Ideas for presenting data vs. two variables,

Hi there!

I currently have a beautiful figure that presents data vs. two variables. I went from using Matlab's subplot function to using tiledLayout. I have six tiles. To present data vs. two variables, I use the x-axis for one variable, and I use colors for the second variable. For colors, I use a Matlab colormap and customized it a tad, adding a color to the beginning of the spectrum. tiledLayout lets me use a global colorbar, which is great. I have a seventh plot, which is a separate quiver plot to show the associated vector arrows on an object, and I use Adobe Illustrator to merge this seventh plot with the six tiles. If I wanted to present this data in another way, what would be a good way to do it?

A little while back, I made 3D surface plots in Matlab, using the x- and y-axes for the two variables. However, while the surfaces looked super pretty the communication of information wasn't so great, perhaps. I am revisiting surface plots today, but this time I might choose different variables to use for the x- and y-axes. For 2D plotting, I am using a simplified version of a mathematical model I cooked up. So, each tile has 11 evenly-spaced curves. The curves are simple in shape: think sines and cosines, smooth v-shapes, inverted v-shapes, circles, etc. For instance, one tile might have 11 circles, all positioned differently and sized differently as I sweep through the variables / parameters. Another tile might have 11 sine curves, and these curves might increase or decrease in amplitude, but the frequency appears to be mostly unchanged, and the periodicity appears unchanged.

Thanks in advance,

[Cris LaPierre]

If the information can be difficult to communicate, then it'd be helpful to at least show what your current solution is.

[Noob]

Hi Cris! I just added some more context -- please see above. Thanks!

[Cris LaPierre]

Why not add an image?

[Noob]

Hi Cris!

When I try to add an image, the pdfs aren't clickable.

Should I resave them in another format?

Thanks!

[Cris LaPierre]

You could attach the pdf using tne paperclip icon, or save it using any common image fomat.

[Noob]

Hi Cris! I didn't notice the paperclip icon; I just did it! I look forward to your response.

Thanks!

[Cris LaPierre]

Posting as an image here for others.

[Noob]

Hi Cris,

Choosing different variables to plot against makes better, more communicative surface plots! Pcolor plots look good too. Thanks!

Answer 1

[KALYAN ACHARJYA]

Combining 2D contour plots with superimposed vector fields could be a fantastic alternate strategy. To ensure clarity while maintaining visual effect, you can utilize the x- and y-axes for two variables and contour levels (with a colormap) for the third.

[Noob]

Hi Kalyan! What's your opinion on 3D surface plots? Do you like them?

And, yes, I should relearn contour plots at this point in time and get familiar with them. Superimposing a vector field onto such a plot sounds interesting. Let me think about this; thanks so much!