®

CyFlex LoggerPlot

January 2012

Overview

LoggerPlot displays time-based graphs of selected variables from CyFlex “floger” data log files.  The program is one of a suite of CyFlex® plotting applications, including Stripchart, HistoryPlot, and XYPlot.

LoggerPlot displays a column of rectangular Plot Areas in Graphs that render traces of selected variables previously “logged” (recorded) by the CyFlex test system.  A single LoggerPlot application may be configured into a stack of up to 8 Graphs, with up to 8 Traces in each Graph.

Each Graph has a Time Axis of selected duration, as well as left and optionally right Y Axes with selectable ranges.  These ranges may also be changed interactively with the mouse to pan or zoom in both time (X) and value (Y) directions.

You may change the various configuration settings in a floating Configuration dialog, save configurations, and later reload them as desired.  The dialog lets you change a wide variety of plot attributes – which CyFlex Variables to plot, their colors, patterns, gridlines, axis scales and increments, label fonts and font sizes, etc.  Stored plot data may be exported to a CSV-formatted file for analysis and charting in a standalone spreadsheet.

LoggerPlot joins the other CyFlex plotting applications to deliver graphics at the test console – graphics that can help to assess the performance characteristics of the test article.  It is based on the same graphics software and hardware as the Operator Display and shares much of the display and user features with the other plotting applications.

    Features

The current LoggerPlot Release 1.0 provides a full complement of graphics functionality, including the following sets of features:

Uses for LoggerPlot

·         Standalone application displays selected Graphs in a vertical stack

·         Application may be started from CyFlex menu or from command line with optional configuration file

Plotting Capabilities

·         Each instance has 1-8 Graphs, each with 1-8 Traces of CyFlex Variable values versus time recorded in the  selected logger file; data sampling rate and resolution are already set in the logger file

·         Assign a CyFlex Variable to a Trace from a list that is automatically populated with the Variable names in the logger file

·         Drag mouse to “pan” (scroll) plot in X and Y directions

·         Drag mouse to “zoom” (magnify) plot in X and Y directions

·         Select the color, pattern, and thickness of a Trace and display a Legend of Traces by color on each Graph

·         Select a Trace to “auto range” – adjust the range of the Y axis assigned to it so that all of its data is displayed

·         Select the range, text label, color, and pattern for the Time axis, and the left and optional right Y Axes

·         Select the number of gridlines and tick marks of the Grid and their line color, pattern, and thickness

Configuration Settings

·         Configuration “specs” can be saved or loaded by filename

·         Plot attributes may be changed interactively: right-click anywhere in window to launch floating Configuration dialog

·         Change attributes of the plot Traces for each Graph, including line color, pattern, and thickness

·         Change attributes of the gridlines for each Graph, including color and pattern

·         Configuration changes may be “applied” (Apply button) on trial and then accepted (OK button) or canceled (Cancel button)

·         Add a Trace, remove a Trace, or copy/paste a Trace in each Graph

Program Utilities

·         Launch the Help browser with persistent, expandable contents tree and HTML-based help and user manual content

·         Mouse over a window component to display its Tool Tip

·         Export entire data buffer to a text file formatted for spreadsheets

Any and all of these features may be employed from the Menu Bar, the Button Row, or the Configuration Dialog.

    Terminology

The following terms should be helpful in discussing what LoggerPlot can do and how it works. Refer to the annotated drawing below to identify them in the LoggerPlot Main Window.


·         Main Windowthe complete window that appears when the application starts

·         Configuration the plot settings that dictate the function and appearance of the Main Window and its Graphs.  The settings may be changed in the Configuration dialog and then saved to and loaded from a configuration file

·         Configuration Dialoga floating dialog window for configuring the various settings that manage the plot functionality

·         Graphthe basic plot display panel that includes the graphical plots, axes, labels, and auxiliary buttons.  The LoggerPlot window is comprised of a column of one or more Graphs, numbered with 1 at the top.

