Pyplot : A Graphical Interface for Gnuplot

Got Python?
Gnuplot
ctfmatch is another plotting program, useful for viewing the CTF outputs of SPIDER's TF ED command.

Pyplot is a program, written in Python, that provides a simple interface to gnuplot. The arguments to pyplot are the SPIDER doc files you wish to plot (unix wildcards are allowed): 

    pyplot roo*

A list of data files is presented in a graphical interface. As each file is selected, it is plotted in gnuplot. Clicking on an already selected file deselects it, and removes it from the plot. Here's what it looks like:
































  • The set x range and set y range entry fields permit you to change those values; they're the same as the "set xrange[ : ]" and "set yxrange[ : ]" commands in gnuplot.

  • The set columns entry field specifies which columns in the doc file should be plotted. It is the same as the "using 1:3" command in gnuplot. The default setting is 1:3 (use first and third columns).
           You can plot multiple columns in the same file by using a different column setting for each column, separated by a comma. E.g., set columns: 3:5,3:6 will plot columns 5 and 6 against column 3 (x axis).

    Values typed into the set x range, set y range, and set columns entry fields must be of the form Low:High, where Low and High are numbers seprated by a colon. Either number may be left out to specify the start or end of the data. E.g.,set x range 50: sets the x range from 50 to the highest data point. Set y range :1.0 means use data from the lowest value up to 1.0.

  • The Save button allows the user to save the plot commands to a file. This file can later be loaded into gnuplot.

  • The Clear button clears all current selections. (Due to a bug in the gnuplot "clear" command, it does not fully clear the plot.)

    Running Python

    To run pyplot, you need to be able to run Python. You will need the following line in your .cshrc file: 
    setenv PYTHONPATH "/usr/local/spider/lib/python2.3:/usr/local/spider/lib/python2.3/lib-tk"
    At the unix prompt, type "python". If you see something like the following... 
    % python
Python 2.3.3 (#16, Feb 26 2004, 09:08:23) 
Type "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>
    ...then you're all set. Control-D exits from Python.

    Gnuplot

    An online manual for gnuplot is available at www.gnuplot.info/docs/gnuplot.html.

    Lots of gnuplot links at Gnuplot Central.

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