How to make '.' Markers transparent in a Scatter plot?

In R2016b, I am able to make Point ('.') Markers transparent in a Scatter plot by setting MarkerEdgeAlpha to a value < 1. For example:

%Generate 'n' random samples.
n = 10000;
x = randn(n,1);
y = randn(n,1);
%Plot.
figure
scatter(x, y, 'Marker', '.', 'MarkerEdgeAlpha', 0.5)

However in R2020b, it seems Point Markers can't be transparent. The same code produces:

Is there any way to make Point Markers transparent in a Scatter plot in R2020b, or was this feature deprecated? I'd rather use Point Markers than filled Circle Markers.

Answer 1

[Zachary]

Here's the answer from the Technical Support Case:

The current workaround for this is to use the 'o' marker symbol and divide its size to make it a similar size to the '.' marker symbol. This can be done by adding the following line to the code you sent in:

h = scatter(x, y, 'Marker', 'o', 'MarkerEdgeAlpha', 0.5);
h.SizeData = h.SizeData/9;

Answer 2

[Constantino Carlos Reyes-Aldasoro]

Hello

Just tested this in R2019a and it works as for you, I have not yet upgraded to 2020.

Just an idea, try to grab the handle of the scatter plot

>> hs=scatter(x, y, 'Marker', '.');

Then you can investigate the properties of the handles directly, type hs. and then tab and a window with all the properties will appear, scroll down, in my case I found MarkerEdgeAlpha:

>> hs.MarkerEdgeAlpha
ans =
     1

Which I could modify like this

>> hs.MarkerEdgeAlpha=0.5
hs = 
  Scatter with properties:
             Marker: '.'
    MarkerEdgeColor: 'flat'
    MarkerFaceColor: 'none'
           SizeData: 36
          LineWidth: 0.5000
              XData: [1×10000 double]
              YData: [1×10000 double]
              ZData: [1×0 double]
              CData: [0 0.4470 0.7410]
  Show all properties
>> 

Perhaps you have to modify hs.MarkerFaceAlpha as well?

Hope that helps.

[Zachary]

Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to work. When I try...

%Generate 'n' random samples.
n = 10000;
x = randn(n,1);
y = randn(n,1);
%Plot.
figure
h = scatter(x, y, 'Marker', '.', 'MarkerEdgeAlpha', 0.5, 'MarkerFaceAlpha', 0.5);
get(h, {'MarkerEdgeAlpha' 'MarkerFaceAlpha'})

... I get...

ans =

  1×2 cell array

    {[0.5000]}    {[0.5000]}

It looks like the object properties MarkerEdgeAlpha and MarkerFaceAlpha are correctly set, but when the Marker is '.' (Point), they don't apply.

[Constantino Carlos Reyes-Aldasoro]

Well, then it may be that this has been disabled, try changing to a circle marker of small size. Not the same as a point, but may be the second best.