·         Channela CyFlex Variable selected for plotting, including its numeric value, name, and units

·         Plot Areathe primary rectangular portion of the Graph that displays the plot of the selected CyFlex Variable Channels, including the value Traces, the gridlines and their labels, and the axis titles

·         Frame the border of the Main Window that includes the Title and Subtitle fields at the top and the Note field at the bottom

·         Tracethe continuous plot of the numeric values for one Channel, displayed in the Plot Area.

·         Axesthe horizontal / time scale (Time) and the vertical / value scale(s) (Y) at the perimeter of the Plot Area, including numeric value labels and gridlines.

·         Time Axisthe horizontal axis that displays the time over which the Channel values are plotted

·         Y Axesthe vertical axes that display scales for selected Channels at the left edge (Left Y Axis) and optionally the right edge (Right Y Axis) of the Plot Area

·         Grid the set of horizontal and vertical lines in the Plot Area that give numeric reference to the Traces

·         Button Rowthe horizontal row of active buttons above the top left corner of the Plot Area for Pan, Zoom, and Export

·         Legendthe horizontal row of Trace identifiers above the top right corner of the Plot Area to match CyFlex Variable names with Trace colors

·         Data Window the panel in the Plot Tab of the Configuration file in which you can specify the time period for the logger data available for plotting.  When you select the logger file, data is read for each Channel you have chosen for the Graph.  You can use the Data Window to focus on one of the following options:

1.    All Data (Default) -- the time period for all of the data in the logger file,

2.    Timeenter the start and end times, or

3.    Record # -- enter the start and end record numbers in the logger file

    Main Window Layout

Purpose

The Main Window is the primary window for the application that is displayed on startup.  Other “dialog” floating windows can be launched from it.

Graph

The Main Window is composed of a vertical stack of one or more Graphs displayed as fixed rectangular panels.  Each Graph is an independent instance of the basic LoggerPlot.  Their vertical alignment allows them to align their Time Axes and scales.  However, the Time Axis is displayed in each panel and they may have different durations if desired.

Plot Area

In each Graph there is a rectangular Plot Area in which the connected line Traces of the chosen CyFlex Variable are rendered across the horizontal Time Axis.  It includes horizontal and vertical gridlines and tick marks for the axis scales.

Menus

The Main Window has standard pulldown menus in the top left window border for File and Help.  The former provides data exporting, saving and loading configuration settings, and exiting the program.  The latter launches the Help dialog browser.

Button Row

Each Graph has a row of action buttons at the top left edge of its Plot Area:

·         Pan – toggles start and stop panning

·         Zoom – start successive zoom in, then stepped zoom out or zoom reset, and stop zoom

·         Export – write Data Storage contents for this Graph to a spreadsheet file

·         Open Configuration Dialog – write Data Buffer contents for this graph to a spreadsheet

Legend

Each Graph has a row of Legend graphics at the top right edge of its Plot Area.  Each Legend shows a CyFlex Variable name with the selected Trace color.

Frame

The Main Window area outside of the Graphs displays user selectable text for a Title, a Subtitle, and a Note. 

    Configuration Dialog Layout

Purpose

The Configuration dialog is a floating dialog window launched from the Main Window that lets you select valid options for plotting attributes

Graph Tabs

The dialog has a column of Graph Tabs on its left margin, one tab for each Graph specified, plus an “All” tab to display the attributes of all Graphs at once.

Feature Tabs

The dialog has a row of three Feature Tabs on its top margin:

Plot tab -- organized as a spreadsheet table.  Each row describes a Trace of one CyFlex Variable.  Each column corresponds to a plot attribute, such as Variable name, Trace color, left or right Y axis, etc.  The lower panel provides logger file and time selections.


Axes taborganized as a spreadsheet table.  The rows describe the vertical Left and Right Y Axes and the horizontal Time Axis.  Each column corresponds to an axis attribute, such as range, color, and number of gridlines.


