MC’s PLOTXY basic information
MC’s PlotXY (in the following just PlotXY) is a program to create scientific plots from files
produced by simulation programs or laboratory instruments.
It is
thought as a tool for scientists and engineers, and therefore it is optimised
for speed, and built from the ground up as a
tool capable to deal with huge data sets.
PlotXY is
available in the following versions:
-
For
Microsoft Windows operating systems (from Win-XP to Win 10, either 32 or 64
bit)
-
Apple
(MAC) operating systems since 10.7 (Lion)
-
for
Linux 64 bit distributions (first available on January
2018). The Linux AppImage was created and tested on
Ubuntu 16.04 but should work on other recent distributions.
Both
versions have nearly exactly the same functionality. The appearance, however,
is slightly different, since it is coherent with the user interface
recommendations from the operating systems manufacturers, for both systems.
The file
formats it is compatible with are:
-
Binary outputs from Modelica
simulations (made with Dymola or OpenModelica)
-
ATP
binary files (from Alternative Transients Program)
-
MAT
files (fully compatible with Matlab 4.0 format, and partially compatible with
6.0 format)
-
Mat-Modelica
files. They are special mat files
written by Modelica simulation tools, such as Dymola and OpenModelica
-
COMTRADE
files (both binary and textual)
-
LVM
files (output from National Instruments’ Lab-view compatible software)
-
ADF
files (a very simple text file format explicitly defined for PlotXY use)
-
CSV
files (simple comma-separated values file format)
The
fundamental capability of PlotXY is to make line plots, with the following
special characteristics:
-
Plots
can easily have hundreds of thousands of points each, and contain several
curves
-
From
the same set of files different curves can be simultaneously displayed in a
single plot; up to four different plots (each having several curves) can be
managed using the same program instance
-
Not
only can plot data from your files; PlotXY can also create new plots mixing
those data using sums, products, integrals et cetera
-
It
can perform Fourier analysis of a plot and create bar charts for the Fourier
harmonic components.
-
The
produced plots can be exported as images in the system’s clipboard or as a SVG
(scalable Vector Graphics) file. They can also be printed on an actual printer
or as a pdf file
-
Underlying
numerical data can be peeked at directly from the plots
-
New
files can be obtained (in several formats) by saving just a few variables
If you want
to try PlotXY, do the following:
·
Download
the program for the OS of your preference using the “Dwonload”
link on the left menu of this site
·
Install
the program. This is simply done by copying the application file (PlotXY.exe for Microsoft Windows users PlotXY.app for
Apple Mac users, or PlotXY.AppImage for Linux users)
of the PlotXY archive in a directory of choice and
using it. Windows users might find it convenient to create a link to PlotXY.exe
and to put that link wherever they like, for instance in Windows’ desktop. At
this point, to run the program all you have to do is to double-click on
PlotXY.exe or its link. Windows users can also just drag & drop input
file(s) on PlotXY.exe application file or its link.
Linux users may need to make PlotXY.AppImage executable by selecting the execute box on
the Permissions tab of the file Properties; some users may need to set the
Group Access to Read & Write to access network or attached devices.
·
Have
a look at the first pages of file Tutorial.pdf.
This is included in all downloaded packages, and
contains exactly the same content available from thi ssite clicking on the button “Tutorial” in the left menu.
This file explains how to do nearly everything. If by looking these first pages
you find that PlotXY may be useful for you, you are
strongly recommended to follow the whole tutorial, reproducing the supplied
plots using the supplied files (in folder “Data sets”). It will require 30- 40
minutes, but I think it will be a good investment of your time.
·
In
case of need you can consult additional documentation supplied with the
downloaded zip file, included in two file: Input
formats and naming conventions.pdf, which is a description of how different
supported input file types are read, and how names are converted between
different file formats and History and road-map.pdf, which is a rapid résumé of
the past history of PlotXY and programmed developments.
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NOTE. The Windows distribution archive PlotXY contains also the directory named Pro & Object files. It is intended
only for programmers. Any other user can totally ignore this folder, or even
delete it.