Files textfield by selecting a file (containing simulation output or experimental data), not obviously in the Simulations or in the Experiments selection trees ;

• secondly, defining the number of the columns of the selected file, plotted in X and Y axis and respectively written in the x column and y column textfields ;

• finally, clicking on Add curve button to create a new curve of the current multiplot item.

If user selects a file in the Simulations or in the Experiments selection trees in the upper part of the dialog, the Files textfield in the middle part of the dialog will be automatically filled.

If user wants to modify a defined curve, user has to select the curve in the Curves selection box (the selected curve parameters then appear in the textfields in the middle part of the dialog), to modify parameters, and to click on the Mod curve button.

The name of the multiplot item can be modified in the Name textfield. The default name assigned at creation should be changed to something more meaningful to the user. In the graphics area, the name will appeared as the title of the plot.

The x label and y label textfields allows to respectively define the abscissa and ordinate labels.

The Simulation items selection tree on the left of the dialog and the Experiment items selection tree (which gathers the base, the derived and the composite experiment items) on the right allows to select the item to apply appropriate commands on.

The Files textfield must be filled by the user to select the file that contains the informations to plot. Three different ways allow to select the file. The first one consists of clicking on an item in the upper selection trees ; the name of the item then appears in the Files textfield. The user may directly write the name of the file. Otherwise, the browse button available on the right of the textfield opens a file selection dialog that helps selecting an existing file as shown in the next figure.

The x column and y column textfields must be filled by the user to indicate the number of the columns of the selected file that will be respectively used for the plot in abscissa and ordinate. Note that syntax is for instance $1.

The Range textfield allows to define a function the variables of which are the columns selected in the x column and y column textfields, to restrict the plot range.

The Legend textfield may be used to define the legend of each curve included by the considered multiplot item.

At the bottom on the right in the dialog, the Curves selection box allows to select the curve item to apply appropriate sub-commands on. Note that when created, a new curve item appears in the Curves selection box.

The following sub-commands may be activated from this dialog.

More command

This command can be used to adjust the graphical display parameters to user’s needs. By activating the More command, the user opens the More dialog shown in the next figure.

Two modes of extrema management are allowed, the particular type chosen being specified by means of the checkbox included at the top on the left in the dialog. If the Define user extrema mode is activated, the plot extrema that will be taken into account are those defined by the user in the x min, x max, y min and y max textfields. Otherwise, if the Update plot extrema mode is activated, the plot extrema that will be taken into account are those read in the database for the selected curves.

The x ticks and y ticks can be used to define the number of ticks the user wants respectively on the abscissa and ordinate axis. Default values are respectively 6 and 4.

The No zero checkbox can be used to specify if the origin of the curve, when not available in the actual data, should be included when drawing the plot. Default is off.

The x log scale and y log scale checkboxes can be used to respectively plot the curve with a logarithmic abscissa and ordinate. Default is off.

The Active more checkbox can be used to activate all the informations included in the More dialog. Default is on.

The Go button updates the graphical display parameters of the multiplot item with the informations included in the More dialog.

The Cancel button closes the dialog without further modification to the graphical display parameters of the multiplot item.

Edit file command

This command edits the selected file specified in the Files textfield. Note that the Edit file dialog does not allow to modify the selected file, but it may be used to know how to fill the x column and y column textfields.

Add curve command

When an item is selected in the Simulation or Experiment items selection tree, and the previously described textfields are filled, the Add curve command allows to create a new curve item with the informations included in the dialog.

Mod curve command

This command may be used to modify a curve item already created. The proceedings consists of selecting a curve item in the Curve items selection box, modifying its para-meters in the previously described textfields, and then hitting the Mod curve command.

Cop curve command

This command creates a new curve item, by copying the informations contained in the selected curve item. To edit the new curve item, the user has only to select it since its parameters then appear in the previously described textfields.

Del curve command

This command deletes from the database the curve item selected in the Curve items selection tree.

Go command

This command updates the database with the multiplot item informations included in the dialog.

Plot command

This command plots in the graphics area the curves representing the considered multiplot item.

Gnuplot file command

This command creates the gnuplot file corresponding to the curves representing the considered multiplot item. Note that the created gnuplot file is located in the current directory.

Cancel command

This command closes the Add/Mod Multiplot dialog without further modification to the database.

Example

The next figure illustrates the definition of such a multiplot item.