Frame tabdisplays fields for setting the text and font of the Title, Subtitle, and Note in the Frame of the Main Window, as well as show / hide the Legend and select the background color on all graphs, show / hide the Title, Subtitle and Note fields, turn condense controls of the Main Window on / off for all Graphs


Buttons

The dialog has a row of buttons on its bottom margin:

·         OK accept the setting changes and close the dialog

·         Apply try the current settings and keep the dialog open

·         Cancel cancel the setting changes and close the dialog

    Program Requirements

·         LoggerPlot operates as part of the CyFlex test automation system.  CyFlex must be running on the test system to create the logger data files that LoggerPlot requires for plotting.

·         The system hardware must be sufficiently robust to execute the standard CyFlex operations.

·         The test system must have graphics hardware adequate to support version 1.3 or later of the OpenGL cross-platform applications programming interface (API) for computer graphics and driver support.

·         High-resolution monitors are recommended for display accuracy.

    Constraints

The following constraints and limitations must be imposed on the LoggerPlot configuration and operation:

Variable typesCyFlex Variables may be selected for plotting by name.  Real, Integer, and Logical Variables are currently supported and displayed automatically in the CyFlex Variable Names pulldown list on the Plot tab of the Configuration dialog.

Number of GraphsLoggerPlot supports up to eight Graphs in its vertical “stack” format

·         The program ignores attempts to add more than eight Graphs in the Configuration dialog.

Number of Traces per GraphLoggerPlot supports up to eight Traces, one for each CyFlex Variable selected, in any one Graph. 

·         Together with the limit of eight Graphs per program instance, you may select up to 64 Traces at once.

·         The program ignores attempts to add more than eight Traces in the Plot tab of the Configuration dialog.

Data StorageLoggerPlot is limited to the data recorded in the selected logger file

·         The Export Data to CSV File button in the top left margin of the Graph writes the entire contents of the Data Storage buffer to a spreadsheet file.

    LoggerPlot Operations

In this section we provide step-by-step explanations of how to operate LoggerPlot and use its various features.

Starting and Stopping

How to Start the LoggerPlot Program

You can start the application in several standard ways:

·         from the LoggerPlot icon on the console monitor:

        LoggerPlot

·         from the command line:

qtloggerplot

·         from a test mode in a General Purpose gp_test script:

@BACKGROUND_TASK

AT_START “qtloggerplot”

Important!The program will use the default configuration at startup unless you select a different one in the command line.

How to Exit the LoggerPlot Program

You can exit the program from the File menu at top left in the Main Window:

File > Exit

 


·         The program will prompt to save the current configuration to a file.

·         The program will stop and the Main Window will disappear.

How to Start Plotting

·         LoggerPlot displays channel traces after you select the logger data file and channel Variables by name in the Configuration dialog.

·         The program initially loads all of the logger data for the selected channels into Data Storage and displays it.

Plot Settings

How to Select the Logger Data File

You can select the logger file that has stored the data you want to plot in the bottom of the Plot tab:

1.    Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area to launch the Configuration dialog

2.    Select the Plot tab in the dialog

3.    Click the File Selection … button at the bottom of the tab


4.    When the Select Logger File dialog is displayed, select the logger filename in /data/PC_format/


The Logger File field indicates the current logger file selected.

5.    Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration dialog to make the change.

How to Select CyFlex Variables to Plot

You can select which CyFlex Variables to plot from a pulldown list:

1.    Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area to launch the Configuration dialog

2.    Select the Plot tab in the dialog

3.    Click in the CyFlex Variable Name field in the desired row.  Each row displays the attributes of the Trace of one Variable

4.    Enter the Variable Name:

·         Click in the Name field, scroll to your selection, and click on it, or

·         Enter the first few characters of the desired Name.  The list will display only matching choices for you to select.


The Name of the CyFlex Variable you have selected to plot is displayed in the field, along with its current units of measure in brackets.

5.    Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration dialog to make the change.

