The QtiPlot Handbook
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# Contour Curves Options

This dialog is activated by clicking on a contour curve (or on the plotting area) when a 3D plot has been created from a matrix with one of the following commands of the Plot 3D menu: Contour+Color Fill command, Countour Lines command or Gray Scale Map command.

Figure 5-15. The Values tab.

The Valuestab allows you to choose the matrix which is the data source of the plot. It is possible to use the formula defined for the matrix in order to calculate the Z values to be displayed, by checking the box Use matrix formula to calculate values. This results in a higher accuracy, especially when drawing the contour lines, but it only works if the formula uses a muParser compatible syntax.

Figure 5-16. The Colors tab.

The first group of settings Image is checked if you want to have a color or gray level filling of the contour plot. The default gray and color maps are the following:

You can customize this colormap by checking the Custom Colors box. A table with a set of numbers (the Z levels) and the corresponding colors is presented. You can then add or delete new levels for the definition of the colormap, and modify the corresponding Z levels. You are not allowed to modify the first and last levels, which are set to the minimum and maximum Z values. Beware that this is only the definition of the colormap, it won't change the number of contour lines of your plot. An example of classical custom colormap is given here:

If you want to obtain discrete colors for each level,you must uncheck the Scale Colors checkbox. In this case you must define enough levels in your colormap.

The second group of settings must be checked if you want to have a bar scale on your plot. You can then define its position and width.

Figure 5-17. The Contour Lines tab.

The Contour Lines tab is used to customize the settings of contour lines. You can select the number of lines and their color. If you check Use Default Pen, the color of the line will follow the settings defined in the group at the left of the checkbox. If you check Use Color Map, the lines will be colored as a function of the Z levels following the colormap defined in the Colors setting tab. If you check Use Table Custom Pen, the color of the line will follow the settings defined in the Pen column of the table displaying the Z levels.

Figure 5-18. The Labels tab.

The Labels tab is used to enable/disable the display of the Z value for each of the contour lines. You can globally customize the color, background, font, rotation and position of the text labels.

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