Vector Plots

[bhemasson]

Hello

A naive question from a newbie, is there an example on how to create a vector plot, I can't seem to find a meaningful one in the help?

Thanks

[jsc]

Assumption is that you have 4 columns of data to start with - x,y position, angle, and magnitude. If in Excel, bring the data in as an XYYY chart. In DPlot, go to Options>Vector Plot, then in the dialog, identify the curve for position in the first box on the left (your x,y pair), then pick the curve for the angle data in the center box, then the magnitude data from the right-hand box.

The confusing thing may be that you are bringing in the angle and magnitude data as a curve to start with.

Hope that helps.

[bhemasson]

Thanks so much, I didn't realize you had to go via Excel!

[jsc]

You don't HAVE to start with Excel, but it may be the easiest place to start so you can understand what is going on. You can bring in data directly through the file open dialog in DPlot - much bigger data files than Excel can plot.

[DPlotAdmin]

I appreciate Jon stepping in here, but like he said: you certainly don't have to start from Excel. He mentioned that simply because that's where most users started from and for many that is the most convenient.

You can read a 4-column text file with X,Y,magnitude,angle values (in any order) or read, one at a time, X-Y, X-magnitude, X-angle files, or use Edit Data to enter points (though this is a bit error-prone unless you're working with a few dozen points or less.)

In any case, if you have problems with this please let me know.