Plot Page - Contour Data Maps

To view and edit contour data map plot properties, select the map and then click the Plot tab in the Property Manager. You can then change the data file, axes, and worksheet columns and rows; show or hide fill contours and color scales; configure blanking lines and fills; and set or reset levels in the contour data map.

Click one of the Plot page section names in the list below to read more information about the properties in those sections or follow this help topic sequentially to read about each property.

Data

Plot Options

Axes

NOTE: The line properties for NoData regions are specified on the Line page in the NoData Line Properties section. The fill properties for NoData regions are specified on the Fill page in the NoData Fill Properties section.

Set the contour data properties in the Property Manager on the Plot tab.

Plot Type

The Plot type property displays the type of plot.

Data

Worksheet

Click the existing data file path and file name next to Worksheet to select a different data file for the plot. Click on a currently open worksheet or click the Browse option to navigate to a worksheet that is not yet open. Select a different data file in the Open Worksheet dialog, and click the Open button to change the data. The plot automatically updates.

NOTE: The worksheet columns are retained after changing the worksheet. If any of the column options are blank after changing the Worksheet, click on the blank option and select the desired column. A blank next to column means that the column does not exist in the new worksheet.

Select the Data in rows option if your data file is formatted where each row includes one variable. When the Data in rows option is selected, all plot properties that require data values are specified by selecting a data row. This includes variables such as X and Y, data labels, worksheet ranges, etc.  Properties that list column letters will update to list row numbers. When switching from plotting data in columns to plotting data in rows, Grapher may not be able to select the correct rows automatically. Verify the correct rows are selected.

The property descriptions below refer to data columns, but when Data in rows is selected the property lists will include rows.

Variables

Click on the column name next to the X variable, Y variable, and Z variable fields to change the columns used to create the plot. In the list that appears, select the new column. If the first worksheet row contains header information, the header information appears next to the column letter.

NOTE: The worksheet columns are retained after changing the worksheet. If any of the column options are blank after changing the Worksheet, click on the blank option and select the desired column. A blank next to column means that the column does not exist in the new worksheet.

Plot Options

Y Positioning

On XZ contour data maps, the Y positioning adjusts the position of the XZ contour map on the Y axis. This number is expressed as a percentage of the total Y axis length, e.g., an entry of “50%” will position the XZ contour map about halfway up the Y axis.

Overlay

On XZ contour data maps, select a surface map from the list next to Overlay on which to overlay the XZ contour map. Note: the surface map must be part of the same graph as the XZ contour map. To change the Overlay, click on the existing option and select the new option from the list. All surface maps in the existing graph will be listed.

To overlay a contour map and surface map:

  1. Create a contour map using the Home | New Graph | Contour Surface | XZ Contour Data Map or Home | New Graph | Contour Surface | XZ Contour Grid Map or Home | New Graph | Function | XZ Contour Function Map commands.
  2. Add a surface map to the graph using the Graph Tools | Add to Graph | Plot command.
  3. Select a Surface Function Map, Surface Data Map, or Surface Grid Map and click OK.
  4. Select the axes and click OK.
  5. Select the data file or grid file and click Open.
  6. Click on the contour map in the Object Manager or plot window to select it.
  7. In the Property Manager, click on the Plot tab. Change the Overlay to the surface map.
  8. Click on the surface map in the Object Manager or plot window to select it.
  9. In the Property Manager, click on the Plot tab. Set any desired overlay properties.

Axes

Click on the axis name next to the X axis, Y axis, or Z axis fields to change the axes used for the plot. Select another axis name from the list. Alternatively, click Select plots/axis to change the axis used by several plots on a graph at once.

See the Axis - Add to Graph page for information about how to add a new axis to the graph. Once the new axis is added to the graph, it will be available in the X axis, Y axis, or Z axis lists.

See Also

Levels

Contour Data Map