[comment {-*- tcl -*- doctools manpage}]
[manpage_begin Plotchart n 1.6]
[copyright {2007 Arjen Markus <arjenmarkus@users.sourceforge.net>}]
[moddesc   Plotchart]
[titledesc {Simple plotting and charting package}]
[require Tcl [opt 8.4]]
[require Tk [opt 8.4]]
[require Plotchart [opt 1.6]]

[description]
[para]

Plotchart is a Tcl-only package that focuses on the easy creation of
xy-plots, barcharts and other common types of graphical presentations.
The emphasis is on ease of use, rather than flexibility. The procedures
that create a plot use the entire canvas window, making the layout
of the plot completely automatic.

[para]

This results in the creation of an xy-plot in, say, ten lines of code:

[para]
[example {
    package require Plotchart

    canvas .c -background white -width 400 -height 200
    pack   .c -fill both

    #
    # Create the plot with its x- and y-axes
    #
    set s [::Plotchart::createXYPlot .c {0.0 100.0 10.0} {0.0 100.0 20.0}]

    foreach {x y} {0.0 32.0 10.0 50.0 25.0 60.0 78.0 11.0 } {
        $s plot series1 $x $y
    }

    $s title "Data series"
}]
[para]

A drawback of the package might be that it does not do any data
management. So if the canvas that holds the plot is to be resized, the
whole plot must be redrawn.

The advantage, though, is that it offers a number of plot and chart
types:

[list_begin bullet]

[bullet]
XY-plots like the one shown above with any number of data series.

[bullet]
Stripcharts, a kind of XY-plots where the horizontal axis is adjusted
automatically. The result is a kind of sliding window on the data
series.

[bullet]
Polar plots, where the coordinates are polar instead of cartesian.

[bullet]
Histograms, for plotting statistical information.

[bullet]

Isometric plots, where the scale of the coordinates in the two
directions is always the same, i.e. a circle in world coordinates
appears as a circle on the screen.

[nl]

You can zoom in and out, as well as pan with these plots ([emph Note:]
this works best if no axes are drawn, the zooming and panning routines
do not distinguish the axes), using the mouse buttons with the control
key and the arrow keys with the control key.

[bullet]
Piecharts, with automatic scaling to indicate the proportions.

[bullet]
Barcharts, with either vertical or horizontal bars, stacked bars or
bars side by side.

[bullet]
Timecharts, where bars indicate a time period and milestones or other
important moments in time are represented by triangles.

[bullet]
3D plots (both for displaying surfaces and 3D bars)
[list_end]

With version 1.5 a new command has been introduced: plotconfig, which
can be used to configure the plot options for particular types of plots
and charts (cf. [sectref "CONFIGURATION OPTIONS"])

[section "PLOT CREATION COMMANDS"]

You create the plot or chart with one single command and then fill the
plot with data:

[list_begin definitions]

[call [cmd ::Plotchart::createXYPlot] [arg w] [arg xaxis] [arg yaxis]]

Create a new xy-plot (configuration type: xyplot).

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[arg_def list xaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the x-axis, in this order.
For an inverted axis, where the maximum appears on the left-hand side,
use: maximum, minimum and a [emph negative] stepsize.

[arg_def list yaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the y-axis, in this order.
For an inverted axis, where the maximum appears at the bottom,
use: maximum, minimum and a [emph negative] stepsize.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::createStripchart] [arg w] [arg xaxis] [arg yaxis]]

Create a new strip chart (configuration type: stripchart). The
only difference to a regular XY plot is
that the x-axis will be automatically adjusted when the x-coordinate
of a new point exceeds the maximum.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[arg_def list xaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the x-axis, in this order.
Note that an inverted x-axis is [emph not] supported for this type of plot.

[arg_def list yaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the y-axis, in this order.
For an inverted axis, where the maximum appears at the bottom,
use: maximum, minimum and a [emph negative] stepsize.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::createTXPlot] [arg w] [arg timeaxis] [arg xaxis]]

Create a new time-x-plot (configuration type: txplot). The horizontal axis represents the date/time
of the data and the vertical axis the values themselves.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[arg_def list timeaxis in]
A 3-element list containing the minimum and maximum date/time to be
shown and the stepsize ([emph "in days"]) for the time-axis, in this order.
Note that an inverted time-axis is [emph not] supported.

[arg_def list xaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the
vertical axis, in this order.
For an inverted axis, where the maximum appears at the bottom,
use: maximum, minimum and a [emph negative] stepsize.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::createXLogYPlot] [arg w] [arg xaxis] [arg yaxis]]

Create a new xy-plot where the y-axis has a logarithmic scale (configuration type: xlogyplot).
[nl]
The data should be given as for a linear scale, as the logarithmic transformation
is taken of internally.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[arg_def list xaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the x-axis, in this order.
For an inverted axis, where the maximum appears on the left-hand side,
use: maximum, minimum and a [emph negative] stepsize.

[arg_def list yaxis in]
A 2-element list containing minimum and maximum for the y-axis, in this order.
Note that an inverted logarithmic axis is [emph not] supported.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::createPolarPlot] [arg w] [arg radius_data]]

Create a new polar plot (configuration type: polarplot).

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[arg_def list radius_data in]
A 2-element list containing maximum radius and stepsize for the radial
axis, in this order.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::createIsometricPlot] [arg w] [arg xaxis] [arg yaxis] [arg stepsize]]

Create a new isometric plot, where the vertical and the horizontal
coordinates are scaled so that a circle will truly appear as a circle (configuration type: isometric).

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[arg_def list xaxis in]
A 2-element list containing minimum, and maximum for the x-axis, in this order.

[arg_def list yaxis in]
A 2-element list containing minimum, and maximum for the y-axis, in this order.

[arg_def float|[const noaxes] stepsize in]

Either the stepsize used by both axes or the keyword [const noaxes] to
signal the plot that it should use the full area of the widget, to not
draw any of the axes.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::createHistogram] [arg w] [arg xaxis] [arg yaxis]]

Create a new histogram (configuration type: histogram).

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[arg_def list xaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the x-axis, in this order.

[arg_def list yaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the y-axis, in this order.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::create3DPlot] [arg w] [arg xaxis] [arg yaxis] [arg zaxis]]

Create a new 3D plot.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[arg_def list xaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the x-axis, in this order.

[arg_def list yaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the y-axis, in this order.

[arg_def list zaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the z-axis, in this order.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::createPiechart] [arg w]]

Create a new piechart (configuration type: piechart).

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::createRadialchart] [arg w] [arg names] [arg scale] [arg style]]

Create a new radial chart (the data are drawn as a line connecting the
spokes of the diagram) (configuration type: radialchart).

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[arg_def list names in]
Names for the spokes.

[arg_def float scale in]
Scale value to determine the position of the data along the spokes.

[arg_def float style in]
Style of the chart (optional). One of:
[list_begin bullet]
[bullet]
[emph lines] - the default: draw the data as independent polylines.
[bullet]
[emph cumulative] - draw the data as polylines where the data are
accumulated.
[bullet]
[emph filled] - draw the data as filled polygons where the data are
accumulated
[list_end]

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::createBarchart] [arg w] [arg xlabels] [arg yaxis] [arg noseries]]

Create a new barchart with vertical bars (configuration type: vertbars). The horizontal axis will
display the labels contained in the argument [arg xlabels]. The number
of series given by [arg noseries] determines both the width of the
bars, and the way the series will be drawn.

[nl]

If the keyword [const stacked] was specified the series will be drawn
stacked on top of each other. Otherwise each series that is drawn will
be drawn shifted to the right.

