Process Help

PLOTDA - create a scatter plot with symbol sizes proportional to field values

 

Process Name

Menu Path

Link to Command Table

PLOTDA

Command line only

Click here

Introduction

Generates a scatter plot file, where each data point is annotated with a symbol centered on the point.

How to use

The input file should contain just one entry for each location. If it contains more than one, then there will be multiple plots at that location.

Unlike PLOTAN, where the value of a third field is plotted at the point, and therefore there must be this third field, PLOTDA can be used to provide pure X-Y plots without a third field. However, if required, the size of the symbol chosen may be varied according to the value of a third field.


Files, Fields and Parameters

Input Files

Name

Description

I/O Status

Required

Type

IN

Input data file.

Input

Yes

Undefined

PROTO

Plot prototype file. Must contain the fields X, Y, S1, S2 and CODE (numeric, explicit) and XMIN, XMAX, YMIN, YMAX, XSCALE, YSCALE (numeric, implicit). If these last 6 values set in PROTO , then corresponding parameters need not be set.

Input

Yes

Plot Prototype

Output Files

Name

I/O Status

Required

Type

Description

PLOT

Output

Yes

Plot File

Output plot file.

Fields

Name

Description

Source

Required

Type

Default

X

Field to be plotted along X axis.

IN

Yes

Numeric

Undefined

Y

Field to be plotted along Y axis.

IN

Yes

Numeric

Undefined

VALUE

Field to be used for defining symbol size.

IN

No

Any

Undefined

Parameters

Name

Description

Required

Default

Range

Values

VMAX

VALUE value for 2.5 millimetre diameter symbol (2.5).

No

2.5

Undefined

Undefined

SYMBOL

Plotted symbol at point. Default (91). Point symbol number 91 : Circle 92 : Cross [+] 93 : Cross [x] 94 : Triangle 95 : Box 96 : Diamond 97 : Star [ ] 98 : Pie Segment 112 : Hexagon

No

91

Undefined

Undefined

 

Colour [as 'pen' number] for plot (1).

No

1

Undefined

Undefined

APPEND

Plot append flag. If set to 1 then the new plot will be appended to the PLOT file, if it exists and is a valid plot file (0).

No

0

0,1

0,1

XMIN

Minimum value of X for plot. None of XMIN, XMAX, YMIN, YMAX, XSCALE, YSCALE need be set if this information is already in the prototype.

No

Undefined

Undefined

Undefined

XMAX

Maximum value of X for plot.

No

Undefined

Undefined

Undefined

YMIN

Minimum value of Y for plot.

No

Undefined

Undefined

Undefined

YMAX

Maximum value of Y for plot.

No

Undefined

Undefined

Undefined

XSCALE

X scale in user data units per millimetre.

No

Undefined

Undefined

Undefined

YSCALE

Y scale in user data units per millimetre.

No

Undefined

Undefined

Undefined


Notes

On some graphics systems, circle plotting may not be available; a rectangle is used instead.


Example

!PLOTDA  

 &IN(ASSAYS),&PROTO(PLOTPROT),&PLOT(SCATPLOT), @XMIN=0,@XMAX=10,@YMIN=0,@YMAX=15, *X(CU),*Y(AU),*VALUE(DEPTH), @VMAX=100


Error and Warning Messages

Message

Description

Solution

>>> CANNOT APPEND TO NON-EXISTENT OUTPUT FILE.

>>> A NEW OUTPUT FILE WILL BE CREATED

The @APPEND parameter has been set to 1, but the specified plot file does not exist. A new file will be created to contain the new plot being produced.

 

 

 

 

>>> ERROR - CANNOT APPEND TO PLOT FILE AS IT DOES

>>> NOT CONTAIN ALL THE REQUIRED FIELDS.

>>> THE PLOT FILE WILL BE OVERWRITTEN.

The @APPEND parameter has been set to 1, the specified plot file exists but is invalid. The existing plot file will be overwritten by the new plot being produced.

 

 

 

 

>>> FATAL ERROR, BAD SCALE/RANGE COMBINATION(S) <<<

>>> XMIN, XMAX = nnnnnnnnnn.nn nnnnnnnnn.nn

>>> YMIN, YMAX = nnnnnnnnnn.nn nnnnnnnnn.nn

>>> XSCALE, YSCALE = nnnnnnnnnn.nn nnnnnnnnn.nn

Either insufficient scale information had been entered (at least two of XMIN, XMAX, XSCALE or Y equivalents must be entered either from the prototype of from parameters) or the combination given of XMIN, XMAX, and XSCALE (or their Y equivalents) was impossible. Often caused by entering a null plot prototype and no parameters. Fatal; the process is exited.