How to Set the Time Range of the Data Plot

You can specify the range of time for the data to plot in several ways, depending on the type of the timestamp recorded in the logger file:

1.    Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area

2.    Select the Plot tab in the Configuration dialog

3.    After you select the logger file, LoggerPlot will indicate in which Time Type the file is recorded:

Absolutetime has been recorded in the full Date and Time timestamp, e.g. 07/04/2076 10:30:00 [mm/dd/year hh:mm:ss]

Relativetime has been recorded in seconds from the first sample, e.g. 312.425 [sec]

Note: If the Time Type is shown as Absolute, you may click the Relative button if you want to specify the Start and End times in seconds from the first sample.

4.    Click one of the three options in the Data Window panel to store and plot the data for the selected Channels:

All Datathe full time range for all of the data in the logger file (default)

Time -- the time range specified in the Start and End time fields, either Absolute or Relative

Record # -- the time range corresponding to the Start and End fields for record numbers in the data file


 

The Start and End fields show the current start and end times for the data storage and plotting.

5.    Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration dialog to make the change.

How to Add or Remove a Trace in a Graph

You can add or remove a Trace from the Configuration dialog:

1.    Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area

2.    Select the Plot tab in the Configuration dialog

3.    Right-click on the integer row # button immediately to the left of the CyFlex Variable Name field to show the Trace Options menu


4.    To add a Trace:

a.    Select Add Row in the menu to display a new row with default settings

b.    Select the settings for the new Trace in the row fields

5.    To remove a Trace:

·         Select Delete Row in the menu to remove the row and its Trace in the Graph

6.    Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration dialog to make the change

Important!adding a new Trace or removing one is limited to the bottom row

How to Add or Remove a Graph in the Main Window

You can add or remove an entire Graph from the vertical “stack” of Graphs in the Main Window from the Configuration dialog:

1.    Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area

2.    Select the Plot tab in the Configuration dialog

3.    Right-click on the bottom (highest number) Graph tab in the column on the left margin


4.    To add a Graph at the bottom:

a.    Select Add Graph in the menu to display a new Graph with default settings

b.    Select the attributes for the new Graph

5.    To remove the bottom Graph:

·         Select Delete Graph in the menu to remove the bottom Graph in the Main Window

6.    Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration dialog to make the change

Important!adding a new Graph or removing one is limited to the bottom Graph

How to Hide/Show the Datapoint Markers and XY Values

You can hide or show the datapoint markers:

1.    Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area

2.    Select the Plot tab in the Configuration Dialog

3.    Select Show to make the Datapoint Markers and XY values visible

4.    Select Hide to hide the Datapoint Markers and XY values


5.    Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration Dialog to make the change

How to Set the Range of the Y Axis

You can set or change the range of values for the Y Axes of the plot:

1.    Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area

2.    Select the Axes tab in the Configuration dialog.  The Y Axes panel has one row each for the Left and Right axes.

3.    Click in the Range Minimum or Maximum field in the desired row. 


4.    Enter the numeric Minimum and Maximum values for the CyFlex Variable which you have assigned to the Y Axis.  The dialog will verify that the values are numeric and that the Minimum value is less than the Maximum.

5.    Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration dialog to make the change.

How to Auto Range the Y Axis

You can let the program determine the optimum range for the Y Axis automatically to ensure that all plotted values are visible and no clipping occurs:

1.    Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area

2.    Select the Axes tab in the Configuration dialog. The Y Axes panel has one row each for the Left and Right axes.

3.    Check the box in the Auto Range column for Left and/or Right Axis


4.    Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration dialog to make the change.

How to Set Gridlines and Tick Marks

You can set or change the horizontal gridlines and Y Axis tick marks:

1.    Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area

2.    Select the Axes tab in the Configuration dialog. The Y Axes panel has one row each for the Left and Right axes.


3.    Enter the integer number of horizontal gridlines to display in the Grid # Lines field in the desired row.  The dialog will verify that the value is a positive integer and will set gridlines at appropriate intervals.

4.    Enter the integer number of Y Axis tick marks to display between each gridline in the Grid # Ticks field in the desired row.  The dialog will verify that the value is a positive integer and will set tick marks at appropriate intervals.