[nl]

The number of series determines the width of the bars, so that there is
space of that number of bars. If you use a floating-point number, like
2.2, instead of an integer, like 2, a small gap between the sets of bars
will be drawn - the width depends on the fractional part.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[arg_def list xlabels in]
List of labels for the x-axis. Its length also determines the number of
bars that will be plotted per series.

[arg_def list yaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the y-axis, in this order.

[arg_def int|[const stacked] noseries in]
The number of data series that will be plotted. This has to be an
integer number greater than zero (if [const stacked] is not used).

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::createHorizontalBarchart] [arg w] [arg ylabels] [arg xaxis] [arg noseries]]

Create a new barchart with horizontal bars (configuration type: horizbars). The vertical axis will
display the labels contained in the argument [arg ylabels]. The number
of series given by [arg noseries] determines both the width of the
bars, and the way the series will be drawn.

[nl]

If the keyword [const stacked] was specified the series will be drawn
stacked from left to right. Otherwise each series that is drawn will
be drawn shifted upward.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[arg_def list ylabels in]
List of labels for the y-axis. Its length also determines the number of
bars that will be plotted per series.

[arg_def list xaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the x-axis, in this order.

[arg_def int|[const stacked] noseries in]
The number of data series that will be plotted. This has to be an
integer number greater than zero (if [const stacked] is not used).

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::create3DBarchart] [arg w] [arg yaxis] [arg nobars]]

Create a new barchart with 3D vertical bars (configuration type: 3dbars). The horizontal axis will
display the labels per bar. The number of bars given by [arg nobars]
determines the position and the width of the bars. The colours can be
varied per bar. (This type of chart was inspired by the Wiki page on 3D
bars by Richard Suchenwirth.)

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[arg_def list yaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the y-axis, in this order.

[arg_def int nobars in]
The number of bars that will be plotted.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::create3DRibbonChart] [arg w] [arg names] [arg yaxis] [arg zaxis]]

Create a new "ribbon chart" (configuration type: 3dribbon). This is
a chart where the data series are
represented as ribbons in a three-dimensional axis system. Along the
x-axis (which is "into" the screen) the names are plotted, each
representing a single series. The first plot command draws the furthest
series, the second draws the series in front of that and so on.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[arg_def widget w in]
Names of the series, plotted as labels along the x-axis

[arg_def list yaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the y-axis
(drawn horizontally!), in this order.

[arg_def list zaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the z-axis
(drawn vertically), in this order.

[arg_def int nobars in]
The number of bars that will be plotted.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::createBoxplot] [arg w] [arg xaxis] [arg ylabels]]

Create a new boxplot with horizontal boxes (box-and-whiskers). The
y-axis is drawn with labels. The boxes are drawn based on the raw data
(see the plot subcommand for this type of plot).

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[arg_def list xaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the y-axis, in this order.

[arg_def list ylabels in]
List of labels for the y-axis. Its length also determines the number of
boxes that can be plotted. The labels are also used in the plot
subcommand.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::createTimechart] [arg w] [arg time_begin] [arg time_end] [arg args]]

Create a new timechart (configuration type: timechart).

The time axis (= x-axis) goes from [arg time_begin] to [arg time_end],
and the vertical spacing is determined by the number of items to plot.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[arg_def string time_begin in]
The start time given in a form that is recognised by the [cmd "clock scan"]
command (e.g. "1 january 2004").

[arg_def string time_end in]
The end time given in a form that is recognised by the [cmd "clock scan"]
command (e.g. "1 january 2004").

[arg_def arguments args in]
The remaining arguments can be:
[list_begin bullet]
[bullet]
The expected/maximum number of items. This determines the vertical
spacing. (If given, it must be the first argument after "time_end"
[bullet]
The keyword -barheight and the number of pixels per bar. This is an
alternative method to determine the vertical spacing.
[bullet]
The keyword -ylabelwidth and the number of pixels to reserve for the
labels at the y-axis.
[list_end]

[list_end]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::createGanttchart] [arg w] [arg time_begin] [arg time_end] [arg args]]

Create a new Gantt chart (configuration type: ganttchart).

The time axis (= x-axis) goes from [arg time_begin] to [arg time_end],
and the vertical spacing is determined by the number of items to plot.
Via the specific commands you can then add tasks and connections between
the tasks.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[arg_def string time_begin in]
The start time given in a form that is recognised by the [cmd "clock scan"]
command (e.g. "1 january 2004").

[arg_def string time_end in]
The end time given in a form that is recognised by the [cmd "clock scan"]
command (e.g. "1 january 2004").

[arg_def arguments args in]
The remaining arguments can be:
[list_begin bullet]
[bullet]
The expected/maximum number of items. This determines the vertical
spacing. (If given this way, it must be the first argument after "time_end")
[bullet]
The expected/maximum width of the descriptive text (roughly in characters,
for the actual space reserved for the text, it is assumed that a
character is about ten pixels wide). Defaults to 20. (If given this way,
it must be the second argument after "time_end").
[bullet]
The keyword -barheight and the number of pixels per bar. This is an
alternative method to determine the vertical spacing.
[bullet]
The keyword -ylabelwidth and the number of pixels to reserve for the
labels at the y-axis.
[list_end]

[list_end]

[call [cmd ::Plotchart::createRightAxis] [arg w] [arg yaxis]]

Create a plot command that will use a right axis instead of the left
axis (configuration type: inherited from the existing plot). The widget
(w) must already contain an ordinary plot, as the
horizontal axis and other properties are reused. To plot data using the
right axis, use this new command, to plot data using the [emph left]
axis, use the original plot command.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the [emph existing] canvas widget to hold the plot.

[arg_def list yaxis in]
A 3-element list containing minimum, maximum and stepsize for the y-axis, in this order.

[list_end]
[nl]

[list_end]

[section "PLOT METHODS"]

Each of the creation commands explained in the last section returns
the name of a new object command that can be used to manipulate the
plot or chart. The subcommands available to a chart command depend on
the type of the chart.

[para]

General subcommands for all types of charts. $anyplot is the command
returned by the creation command:

[list_begin definitions]
[call [cmd \$anyplot] title [arg text]]

Specify the title of the whole chart.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string text in]
The text of the title to be drawn.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$anyplot] saveplot [arg filename] [arg args]]

Draws the plot into a file, using PostScript.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string filename in]
Contain the path name of the file to write the plot to.

[arg_def list args in]
Optionally you can specify the option -format "some picture format" to
store the plot in a different file than a PostScript file. This,
however, relies on the Img package to do the actual job.
[nl]
[emph Note:]
Because the window holding the plot must be fully visible before Img can
successfully grab it, it is raised first.
On some systems, for instance Linux with KDE, raising
a window is not done automatically, but instead you need to click on the
window in the task bar. Similar things happen on Windows XP.
[nl]
There seems to be something wrong under some circumstances, so instead
of waiting for the visibility of the window, the procedure simply waits
two seconds. It is not ideal, but it seems to work better.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$anyplot] xtext [arg text]]

Specify the title of the (horizontal) x-axis, for those plots that have
a straight x-axis.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string text in]
The text of the x-axis label to be drawn.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$anyplot] ytext [arg text]]

Specify the title of the (horizontal) y-axis, for those plots that have
a straight y-axis.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string text in]
The text of the y-axis label to be drawn.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$anyplot] xconfig [option -option] [arg value] ...]

Set one or more configuration parameters for the x-axis.

The following options are supported:

[list_begin opt]

[opt_def format fmt]
The format for the numbers along the axis.

[opt_def ticklength length]
The length of the tickmarks (in pixels).

