Schematic line graph: What’s the best method?

[tschirianParticipant]

Whats the best method do prepare a schematic line graph in DataGraph?

So far I tried to invent some data and use fits to connect data points smoothly, is there any good approach?

This is what I am trying to achieve, so far it does not look good:

For the orange line the edges are not smooth, at the black line the y-values at 15 are not straight…

• This topic was modified 4 years, 8 months ago by tschirian.
• This topic was modified 4 years, 8 months ago by tschirian.

[jordanParticipant]

If you have a picture of what you are trying to do, you will probably have more luck getting help in the forum. If not a picture, at least a lot more description with what you are trying to do. If you put a bit more into your question, the support for this app is very good!

[jordanParticipant]

So there are a couple of methods for doing this, but I think it important to know that DataGraph is really meant for plotting data and functions. If you just want to draw arbitrary curves, you may be better served by the “draw with pen” functions in Pages, Keynote or Numbers. The easiest way to do this is to keep all your lines straight and use the plot command, with an x and y column containing every point where you want the lines to change direction as shown:

If you must have curves between points the best way is to use the function command and input functions that have the curve that you are looking for. Make sure to use the range input to limit the function to points where you want your functions to connect. This may leave little gaps where your functions connect. There are two ways to fix this. The easiest way is to plot an x,y list with every point where functions connect with the points command. This will cover up the gaps. Another way to do it is to slightly adjust the range on your functions to slightly extend the function to cover the gap. The points technique is shown at 2, 4 and the range technique is shown at 4,4 on this example:

Here is a screen shot of the commands used to make the graph:

 

I hope that helps…but if you really just want to draw a diagram that doesn’t have to been accurate, I would probably recommend a drawing app and not a plotting app.

 

• This reply was modified 4 years, 8 months ago by wpadmin-com.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 8 months ago by jordan. Reason: grammar

[dgteamModerator]

For one fun example of a schematic drawn using Function commands see the Math Cat video we posted a while back:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcfJQWjNo60&t

Also, we have a command in the beta version of DataGraph that can be used to draw, the Freehand command.  This probably needs a live demo to see how it works, but for now we added a help document to the Knowledge base.

The Freehand command was designed for drawing on top of graphics, not necessary as a drawing tool on its own, but it can do some interesting things.

Would love to have some users try it out!

 

[tschirianParticipant]

@jordan: Thank you for your reply!

I managed now to create a schematic graph by using a combination of DataGraph and Pages. I prepared a graph with an axis and axis titles in DataGraph. The lines for the graph i inserted with Pages.

@dgteam: I am looking forward to try out the Freehand command

Thank you for your help

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