5.    Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration dialog to make the change.

Note:  For a Y Axis (its scale, labels, and gridlines) to be displayed, at least one Variable must be assigned to it in the Y Axis column in the Plot tab.  Either Y Axis is optional and does not need to be assigned or displayed.

Note: The number in Grid # Lines that you request may not match the number of gridlines actually shown in the Main Window.  The program computes the closest match so that the grid intervals are multiples of 1, 2, 5, or 10 times a power of 10.  The corresponding grid is easy to interpolate as a result.

What the Time Axis Range and Units Mean

The Range and Units fields in the Time Axis panel show the time range or duration in seconds of the current Data Window:

1.    Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area

2.    Select the Axes tab in the Configuration dialog

3.    The Range and Units fields show the duration of the Time Axis, computed from the entries in the Data Window in the Plot tab.  These fields will be changeable in a future program release.


What the Numbers on the Time Axis Mean

Each vertical gridline on the Time Axis is labeled at its base to indicate either

1.    The sample Date [Mon da] and Time [hh:mm:ss], if the Time Type is Absolute, or

2.    The time [sec] from the first sample in the logger file, if the Time Type is Relative

What the Configuration Dialog Does

You may change the data and display attributes at any time from the Configuration dialog.  RightClick anywhere in the Main Window to bring up the dialog.  It is organized in three tabs:

·         Plot

o      set the CyFlex Variables to plot by name, assign to the Left or Right Y Axis, and set the Trace color, line type, and thickness

o      select the Logger data file

o      set the time period for the plotted data as all data, over a specific time, or over a specific range of logger file records

o      show / hide datapoint markers and xy values

·         Axes

o      set the Left and Right Y Axis color, enable / disable auto range, minimum and maximum range, numbers of gridlines and tick marks, the axis label, and the gridlines color, line type, thickness and show / hide gridlines

o      display the Time Axis range and units

o      set the Time Axis number of gridlines and tick marks and the gridlines color, line type, and thickness

·         Frame

o      set the text and font for labels in the frame of the Main Window:  Plot Title (top left), Plot Subtitle (top right), and Note (bottom left)

o      show / hide the Plot Title and Subtitle and Note

condense controls into a single toolbar for all plots

o      show / hide the Trace Legend at top right of each Graph

o      change the background color of all Graphs

·         The Plot and Axes tabs include an additional column of tabs along the left margin, one tab for each Graph specified.  The highlighted tab shows the number of the Graph for the currently displayed plot attributes.

How To Change the Background Color of the Plot Area

You can change the background color of the Plot Area in the Graph from the default black:

1.    Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area

2.    Select the Frame tab in the Configuration dialog

3.    Click the Background Color field to display the Select Color dialog


4.    Choose the background color by clicking in the color space, selecting from most recent choices, or adjusting Hue / Saturation / Value or Red / Green / Blue

5.    Click the OK button to make the change.

·         Changing the background color to white is recommended before capturing the Main Window image for printing.

How To Try Configuration Changes in the Dialog

When the Configuration dialog is displayed, you may change any of the plot attributes and see the effect:

1.    Right-click anywhere in the Plot Area

2.    Change the settings you want to try and then click the Apply button.  You can drag the dialog in any direction to check the results.

3.    If you want to keep the changes, click the OK button.  The dialog will close and the changes will be made in the Main Window.

4.    If you do not want to keep the changes, click the Cancel button.  The dialog will close and no changes will be made in the Main Window.

5.    If you want to try other changes, make them in the dialog and click the Apply button again.

Plot Manipulations

How to Pan in the Graph

You can shift the current view in the Plot Area both horizontally (Time) and vertically (Variables) with the mouse cursor:

1.    To start Pan, click the Pan Start / Stop toggle button in the Button Row at top left in the Graph


2.    Place the cursor in the Plot Area and drag it in any direction to “pan” or translate the image

3.    To stop Pan, click the Pan Start / Stop toggle button again


·         Pan remains in effect until you click the Pan Start / Stop button again to stop.