[opt_def ticklines boolean]
Whether to draw ticklines ([const true]) or not ([const false]).

[opt_def scale scale_data]
New scale data for the axis, i.e. a 3-element list containing minimum,
maximum and stepsize for the axis, in this order.

[nl]
[emph Beware:] Setting this option will clear all data from the plot.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$anyplot] yconfig [option -option] [arg value] ...]

Set one or more configuration parameters for the y-axis. This method
accepts the same options and values as the method [method xconfig].


[call [cmd \$anyplot] background [arg part] [arg colour_or_image] [arg dir]]

Set the background of a part of the plot

[list_begin arg]

[arg_def string part]
Which part of the plot: "axes" for the axes area and "plot" for the
inner part. The interpretation depends on the type of plot. Two further
possibilities are:
[list_begin bullet]
[bullet]
[emph image], in which case a predefined image is loaded
into the background of the plot.
[bullet]
[emph gradient], in which case the background is coloured in different
shades of the given colour. The "dir" argument specifies the direction
in which the colour gets whiter.
[list_end]

[arg_def string colour_or_image]
Colour for that part or the name of the image if "part" is "image"

[arg_def string dir]
The direction of the gradient. One of: top-down, bottom-up, left-right
or right-left.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$anyplot] xticklines [arg colour]]

Draw vertical ticklines at each tick location

[list_begin arg]

[arg_def string colour]
Colour of the lines. Specifying an empty colour ("") removes them again.
Defaults to "black"

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$anyplot] yticklines [arg colour]]

Draw horizontal ticklines at each tick location

[list_begin arg]

[arg_def string colour]
Colour of the lines. Specifying an empty colour ("") removes them again
Defaults to "black"

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$anyplot] legendconfig [option -option] [arg value] ...]

Set one or more options for the legend. The legend is drawn as a
rectangle with text and graphics inside.

[list_begin opt]

[opt_def background colour]
Set the colour of the background (the default colour is white).
Set to the empty string for a transparant legend.

[opt_def border colour]
Set the colour of the border (the default colour is white). Set to the
empty string if you do not want a border.

[opt_def canvas c]
Draw the legend in a different canvas widget. This gives you the freedom
to position the legend outside the actual plot.

[opt_def position corner]
Set the position of the legend. May be one of: top-left, top-right,
bottom-left or bottom-right. (Default value is top-right.)

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$anyplot] legend [arg series] [arg text]]

Add an entry to the legend. The series determines which graphical
symbol is to be used. (As a side effect the legend is actually drawn.)

[list_begin arg]

[arg_def string series]
Name of the data series. This determines the colour of the line and the
symbol (if any) that will be drawn.

[arg_def string text]
Text to be drawn next to the line/symbol.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$anyplot] balloon [arg x] [arg y] [arg text] [arg dir]]

Add balloon text to the plot (except for 3D plots). The arrow will point
to the given x- and y-coordinates. For xy-graphs and such, the
coordinates are directly related to the axes; for vertical barcharts the
x-coordinate is measured as the number of bars minus 1 and similar for
horizontal barcharts.

[list_begin arg]

[arg_def float x]
X-coordinate of the point that the arrow of the balloon will point to.

[arg_def float y]
Y-coordinate of the point that the arrow of the balloon will point to.

[arg_def string text]
Text to be drawn in the balloon.

[arg_def string dir]
Direction of the arrow, one of: north, north-east, east, south-east,
south, south-west, west or north-west.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$anyplot] balloonconfig [arg args]]

Configure the balloon text for the plot. The new settings will be used
for the next balloon text.

[list_begin opt]

[opt_def font fontname]
Font to be used for the text

[opt_def justify left|center|right]
Way to justify multiline text

[opt_def textcolour colour]
Colour for the text (synonym: textcolor)

[opt_def background colour]
Background colour for the balloon

[opt_def outline colour]
Colour of the outline of the balloon

[opt_def margin value]
Margin around the text (in pixels)

[opt_def rimwidth value]
Width of the outline of the balloon (in pixels)

[opt_def arrowsize value]
Length factor for the arrow (in pixels)

[list_end]
[nl]


[list_end]
[para]

[emph Note:] The commands [method xconfig] and [method yconfig] are
currently implemented only for XY-plots
and only the option [option -format] has any effect.

[para]

For [emph {xy plots}], [emph stripcharts], [emph histograms] and
[emph time-x-plots]:

[list_begin definitions]
[call [cmd \$xyplot] plot [arg series] [arg xcrd] [arg ycrd]]

Add a data point to the plot.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string series in]
Name of the data series the new point belongs to.

[arg_def float xcrd in]
X-coordinate of the new point. (For time-x plots this must be valid
date/time that can be read with the [emph "clock scan"] command).

[arg_def float ycrd in]
Y-coordinate of the new point.

[list_end]
[list_end]
[para]

[emph "Note on histograms:"]
[para]
For histograms the x-coordinate that is given is interpreted to be
the x-coordinate of the [emph right] side of the bar. The first
bar starts at the y-axis on the left. To completely fill the range
of the x-axis, you should draw a bar at the maximum x-coordinate.

[para]
For [emph {xy plots}]:

[list_begin definitions]
[call [cmd \$xyplot] trend [arg series] [arg xcrd] [arg ycrd]]

Draw or update a trend line using the data given sofar.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string series in]
Name of the data series the trend line belongs to.

[arg_def float xcrd in]
X-coordinate of the new data point

[arg_def float ycrd in]
Y-coordinate of the new data point
[list_end]

[call [cmd \$xyplot] rchart [arg series] [arg xcrd] [arg ycrd]]

Draw data in the same way as the plot method, but with two lines added
that indicate the expected range (+/- 3*standard deviation) of the data.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string series in]
Name of the data series the data point belongs to.

[arg_def float xcrd in]
X-coordinate of the new data point

[arg_def float ycrd in]
Y-coordinate of the new data point
[list_end]


[call [cmd \$xyplot] interval [arg series] [arg xcrd] [arg ymin] [arg ymax] [opt ycentr]]

Add a vertical error interval to the plot. The interval is drawn from
ymin to ymax. If the ycentr argument is given, a symbol is drawn at that
position.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string series in]
Name of the data series the interval belongs to.

[arg_def float xcrd in]
X-coordinate of the interval

[arg_def float ymin in]
Minimum y-coordinate of the interval.

[arg_def float ymax in]
Maximum y-coordinate of the interval.

[arg_def float ycentr in]
Y-coordinate to draw the symbol at (optional)

[list_end]


[call [cmd \$xyplot] box-and-whiskers [arg series] [arg xcrd] [arg ycrd]]

Draw a box and whiskers in the plot. If the argument [term xcrd] is a
list of
several values and the argument [term ycrd] is a single value, a
horizontal
box is drawn with the quartiles determined from the list of values
contained in [term xcrd].
[nl]
If, instead, the argument [term ycrd] contains a list of several values
and the argument [term xcrd] a single value, then a vertical box is
drawn and the quartiles are determined from [term ycrd]. (There must be
exactly one list of several values. Otherwise an error is reported.)
[nl]
The option -boxwidth (default: 10 pixels) determines the width (or
height) of the box.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string series in]
Name of the data series the box-and-whiskers belongs to.

[arg_def float xcrd in]
X-coordinate of the box or a list of values.

[arg_def float ymin in]
Y-coordinate of the box or a list of values.

[list_end]


[call [cmd \$xyplot] vector [arg series] [arg xcrd] [arg ycrd] [arg ucmp] [arg vcmp]]

Draw a vector in the plot. The vector can be given as either cartesian
coordinates or as length/angle, where the angle is in degrees and is
interpreted according to the mathematical convention or the nautical.
(See the vectorconfig subcommand)

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string series in]
Name of the series the vector belongs to. Determines the appearance and
interpretation.

