A simple plotting library for MATLAB to minimize wasted white space around multiple plots on the same figure.
With the HarryPlotter.m class added to your path, simply call the constructor to create a new figure:
f1 = HarryPlotter("Example Data", 3, 2);
f2 = HarryPlotter(3, 2);
f3 = HarryPlotter("Figure with 1 Row and 1 Column");
f4 = HarryPlotter();
In the first line, the first argument provides a name to the figure. The following arguments specify the number of rows and columns into which the figure is divided. Different ways of calling the constructor are also illustrated. If the number of rows and columns are not provided, they default to one each.
Similar to the subplot function in MATLAB, HarryPlotter allows multiple plots to be added to the same figure in a stack fasion. Additionally, these figures can span multiple grids defined by the number of rows and columns in the figure.
f1.subplot(1, 1, 1, 2);
plot(1:10, 'g');
title('Plot 1');
f1.subplot(2, 1, 2, 1);
plot(-1:-1:-10, 'r');
title('Plot 2');
f1.subplot();
scatter(1:10, zeros(1,10), 'b');
title('Scatter Plot');
xlabel('Sample X Label');
ylabel('Sample Y Label');
f1.subplot(3,2);
plot3(sin(0:pi/50:10*pi), cos(0:pi/50:10*pi), 0:pi/50:10*pi);
title('3D Plot');
f1.update();
Note that all the plots are placed adjacent to each other with a default padding of 10 pixels. This spacing can be configured by modifying the padding property of the class instance.
The .subplot member function creates an axes spanning the desired number of rows and columns, and sets the axes as the current target for subsequent plotting functions. When four arguments are specified, as in f1.subplot(2, 1, 2, 1);, the first two arguments specifiy the row and column, respectively, to begin the axes. The next two arguments specify the height and width of the axes. When the two arguments are omitted, as in f1.subplot(3,2);, the height and width both default to 1. When no arguments are passed in, the axes are created at the next available spot in the figure.
Note that the .update() function should be called to redraw the plots and apply all the changes. When the figure window is resized, this function is automatically called.
The plot can then be saved and exported for use in situations where white space cannot be wasted, such as in two-column papers.
Axes are added to/removed from the figure in a stack fashion. The index into the stack can be used to select a particular axis on which plot, or to delete the axis. Note that axes are 1-indexed.
The HarryPlotter class can also be used in an interactive manner. With the help of the .clear and .clear_all functions, you can delete any existing plots on the current figure.
f1.clear(2, 1, 0, 1);
f1.clear(1, 1);
f1.clear(3);
f1.clear();
Similar to the .subplot functions, a variable number of arguments can be passed in. In four argument mode, .clear removes all plots that are selected by the four parameters. In two argument mode, only the plot at the specified location is removed. When one argument is specified, the argument is treated as the index into the axes stack. And, when no arguments are present, the most recent plot is removed.
Additionally, .clear_all removes all plots on the current figure.
f1.clear_all();
The handle for a particular axis can be retrieved by specifying the axis' index into the axes stack, in order to plot directly to that axis. Note that axes are 1-indexed.
h1 = f1.get_axis(2);
plot(h1, 1:10, 'g');
f1.update();
Created by Jianwei Sun to help anyone who wants to remove annoying white space in MATLAB figures.