·         You may launch the Configuration dialog and change plot attributes during Pan.

·         Pan and Zoom can be used successively but not together.  Turn off one to enable the other.

·         Each of the buttons in the Button Row has a Tool Tip: hover over the button to identify any of the buttons.

How to Zoom in the Graph

You can magnify the current view in the Plot Area both horizontally (Time) and vertically (Variables) with the mouse cursor:

1.    To start Zoom, click the Zoom Start  toggle button in the Button Row at top left in the Graph


2.    Place the cursor in the Plot Area and drag it diagonally to “Zoom In” and magnify the image to the rectangular area you want

3.    To stop Zoom, click the Zoom Stop toggle button again


·         Zoom remains in effect until you click the Zoom Stop button again to stop the zoom session.

·         Pan and Zoom can be used successively but not together.  Turn off one to enable the other.

·         The Time and Y Axis labels will be updated and the number of gridlines maintained in all cases.

How to Zoom Step in the Graph

You can Zoom In repeatedly for greater magnification.  An integer step counter tracks the number of Zoom In events.

1.    If you are in zoom, for each Zoom In step, drag the cursor diagonally to Zoom In to the rectangular area you want

2.    You can click on the Zoom Step Out button each time to display each of the Zoom In steps in reverse, out to the original view.  As you Zoom Step Out, the counter decrements accordingly.


3.    You can click on the Zoom Reset button to Zoom Out to the original view immediately


·         Zoom remains in effect during Zoom In, Zoom Step Out, and Zoom Reset, until you click the Zoom Start / Stop button again

Working in the Plot Tab

The Plot Tab in the Configuration dialog is the place where you can change the Traces displayed in the Main Window.  You may add or remove Traces and change the attributes of their display.  If your LoggerPlot has more than one Graph, you can select which one you want to change with the Graph tabs at the left margin of the dialog.

Each row of the Plot Tab indicates the current settings for one Trace in the selected Graph.  Each cell in the row affects one of its display attributes.  You may change any of these attributes by selecting from the valid choices assigned to each one.


Trace Optionsoptions that apply to an entire row or Trace: Add / Delete / Copy / Paste

1.    Right-click on the integer row # button immediately to the left of the CyFlex Variable Name field to show the Trace Options menu


2.    Select an option for that row in the menu:

·         Add Rowadd a new row for a Trace below the current rows with default values

·         Delete Rowdelete the current row from the Plot Tab and its Trace from the Graph

·         Copy Rowcopy the settings for the current row; used before Add and Paste

·         Paste Rowpaste the settings from the previously copied row in the added row; used after Copy and Add

Logger File Variable Namethe name assigned in a specs file for the CyFlex Variable to plot

1.    Click and scroll in the pulldown list of valid Variables Names to select one.


2.    If you know the first character of the Variable Name, highlight the text in the field and start to type the name.  The pulldown list will appear, starting at the characters you enter.  Click on your selection.

·         The current units of measure are appended in brackets to the Variable Name.

Y Axisthe choice of Left or Right Y Axis for this Trace

1.    Click on the button to toggle between assigning the Left and Right Y Axis to the Trace

2.    If all of the Traces in a Graph are assigned only to either the Left or Right Y Axis, then the other axis will not be displayed, including its scale, label, and gridlines.  At least one of the Traces must be assigned to an axis to display it.

Colorthe color for the Trace display

1.    Click on the color field to open the Select Color dialog


2.    Choose the Trace color by clicking in the color space, selecting from most recent choices, or adjusting Hue / Saturation / Value or Red / Green / Blue

3.    Click the OK button to make your change

Trace / Line Typethe pattern of the Trace line

·         Click in the pulldown list to choose from Solid, Dashed, Dot,  or Dot Dash

Trace / Thicknessthe thickness of the Trace line

·         Enter an integer in the range 1 to 5, where greater is thicker

File Selectionselect the Logger data file for plotting

1.    Click on the File Selection… button to open the Select Logger File dialog


2.    When the Select Logger File dialog is displayed, select the logger filename in /data/PC_format/

·         The Logger File field indicates the current logger file selected.