[arg_def float xcrd in]
X-coordinate of the point where the arrow appears

[arg_def float ycrd in]
Y-coordinate of the point where the arrow appears

[arg_def float ucmp in]
X-component or the length of the vector

[arg_def float ycentr in]
Y-component or the angle of the vector

[list_end]


[call [cmd \$xyplot] vectorconfig [arg series] [option -option] [arg value] ...]]

Set the vector drawing options for a particular series

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string series in]
Name of the series the vector belongs to.
[list_end]

The options can be one of the following:
[list_begin opt]
[opt_def colour]
The colour of the arrow (default: black; synonym: color)
[opt_def scale value]
The scale factor used to convert the length of the
arrow into a number of pixels (default: 1.0)
[opt_def centred onoff]
Logical value indicating that the xy-coordinates
are to be used as the start of the arrow or as the centre (default: 0;
synonym: centered)
[opt_def type keyword]
Interpretation of the vector components. Can be "cartesian"
(default), in which case the x- and y-components are expected, "polar"
(the angle 0 coincides with the positive x-axis, 90 coincides with the
positive y-axis) or "nautical" (0 is "north" and 90 is "east").
[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$xyplot] dot [arg series] [arg xcrd] [arg ycrd] [arg value]]

Draw a dot in the plot. The size and colour is determined by the value
and by the options set for the series it belongs to.
(See the dotconfig subcommand)

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string series in]
Name of the series the dot belongs to. Determines size and colour

[arg_def float xcrd in]
X-coordinate of the point where the arrow appears

[arg_def float ycrd in]
Y-coordinate of the point where the arrow appears

[arg_def float value in]
Value determining size and colour

[list_end]


[call [cmd \$xyplot] dotconfig [arg series] [option -option] [arg value] ...]]

Set the dot drawing options for a particular series

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string series in]
Name of the series the dot belongs to.
[list_end]

The options can be one of the following:
[list_begin opt]
[opt_def colour]
The colour of the dot if no scaling is used or the value exceeds the
last limit of the classes.
[opt_def scale value]
The scale factor used to convert the value into the radius of the dot
in pixels (default: 1.0)
[opt_def radius value]
The default radius of the dots, used if there is no scaling by value
(in pixels; default: 3)
[opt_def scalebyvalue onoff]
Determines whether the dots all have the same size or a size depending
on the given value (default: on).
[opt_def outline onoff]
Draw a black circle around the dot or not (default: on)
[opt_def classes list]
Set the limits and the corresponding colours. For instance:
[example {
    $xyplot series1 -classes {0 blue 1 green} -colour red
}]
will cause a blue dot to be drawn for values smaller than 0, a green dot
for values larger/equal 0 but lower than 1 and a red dot for values
larger/equal 1.
[nl]
If there is no list of classes for the particular series, the dots are
scaled by the value.
[nl]
You can combine the colouring by value and the scaling by value by
setting a list of classes and setting the [emph scalebyvalue] option on.
[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$xyplot] contourlines [arg xcrd] [arg ycrd] [arg values] [opt classes]]

Draw contour lines for the values given on the grid. The grid is defined
by the xcrd and ycrd arguments (they give the x- and y-coordinates of
the grid cell corners). The values are given at these corners. The
classes determine which contour lines are drawn. If a value on one of
the corners is missing, the contour lines in that cell will not be
drawn.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def list xcrd in]
List of lists, each value is an x-coordinate for a grid cell corner

[arg_def list ycrd in]
List of lists, each value is an y-coordinate for a grid cell corner

[arg_def list values in]
List of lists, each value is the value at a grid cell corner

[arg_def list classes in]
List of class values or a list of lists of two elements (each inner list
the class value and the colour to be used). If empty or missing, the
classes are determined automatically.
[nl]
[emph Note:] The class values must enclose the whole range of values.
[nl]

[list_end]

[call [cmd \$xyplot] contourfill [arg xcrd] [arg ycrd] [arg values] [opt classes]]

Draw filled contours for the values given on the grid. (The use of this
method is identical to the "contourlines" method).

[call [cmd \$xyplot] contourbox [arg xcrd] [arg ycrd] [arg values] [opt classes]]

Draw the cells as filled quadrangles. The colour is determined from
the average of the values on all four corners.

[call [cmd \$xyplot] colorMap [arg colours]]

Set the colours to be used with the contour methods. The argument is
either a predefined colourmap (grey/gray, jet, hot or cool)
or a list of colours. When selecting the colours for actually drawing the
contours, the given colours will be interpolated (based on the HLS scheme).

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def list colours in]
List of colour names or colour values or one of the predefined maps:
[list_begin bullet]
[bullet]
grey or gray: gray colours from dark to light
[bullet]
jet: rainbow colours
[bullet]
hot: colours from yellow via red to darkred
[bullet]
cool: colours from cyan via blue to magenta
[list_end]

[list_end]

[call [cmd \$xyplot] grid [arg xcrd] [arg ycrd]]

Draw the grid cells as lines connecting the (valid) grid points.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def list xcrd in]
List of lists, each value is an x-coordinate for a grid cell corner

[arg_def list ycrd in]
List of lists, each value is an y-coordinate for a grid cell corner

[list_end]


[list_end]
[para]

For [emph {polar plots}]:

[list_begin definitions]
[call [cmd \$polarplot] plot [arg series] [arg radius] [arg angle]]

Add a data point to the polar plot.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string series in]
Name of the data series the new point belongs to.

[arg_def float radius in]
Radial coordinate of the new point.

[arg_def float angle in]
Angular coordinate of the new point (in degrees).

[list_end]
[list_end]
[para]

For [emph {3D plots}]:

[list_begin definitions]
[call [cmd \$plot3d] plotfunc [arg function]]

Plot a function defined over two variables [var x] and [var y].

The resolution is determined by the set grid sizes (see the method
[method gridsize] for more information).

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string function in]
Name of the procedure that calculates the z-value for the given x and
y coordinates. The procedure has to accept two float arguments (x is
first argument, y is second) and return a floating-point value.

[list_end]
[nl]

[call [cmd \$plot3d] plotfuncont [arg function] [arg contours]]

Plot a function defined over two variables [var x] and [var y] using
the contour levels in [var contours] to colour the surface.

The resolution is determined by the set grid sizes (see the method
[method gridsize] for more information).

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string function in]
Name of the procedure that calculates the z-value for the given x and
y coordinates. The procedure has to accept two float arguments (x is
first argument, y is second) and return a floating-point value.

[arg_def list contours in]
List of values in ascending order that represent the contour levels
(the boundaries between the colours in the contour map).

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$plot3d] gridsize [arg nxcells] [arg nycells]]

Set the grid size in the two directions. Together they determine how
many polygons will be drawn for a function plot.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def int nxcells in]
Number of grid cells in x direction. Has to be an integer number
greater than zero.

[arg_def int nycells in]
Number of grid cells in y direction. Has to be an integer number
greater than zero.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$plot3d] plotdata [arg data]]

Plot a matrix of data.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def list data in]
The data to be plotted. The data has to be provided as a nested list
with 2 levels. The outer list contains rows, drawn in y-direction, and
each row is a list whose elements are drawn in x-direction, for the
columns. Example:

[nl]
[example {
    set data {
    {1.0 2.0 3.0}
    {4.0 5.0 6.0}
    }
}]

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$plot3d] colours [arg fill] [arg border]]

Configure the colours to use for polygon borders and inner area.

