29.9.10 Modifying Curve Attributes

The data curves in XY plots and histograms can be represented by any combination of lines and markers. You can modify the attributes of the curves, including the patterns, weights, and colors of the lines, and the symbols, sizes, and colors of the markers. For each type of plot (solution XY, file XY, profile, residual, histogram, etc.), you can set different curve parameters in the Curves dialog box (Figure  29.9.14). Note that the title following Curves in the dialog box indicates which plot environment you are changing (e.g., the Curves - Solution XY Plot dialog box controls curve parameters for solution XY plots).

Figure 29.9.14: The Curves Dialog Box

To open the Curves dialog box for a particular plot type, click the Curves... button in the appropriate dialog box (e.g., Solution XY Plot, File XY Plot, Plot Profile Data, Plot Interpolated Data, or Residual Monitors dialog box).

Using the Curves Dialog Box

The Curves dialog box allows you to independently control the characteristics of each data curve in an XY plot or histogram. To set parameters for a curve, you will follow the procedure below:

1.   Specify the curve for which you want to modify the attributes by increasing or decreasing the Curve # counter. The curves are numbered sequentially, starting from 0. For example, if you were plotting flow-field values on two surfaces, the first surface would be curve 0, and the second, curve 1. If the plot contains only one curve, the Curve # is set to 0 and is not editable.

2.   Set the desired line and/or marker parameters as described below.

3.   Click Apply and then choose another Curve # and repeat the steps, if desired.

Your changes to the curve attributes will appear in the graphics window the next time you generate a plot.

Changing the Line Style

You can control the pattern, color, and weight of the line using the controls under the Line Style heading:

• To set the line pattern for the curve, choose one of the items in the Pattern drop-down list. Except for center and phantom lines, the list displays examples of the pattern choices. A center line alternates a very long dash and a short dash and a phantom line alternates a very long dash and a double short dash. Note that selecting the second item in the drop-down list, represented by 4 short dashes, will result in a solid-line curve.

  If you do not want the data points to be connected by any type of line (i.e., if you plan to use just markers), select the "blank'' choice, which is the first item in the Pattern list.

• To set the color of the line, pick one of the choices in the Color drop-down list.

• To define the line thickness, set the value of Weight. A line weight of 1.0 is normally 1 pixel wide. Therefore, a weight of 2.0 would make the line twice as thick (i.e., 2 pixels wide).

Changing the Marker Style

You can control the symbol, color, and size for the data marker using the controls under the Marker Style heading:

• To set the symbol used to mark data, choose one of the items in the Symbol drop-down list. The list displays examples of the symbol choices. For example, in plotting pressure-coefficient data on the upper and lower surfaces of an airfoil, the symbol /*\ (filled-in upward-pointing triangle) could be used for the marker representing the upper surface data, and the symbol \*/ (filled-in downward-pointing triangle) could be used for the marker representing the lower surface data.

  If you do not want the data points to be represented by markers (i.e., if you plan to use just a line connecting the data points), select the "blank'' choice, which is the first item in the Style list.

• To set the color of the marker, pick one of the choices in the Color drop-down list.

• To define the size of the data marker, set the value of Size. A symbol of size 1.0 is 3.0% of the height of the display screen, except for the ".'' symbol, which is always one pixel.

Previewing the Curve Style

To see what a particular setting will look like in the plot, you can preview it in the Sample window of the Curves dialog box. A single marker and/or line will be shown with the specified style attributes.