3.    Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration dialog to make the change.

Time Type Absolute or Relative time recorded in Logger data file


Data Window set option to select Logger data storage and display

1.    All Data (Default) -- the time period for all of the data in the logger file,

2.    Timeenter the start and end times, or

3.    Record # -- enter the start and end record numbers in the logger file

Datapoint Markers Show and Hide toggle buttons to display or hide marker symbols  at the recorded datapoints in the Traces.

·         The Trace is composed of straight line segments between these datapoints.

XY Values Show and Hide toggle buttons to display or hide a text display of X (Time) and Y values at the datapoint nearest to cursor.

·         A line segment from the cursor identifies the nearest datapoint

Working in the Axes Tab

The Axes Tab in the Configuration dialog is the place where you can change the axes displayed in the Main Window.  You may change the settings for any of the vertical Left and Right Y Axes and the horizontal Time Axis.  If your LoggerPlot has more than one Graph, you can select which one you want to change with the Graph tabs at the left margin of the dialog.

Each row of the Axes Tab indicates the current settings for one axis in the selected Graph.  Each cell in the row affects one of its display attributes.  You may change any of these attributes by selecting from the valid choices assigned to each one.

Y Axes


 

Axis identifies for which Y Axis, Left or Right, the other fields in the row apply.  The fields in the Axis column are disabled.

Color the color for the Y Axis label and scale

1.    Click on the color field to open the Select Color dialog


2.    Choose the color for the axis label and scale by clicking in the color space, selecting from most recent choices, or adjusting Hue / Saturation / Value or Red / Green / Blue

3.    Click OK to make your change

Auto Rangeenable / disable auto ranging to dynamically adjust Y Axis range so that all data is displayed in the Plot Area

·         Check the box to start auto ranging and disable the Range Minimum and Maximum fields

·         Uncheck the box to stop auto ranging and enable the Range Minimum and Maximum fields

Range / Minimumthe minimum value for the Y Axis scale

·         Enter the numeric value for the minimum Y Axis scale when auto ranging is disabled

Range / Maximumthe maximum value for the Y Axis scale

·         Enter the numeric value for the maximum Y Axis scale when auto ranging is disabled

Grid / # Linesthe number of horizontal gridlines to display

·         Enter the integer number of horizontal gridlines to display in the Plot Area

Grid / # Ticksthe number of tick marks to display on the Y Axis scale

·         Enter the integer number of tick marks to display between each horizontal gridline on the Y Axis scale

Labelthe vertical text label displayed next to the Y Axis scale

·         Enter descriptive text for the Y Axis

Grid / Colorthe color of the horizontal gridlines

1.    Click on the color field to open the Select Color dialog


2.    Choose the color for the axis label and scale by clicking in the color space, selecting from most recent choices, or adjusting Hue / Saturation / Value or Red / Green / Blue

3.    Click the OK button to make your change

Grid / No Gridshow / hide gridlines

·         Check the box to display horizontal gridlines

·         Uncheck the box to hide horizontal gridlines

Grid / Line Typethe pattern of the gridlines

·         Click in the pulldown list to choose from Solid, Dashed, Dot, or Dot Dash

Grid / Thicknessthe thickness of the gridlines

·         Enter an integer in the range 1 to 5, where greater is thicker

Time Axis:

Range and Unitsthe time duration displayed in the Time Axis

·         The Range and Units fields show the duration of the Time Axis, computed from the entries in the Data Window in the Plot tab.