[list_begin arg]

[arg_def color fill in]
The colour to use for filling the polygons.

[arg_def color border in]
The colour to use for the border of the polygons.

[list_end]
[list_end]
[para]

For [emph {xy plots}], [emph stripcharts] and [emph {polar plots}]:

[list_begin definitions]
[call [cmd \$xyplot] dataconfig [arg series] [option -option] [arg value] ...]

Set the value for one or more options regarding the drawing of data of
a specific series.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string series in]
Name of the data series whose configuration we are changing.

[list_end]
[nl]

The following options are allowed:

[list_begin opt]
[opt_def colour c]
[opt_def color c]
The colour to be used when drawing the data series.

[opt_def type enum]
The drawing mode chosen for the series.
This can be one of [const line], [const symbol], or [const both].

[opt_def symbol enum]

What kind of symbol to draw. The value of this option is ignored when
the drawing mode [const line] was chosen. This can be one of

[const plus], [const cross], [const circle], [const up] (triangle
pointing up), [const down] (triangle pointing down), [const dot]
(filled circle), [const upfilled] or [const downfilled] (filled
triangles).

[opt_def filled enum]

Whether to fill the area above or below the data line or not. Can be one
of: [const no], [const up] or [const down] ([sectref "SPECIAL EFFECTS"])

[opt_def fillcolour colour]

Colour to use when filling the area associated with the data line.

[list_end]
[list_end]
[para]

For [emph piecharts]:

[list_begin definitions]
[call [cmd \$pie] plot [arg data]]

Fill a piechart.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def list data in]
A list of pairs (labels and values). The values determine the relative
size of the circle segments. The labels are drawn beside the circle.

[list_end]

[call [cmd \$pie] colours [arg colour1] [arg colour2] ...]

Set the colours to be used.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def color colour1 in]
The first colour.

[arg_def color colour2 in]
The second colour, and so on.

[list_end]
[list_end]
[para]

For [emph "radial charts"]:

[list_begin definitions]
[call [cmd \$radial] plot [arg data] [arg colour] [arg thickness]]

Draw a new line in the radial chart

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def list data in]
A list of data (one for each spoke). The values determine the distance
from the centre of the line connecting the spokes.

[arg_def color colour in]
The colour for the line.

[arg_def int thickness in]
An optional argument for the thickness of the line.

[list_end]

[call [cmd \$pie] colours [arg colour1] [arg colour2] ...]

Set the colours to be used.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def color colour1 in]
The first colour.

[arg_def color colour2 in]
The second colour, and so on.

[list_end]
[list_end]
[para]

For [emph {vertical barcharts}]:

[list_begin definitions]
[call [cmd \$barchart] plot [arg series] [arg ydata] [arg colour]]

Add a data series to a barchart.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string series in]
Name of the series the values belong to.

[arg_def list ydata in]
A list of values, one for each x-axis label.

[arg_def color colour in]
The colour of the bars.

[list_end]
[list_end]
[para]

For [emph {horizontal barcharts}]:

[list_begin definitions]
[call [cmd \$barchart] plot [arg series] [arg xdata] [arg colour]]

Add a data series to a barchart.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string series in]
Name of the series the values belong to.

[arg_def list xdata in]
A list of values, one for each y-axis label.

[arg_def color colour in]
The colour of the bars.

[list_end]
[list_end]
[para]

For [emph {3D barcharts}]:

[list_begin definitions]
[call [cmd \$barchart] plot [arg label] [arg yvalue] [arg colour]]

Add the next bar to the barchart.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string label in]
The label to be shown below the column.

[arg_def float yvalue in]
The value that determines the height of the column

[arg_def color colour in]
The colour of the column.

[list_end]

[call [cmd \$barchart] config [option -option] [arg value] ...]

Set one or more configuration parameters. The following options are
supported:

[list_begin opt]

[opt_def usebackground boolean]
Whether to draw walls to the left and to the back of the columns or not

[opt_def useticklines boolean]
Whether to draw ticklines on the walls or not

[opt_def showvalues boolean]
Whether to show the values or not

[opt_def labelfont newfont]
Name of the font to use for labels

[opt_def labelcolour colour]
Colour for the labels

[opt_def valuefont newfont]
Name of the font to use for the values

[opt_def valuecolour colour]
Colour for the values

[list_end]

[list_end]
[para]

For [emph {3D ribbon charts}]:

[list_begin definitions]
[call [cmd \$ribbon] line [arg xypairs] [arg colour]]

Plot the given xy-pairs as a ribbon in the chart

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def list xypairs in]
The pairs of x/y values to be drawn (the series is drawn as a whole)

[arg_def color colour in]
The colour of the ribbon.

[list_end]

[call [cmd \$ribbon] area [arg xypairs] [arg colour]]

Plot the given xy-pairs as a ribbon with a filled area in front. The
effect is that of a box with the data as its upper surface.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def list xypairs in]
The pairs of x/y values to be drawn (the series is drawn as a whole)

[arg_def color colour in]
The colour of the ribbon/area.

[list_end]
[list_end]


For [emph boxplots]:

[list_begin definitions]
[call [cmd \$boxplot] plot [arg label] [arg values]]

Add a box-and-whisker to the plot.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string label in]
The label along the y-axis to which the data belong

[arg_def list values in]
List of raw values, the extent of the box and the whiskers will be
determined from this list.

[list_end]
[list_end]


For [emph timecharts]:

[list_begin definitions]
[call [cmd \$timechart] period [arg text] [arg time_begin] [arg time_end] [arg colour]]

Add a time period to the chart.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string text in]
The text describing the period.

[arg_def string time_begin in]
Start time of the period.

[arg_def string time_end in]
Stop time of the period.

[arg_def color colour in]
The colour of the bar (defaults to black).

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$timechart] milestone [arg text] [arg time] [arg colour]]

Add a [term milestone] (represented as an point-down triangle) to the
chart.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string text in]
The text describing the milestone.

[arg_def string time in]
Time at which the milestone must be positioned.

[arg_def color colour in]
The colour of the triangle (defaults to black).

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$timechart] vertline [arg text] [arg time]]

Add a vertical line (to indicate the start of the month for instance)
to the chart.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string text in]
The text appearing at the top (an abbreviation of the
date/time for instance).

[arg_def string time in]
Time at which the line must be positioned.

[list_end]


[call [cmd \$timechart] hscroll [arg scrollbar]]

Connect a horizontal scrollbar to the chart. See also the section on
scrolling.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget scrollbar in]
The horizontal scrollbar that is to be connected to the chart

[list_end]


[call [cmd \$timechart] vscroll [arg scrollbar]]

Connect a vertical scrollbar to the chart. See also the section on
scrolling.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget scrollbar in]
The vertical scrollbar that is to be connected to the chart

[list_end]

[list_end]
[para]

For [emph "Gantt charts"]:

[list_begin definitions]
[call [cmd \$ganttchart] task [arg text] [arg time_begin] [arg time_end] [arg completed]]

Add a task with its period and level of completion to the chart. Returns
a list of canvas items that can be used for further manipulations, like
connecting two tasks.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string text in]
The text describing the task.

[arg_def string time_begin in]
Start time of the task.

[arg_def string time_end in]
Stop time of the task.

[arg_def float completed in]
The percentage of the task that is completed.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$ganttchart] milestone [arg text] [arg time] [arg colour]]

Add a [term milestone] (represented as an point-down triangle) to the
chart.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string text in]
The text describing the milestone.

[arg_def string time in]
Time at which the milestone must be positioned.

[arg_def color colour in]
The colour of the triangle (defaults to black).

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$ganttchart] vertline [arg text] [arg time]]

Add a vertical line (to indicate the start of the month for instance)
to the chart.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string text in]
The text appearing at the top (an abbreviation of the
date/time for instance).

[arg_def string time in]
Time at which the line must be positioned.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$ganttchart] connect [arg from] [arg to]]

Add an arrow that connects the [emph from] task with the [emph to] task.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def list from in]
The list of items returned by the "task" command that represents the
task from which the arrow starts.
[arg_def string text in]
The text summarising the tasks

[arg_def list args in]
One or more tasks (the lists returned by the "task" command). They are
shifted down to make room for the summary.

[arg_def list to in]
The list of items returned by the "task" command that represents the
task at which the arrow ends.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$ganttchart] summary [arg text] [arg args]]

Add a summary item that spans all the tasks listed. The graphical
representation is a thick bar running from the leftmost task to the
rightmost.
[nl]
Use this command before connecting the tasks, as the arrow would not be
shifted down!

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string text in]
The text summarising the tasks

[arg_def list args in]
One or more tasks (the lists returned by the "task" command). They are
shifted down to make room for the summary.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$ganttchart] color [arg keyword] [arg newcolor]]

Set the colour of a part of the Gantt chart. These colours hold for all
items of that type.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string keyword in]
The keyword indicates which part of the Gantt chart to change:
[list_begin bullet]
[bullet]
description - the colour of the descriptive text
[bullet]
completed - the colour of the filled bar representing the completed part
of a task
[bullet]
left - the colour for the part that is not yet completed
[bullet]
odd - the background colour for the odd entries
[bullet]
even - the background colour for the even entries
[bullet]
summary - the colour for the summary text
[bullet]
summarybar - the colour for the bar for a summary
[list_end]

[arg_def string newcolor in]
The new colour for the chosen items.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$ganttchart] font [arg keyword] [arg newfont]]

Set the font of a part of the Gantt chart. These fonts hold for all
items of that type.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string keyword in]
The keyword indicates which part of the Gantt chart to change:
[list_begin bullet]
[bullet]
description - the font used for descriptive text
[bullet]
summary - the font used for summaries
[bullet]
scale - the font used for the time scale
[list_end]

[arg_def string newfont in]
The new font for the chosen items.

[list_end]


[call [cmd \$ganttchart] hscroll [arg scrollbar]]

Connect a horizontal scrollbar to the chart. See also the section on
scrolling.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget scrollbar in]
The horizontal scrollbar that is to be connected to the chart

[list_end]


[call [cmd \$ganttchart] vscroll [arg scrollbar]]

Connect a vertical scrollbar to the chart. See also the section on
scrolling.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget scrollbar in]
The vertical scrollbar that is to be connected to the chart

[list_end]
[list_end]
[para]

For [emph {isometric plots}] (to be extended):

[list_begin definitions]
[call [cmd \$isoplot] plot rectangle [arg x1] [arg y1] [arg x2] [arg y2] [arg colour]]

Plot the outlines of a rectangle.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def float x1 in]
Minimum x coordinate of the rectangle to be drawn.

[arg_def float y1 in]
Minimum y coordinate of the rectangle.

[arg_def float x2 in]
Maximum x coordinate of the rectangle to be drawn.

[arg_def float y2 in]
Maximum y coordinate of the rectangle.

[arg_def color colour in]
The colour of the rectangle.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$isoplot] plot filled-rectangle [arg x1] [arg y1] [arg x2] [arg y2] [arg colour]]

Plot a rectangle filled with the given colour.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def float x1 in]
Minimum x coordinate of the rectangle to be drawn.

[arg_def float y1 in]
Minimum y coordinate of the rectangle.

[arg_def float x2 in]
Maximum x coordinate of the rectangle to be drawn.

[arg_def float y2 in]
Maximum y coordinate of the rectangle.

[arg_def color colour in]
The colour of the rectangle.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$isoplot] plot circle [arg xc] [arg yc] [arg radius] [arg colour]]

Plot the outline of a circle.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def float xc in]
X coordinate of the circle's centre.

[arg_def float yc in]
Y coordinate of the circle's centre.

[arg_def color colour in]
The colour of the circle.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd \$isoplot] plot filled-circle [arg xc] [arg yc] [arg radius] [arg colour]]

Plot a circle filled with the given colour.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def float xc in]
X coordinate of the circle's centre.

[arg_def float yc in]
Y coordinate of the circle's centre.

[arg_def color colour in]
The colour of the circle.

[list_end]
[list_end]
[para]

There are a number of public procedures that may be useful in specific
situations: [emph "Pro memorie"].


[section {COORDINATE TRANSFORMATIONS}]

Besides the commands that deal with the plots and charts directly,
there are a number of commands that can be used to convert world
coordinates to pixels and vice versa.

These include:

[list_begin definitions]

[call [cmd ::Plotchart::viewPort] [arg w] [arg pxmin] [arg pymin] [arg pxmax] [arg pymax]]

Set the viewport for window [arg w]. Should be used in cooperation
with [cmd ::Plotchart::worldCoordinates].

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the window (canvas widget) in question.

[arg_def float pxmin in]
Left-most pixel coordinate.

[arg_def float pymin in]
Top-most pixel coordinate (remember: the vertical pixel coordinate
starts with 0 at the top!).

[arg_def float pxmax in]
Right-most pixel coordinate.

[arg_def float pymax in]
Bottom-most pixel coordinate.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::worldCoordinates] [arg w] [arg xmin] [arg ymin] [arg xmax] [arg ymax]]

Set the extreme world coordinates for window [arg w]. The world
coordinates need not be in ascending order (i.e. xmin can be larger
than xmax, so that a reversal of the x-axis is achieved).

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the window (canvas widget) in question.

[arg_def float xmin in]
X-coordinate to be mapped to left side of viewport.

[arg_def float ymin in]
Y-coordinate to be mapped to bottom of viewport.

[arg_def float xmax in]
X-coordinate to be mapped to right side of viewport.

[arg_def float ymax in]
Y-coordinate to be mapped to top side of viewport.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::world3DCoordinates] [arg w] [arg xmin] [arg ymin] [arg zmin] [arg xmax] [arg ymax] [arg zmax]]

Set the extreme three-dimensional world coordinates for window
[arg w]. The world coordinates need not be in ascending order (i.e. xmin
can be larger than xmax, so that a reversal of the x-axis is
achieved).

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the window (canvas widget) in question.

[arg_def float xmin in]
X-coordinate to be mapped to front side of the 3D viewport.

[arg_def float ymin in]
Y-coordinate to be mapped to left side of the viewport.

[arg_def float zmin in]
Z-coordinate to be mapped to bottom of viewport.

[arg_def float xmax in]
X-coordinate to be mapped to back side of viewport.

[arg_def float ymax in]
Y-coordinate to be mapped to right side of viewport.

[arg_def float zmax in]
Z-coordinate to be mapped to top side of viewport.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::coordsToPixel] [arg w] [arg x] [arg y]]

Return a list of pixel coordinates valid for the given window.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the window (canvas widget) in question.

[arg_def float x in]
X-coordinate to be mapped.

[arg_def float y in]
Y-coordinate to be mapped.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::coords3DToPixel] [arg w] [arg x] [arg y] [arg z]]

Return a list of pixel coordinates valid for the given window.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the window (canvas widget) in question.

[arg_def float x in]
X-coordinate to be mapped.

[arg_def float y in]
Y-coordinate to be mapped.

[arg_def float y in]
Z-coordinate to be mapped.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::polarCoordinates] [arg w] [arg radmax]]

Set the extreme polar coordinates for window [arg w]. The angle always
runs from 0 to 360 degrees and the radius starts at 0. Hence you only
need to give the maximum radius.

[emph Note:] If the viewport is not square, this procedure will not
adjust the extremes, so that would result in an elliptical plot. The
creation routine for a polar plot always determines a square viewport.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the window (canvas widget) in question.

[arg_def float radmax in]
Maximum radius.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::polarToPixel] [arg w] [arg rad] [arg phi]]

Wrapper for a call to [cmd ::Plotchart::coordsToPixel], which assumes
the world coordinates and viewport are set appropriately. Converts
polar coordinates to pixel coordinates.

[emph Note:] To be useful it should be accompanied by a matching
[cmd ::Plotchart::worldCoordinates] procedure. This is automatically
taken care of in the creation routine for polar plots.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the window (canvas widget) in question.

[arg_def float rad in]
Radius of the point.

[arg_def float phi in]
Angle to the positive x-axis.

[list_end]
[nl]


[call [cmd ::Plotchart::pixelToCoords] [arg w] [arg x] [arg y]]

Return a list of world coordinates valid for the given window.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the window (canvas widget) in question.

[arg_def float x in]
X-pixel to be mapped.

[arg_def float y in]
Y-pixel to be mapped.

[list_end]

[call [cmd ::Plotchart::pixelToIndex] [arg w] [arg x] [arg y]]

Return the index of the pie segment containing the pixel coordinates
(x,y)

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
Name of the window (canvas widget) in question, holding a piechart.

[arg_def float x in]
X-pixel to be mapped.

[arg_def float y in]
Y-pixel to be mapped.

[list_end]
[list_end]
[para]

Furthermore there is a routine to determine "pretty" numbers for use
with an axis:

[list_begin definitions]
[call [cmd ::Plotchart::determineScale] [arg xmin] [arg xmax] [arg inverted]]

Determine "pretty" numbers from the given range and return a list
containing the minimum, maximum and stepsize that can be used for a
(linear) axis.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def float xmin in]
Rough minimum value for the scaling

[arg_def float xmax in]
Rough maximum value for the scaling.

[arg_def boolean inverted in]
Optional argument: if 1, then the returned list produces an
inverted axis. Defaults to 0 (the axis will be from minimum to maximum)

[list_end]
[list_end]


[section {MISSING VALUES}]
Often data that need to be plotted contain gaps - in a series of
measurement data, they can occur because the equipment failed, a sample
was not collected correctly or for many other reasons. The
[emph Plotchart] handles these gaps by assuming that one or both
coordinates of such data points are an empty string:

[example {
    #
    # Create the plot with its x- and y-axes
    #
    set s [::Plotchart::createXYPlot .c {0.0 100.0 10.0} {0.0 100.0 20.0}]

    foreach {x y} {0.0 32.0 10.0 {} 25.0 60.0 78.0 11.0 } {
        $s plot series1 $x $y
    }
}]

The effect varies according to the type of plot:

[list_begin bullet]
[bullet]
For xy-plots, radial plots and strip charts the missing data point
causes a gap in the line through the points.
[bullet]
For barchats, missing values are treated as if a value of zero was
given.
[bullet]
For time charts and Gantt charts missing values cause errors - there is
no use for them there.
[list_end]


[section {OTHER OUTPUT FORMATS}]

Besides output to the canvas on screen, the module is capable, via
[cmd {canvas postscript}], of producing PostScript files. One may wonder
whether it is possible to extend this set of output formats and the
answer is "yes". This section tries to sum up the aspects of using this
module for another sort of output.
[para]
One way you can create output files in a different format, is by
examining the contents of the canvas after everything has been drawn and
render that contents in the right form. This is probably the easiest
way, as it involves nothing more than the re-creation of all the
elements in the plot that are already there.
[para]
The drawback of that method is that you need to have a display, which is
not always the case if you run a CGI server or something like that.
[para]
An alternative is to emulate the canvas command. For this to work, you
need to know which canvas subcommands are used and what for. Obviously,
the [emph create] subcommand is used to create the lines, texts and
other items. But also the [emph raise] and [emph lower] subcommands are
used, because with these the module can influence the drawing order -
important to simulate a clipping rectangle around the axes. (The routine
DrawMask is responsible for this - if the output format supports proper
clipping areas, then a redefinition of this routine might just solve
this).
[para]
Furthermore, the module uses the [emph cget] subcommand to find out the
sizes of the canvas. A more mundane aspect of this is that the module
currently assumes that the text is 14 pixels high and that 80 pixels in
width suffice for the axis' labels. No "hook" is provided to customise
this.
[para]
In summary:
[list_begin bullet]
[bullet]
Emulate the [emph create] subcommand to create all the items in the
correct format

[bullet]
Emulate the [emph cget] subcommand for the options -width and -height to
allow the correct calculation of the rectangle's position and size

[bullet]
Solve the problem of [emph raising] and [emph lowering] the items so
that they are properly clipped, for instance by redefining the
routine DrawMask.

[bullet]
Take care of the currently fixed text size properties

[list_end]


[section {SPECIAL EFFECTS}]

As an example of some special effects you can achieve, here is the
code for a plot where the area below the data line varies in colour:

[example {
canvas .c  -background white -width 400 -height 200
pack .c -fill both

set s [::Plotchart::createXYPlot .c {0.0 100.0 10.0} {0.0 100.0 20.0}]

$s background gradient green top-down

$s dataconfig series1 -filled up -fillcolour white

$s plot series1  0.0 20.0
$s plot series1 10.0 20.0
$s plot series1 30.0 50.0
$s plot series1 35.0 45.0
$s plot series1 45.0 25.0
$s plot series1 75.0 55.0
$s plot series1 100.0 55.0

$s plaintext 30.0 60.0 "Peak" south
}]

The trick is to fill the background with a colour that changes from
green at the top to white at the bottom. Then the area above the data
line is filled with a white polygon. Thus the green shading varies with
the height of the line.

[section {ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT}]

In this version there are a lot of things that still need to
be implemented:

[list_begin bullet]
[bullet]
More robust handling of incorrect calls (right now the procedures may
fail when called incorrectly):

[list_begin bullet]
[bullet]
The axis drawing routines can not handle inverse axes right now.

[bullet]
If the user provides an invalid date/time string, the routines simply
throw an error.

[list_end]
[list_end]


[section RESIZING]

[package Plotchart] has not been designed to create plots and charts
that keep track of the data that are put in. This means that if an
application needs to allow the user to resize the window holding the
plot or chart, it must take care to redraw the complete plot.

[para]
The code below is a simple example of how to do that:

[example {
package require Plotchart

grid [canvas .c -background white] -sticky news
grid columnconfigure . 0 -weight 1
grid rowconfigure . 0 -weight 1

bind .c <Configure> {doResize}

proc doPlot {} {
    #
    # Clean up the contents (see also the note below!)
    #
    .c delete all

    #
    # (Re)draw the bar chart
    #
    set p [::Plotchart::createBarchart .c {x y z} {0 100 10} 3]
    $p plot R {10 30 40} red
    $p plot G {30 40 60} green
}

proc doResize {} {
    global redo

    #
    # To avoid redrawing the plot many times during resizing,
    # cancel the callback, until the last one is left.
    #
    if { [info exists redo] } {
        after cancel $redo
    }

    set redo [after 50 doPlot]
}}]


[emph "Please note:"]
The code above will work fine for barcharts and many other types of
plots, but as [package Plotchart] keeps some private information for
xy plots, more is needed in these cases. This actually requires a
command "destroyPlot" to take care of such details. A next version
of [package Plotchart] will have that.


[section "ZOOMING IN"]

As the Plotchart package does not keep track of the data itself,
rescaling an existing plot - for instance when zooming in - would have
to be done by redefining the plot and redrawing the data. However, the
canvas widget offers a way out by scaling and moving items, so that
zooming in becomes a bit simpler.

[para]
Whether zooming is indeed useful, depends on the type of plot. Currently
it is defined for XY-plots only. The method is called "rescale" and
simply redraws the axes and scales and moves the data items so that they
conform to the new axes. The drawback is that any symbols are scaled by
the same amount. The rescale method works best for plots that only have
lines, not symbols.

[para]
The method works very simply:

[example {
   $p rescale {newxmin newxmax newxstep} {newymin newymax newystep}
}]


[section "CONFIGURATION OPTIONS"]

The command plotconfig can be used to set all manner of options. The
syntax is:

[list_begin definitions]

[call [cmd ::Plotchart::plotconfig] [arg charttype] [arg component] [arg property] [arg value]]

Set a new value for the property of a component in a particular chart or
plot type or query its current value. Each argument is optional.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def string charttype in]
The type of chart or plot (see the configuration type that is mentioned
for each create command). If not given or empty, a list of chart types
is returned. If it is given, the properties for that particular type are
used.

[arg_def string component in]
The component of the plot/chart: leftaxis, rightaxis, background, margin
and so on. If not given or empty, a list of components is returned. If
it is given, the properties for that particular component will be set
for that particular type of chart.

[arg_def string property in]
The property of the component of the plot/chart: textcolor, thickness of
the axis line, etc. If not given or empty, a list of properties is returned. If
it is given, that particular property for that particular component
will be set for that particular type of chart.

[arg_def string value in]
The new value for the property. If empty, the current value is returned.
If the value is "default", the default value will be restored.
[nl]
Note, that in some cases an empty value is useful. Use "none" in this
case - it can be useful for colours and for formats.

[list_end]
[list_end]

Below is a more detailed list of the components and properties:

[list_begin bullet]

[bullet]
Axes come in a wide variety:

[list_begin bullet]
[bullet]
leftaxis, rightaxis, topaxis, bottomaxis for the plots with a
rectangular shape.
[bullet]
xaxis, yaxis and zaxis are used for the 3D plots
[bullet]
axis, this represents the radial and tangential axes of a polar plot
[list_end]

All axes have the following properties:

[list_begin bullet]

[bullet]
color - the colour of the line and the tickmarks
[bullet]
thickness - the width of the line of the axis itself, not the tickmarks
[bullet]
ticklength - the length of the tickmarks in pixels. A positive value is
outward, a negative value is inward.
[bullet]
font - the font for the labels and the text at the axis
[bullet]
format - the format for rendering the (numerical) labels. For the time
axis it is the format for a date and time.
[bullet]
textcolor - the colour for the labels and the text.

[list_end]

[bullet]
The [emph margin] is important for the layout. Currently only the
rectangular plots allow the margins to be set: left, right, top and bottom.
The values are in pixels.

[bullet]
The [emph text] component is meant for any text appearing via the
plaintext subcommand. The properties are: textcolor, font and anchor
(positioning of the text relative to the given coordinates).

[bullet]
The [emph background] has two properties: outercolor, the colour outside
of the actual plot, and innercolor, the colour inside the plot. (Note:
only "outercolor" has now been implemented).

[bullet]
The [emph legend] has three properties: background, border and position.
See the legend subcommand for the meaning.

[list_end]

See the examples in plotdemos7.tcl for it use.


[section "SCROLLING FOR TIMECHARTS AND GANTT CHARTS"]

For two types of plots automatic scrolling management has been
implemented: timecharts and Gantt charts. The subcommands [term hscroll]
and [term vscroll] associate (existing) scrollbars to the plot, in much
the same way as for text and canvas widgets.

[para]
Once the association is made, the scrollbars are automatically
updated if:
[list_begin bullet]
[bullet]
You add an item with a period wider than the current one.
[bullet]
You add a vertical line for a time beyond the current bounds.
[bullet]
You add an extra item beyond the number that was used to create the
chart.
[list_end]

For instance:

[example {
package require Plotchart

canvas .c -width 400 -height 200
scrollbar .y -orient vertical
scrollbar .x -orient horizontal

grid .c .y -sticky news
grid .x    -sticky news

source plotchart.tcl

set s [::Plotchart::createTimechart .c "1 january 2004" \
                                       "31 december 2004" 4]

$s period "Spring" "1 march 2004" "1 june 2004" green
$s period "Summer" "1 june 2004" "1 september 2004" yellow
$s vertline "1 jan" "1 january 2004"
$s vertline "1 apr" "1 april 2004"
$s vertline "1 jul" "1 july 2004"
$s vertline "1 oct" "1 october 2004"
$s vertline "1 jan" "1 january 2005"
$s vertline "1 apr" "1 april 2005"
$s vertline "1 jul" "1 july 2005"
$s milestone "Longest day" "21 july 2004"
$s milestone "Longest day 2" "21 july 2004"
$s milestone "Longest day 3" "21 july 2004"
$s milestone "Longest day 4" "21 july 2004"
$s milestone "Longest day 5" "21 july 2004"
$s milestone "Longest day 6" "21 july 2004"
$s title "Seasons (northern hemisphere)"

$s vscroll .y
$s hscroll .x
}]

The original extent of the chart is from 1 january 2004 to 31 december
2004. But because of the addition of vertical lines in 2005 and
more items than was specified at the creation of the chart, both the
horizontal and the vertical scrollbar will be enabled.


[section "ARRANGING MULTIPLE PLOTS IN A CANVAS"]

The command [term plotpack] allows you to copy the contents of a plot
into another canvas widget. This canvas widget does not act as a
composite plot, but it can be saved as a PostScript file for instance:

Note: the command simply takes a snapshot of the plots/charts as they
are at that moment.

[list_begin definitions]

[call [cmd ::Plotchart::plotpack] [arg w] [arg dir] [arg args]]

Copy the contents of the plots/charts into another widget, in a manner
similar to the [term pack] geometry manager.

[list_begin arg]
[arg_def widget w in]
The name of the canvas widget to copy the plots/charts into

[arg_def string dir in]
The direction of the arrangement - top, left, bottom or right

[arg_def list args in]
List of plots/charts to be copied.

[list_end]
[list_end]

For example:
[example {
    set p1 [createXYPlot ...]
    set p2 [createBarchart ...]

    ... fill the plots ...

    toplevel .t
    pack [canvas .t.c2 -width ...]

    #
    # Copy the two plots above each other in the new canvas
    #
    plotpack .t.c2 top $p1 $p2
}]

[section {NOTES ON TAGS}]
P.M.



[section {TODO - SOME PRIVATE NOTES}]

I have the following wishlist:

[list_begin bullet]
[bullet]
Isometric plots - allow new items to be implemented easily.

[bullet]
A general 3D viewer - emphasis on geometry, not a ray-tracer.

[bullet]
Several improvements for boxplots:
[list_begin bullet]
[bullet]
Height of the box scales with the logarithm of the number of points
[bullet]
Marker line to indicate a "current" value
[bullet]
Box drawn from quantiles
[list_end]

[list_end]


[keywords {graphical presentation} plotting charts {xy-plots}]
[keywords {bar charts} {strip charts} {polar plots}]
[keywords {isometric plots} {pie charts} {time charts}]
[keywords {3D surfaces} {3D bars} {coordinates}]
[keywords {coordinate transformations}]
[manpage_end]