Grid / # Linesthe number of vertical gridlines to display

·         Enter the integer number of vertical gridlines to display in the Plot Area

Grid / # Ticksthe number of tick marks to display on the Time Axis scale

·         Enter the integer number of tick marks to display between each vertical gridline on the Time Axis scale

Grid Colorthe color of the vertical gridlines

1.    Click on the color field to open the Select Color dialog


2.    Choose the color for the axis label and scale by clicking in the color space, selecting from most recent choices, or adjusting Hue / Saturation / Value or Red / Green / Blue

3.    Click OK to make your change

Grid / Line Typethe pattern of the gridlines

·         Click in the pulldown list to choose from Solid, Dashed, Dot, or Dot Dash

Grid / Thicknessthe thickness of the gridlines

·         Enter an integer in the range 1 to 5, where greater is thicker

Working in the Frame Tab

You may change some of the supplemental text in the margins and the Legend and background color in each Graph in the Frame tab of the Configuration dialog:


Plot Titlethe text string that appears at top left in the frame of the Main Window

1.    Enter the literal text string for the Plot Title

2.    Click the Font button to display the Font dialog


3.    Select the font, style, and size of the text in the dialog, then click the OK button

Plot Subtitlethe text string that appears at top right in the frame of the Main Window

1.    Enter the literal text string for the Plot Subtitle

2.    Click the Font button to display the Font dialog

3.    Select the font, style, and size of the text in the dialog, then click the OK button

Show Title and Subtitle – show or hide the Title and Subtitle

 Notethe text string that appears at bottom left in the frame of the Main Window

1.    Enter the literal text string for the Note

2.    Click the Font button to display the Font dialog

3.    Select the font, style, and size of the text in the dialog, then click the OK button

Show note – show or hide the Note field

Condense controls into a single toolbar for all plots – one button bar is visible for use of all graphs, makes the legend of each graph smaller, removes the start/stop and pause/resume buttons from the bottom of the main window and adds a start/stop and pause/resume button to the button bar


 Legendassociates the Trace colors with their CyFlex Variable names

·         the Show or Hide toggle button displays or hides the Legend in each Graph

Background Colorthe background color of the Plot Area in each Graph

1.    Click on the Background Color field to open the Select Color dialog

2.    Choose the color for the axis label and scale by clicking in the color space, selecting from most recent choices, or adjusting Hue / Saturation / Value or Red / Green / Blue

3.    Click OK to select your color

Click the OK button at the bottom of the Configuration dialog to make the change.

Saving Data

How to Save the Data Collected to a File

You can save all of the data currently stored and plotted in a Graph to a spreadsheet (.csv) file:

1.    Click the Export Data to CSV File button in the Button Row at top left in the Graph


or

Click File -> Export All Data from the menu bar.


·         The program will display the Save File As dialog. 

2.    Enter a new filename in the Name: field, or click one of the existing filenames to overwrite it.

3.    Keep the default directory /tmp/ for the file, or select another directory

4.    Click the Save button to save the data file.

How to Print the Graphs

  You can save a graphical image of the LoggerPlot Main Window to a file:

1.    Pause and optionally pan in the Graph to the desired view

2.    Press the PrintSC key

·         The Linux KSnapshot dialog appears

3.    Select Window Under Cursor in the Capture mode: list

4.    Click the New Snapshot button

·         The KSnapshot dialog disappears

5.    Click on the Main Window

·         The KSnapshot dialog appears again

6.    Click the Save As button

·         The Save As - KSnapshot file dialog appears

7.    Complete the filename and directory entries

8.    Click the Save button to save the image file

·            Once the file is saved, the image can be printed directly from the file with any of the standard graphics programs provided in the KMenu > Graphics list, such as KolourPaint or Kooka

Saving Configurations

How to Save the Configuration

You can save the current plot settings to either an existing configuration file or a new one from the File menu at top left in the Main Window:

1.    File > Save Settings

·         The program will display the Save Configuration File dialog.


2.    Enter a new filename in the Name: field, or click one of the existing filenames to overwrite it.

3.    Click the Save button at bottom right to make the change.

How to Load a Configuration

You can load plot settings in an existing configuration file from the File menu at top left in the Main Window:

1.    File > Load Settings

·         The program will display the Open Configuration File dialog.


2.    Select one of the existing Configuration filenames.

3.    Click the Open button at bottom right to load the settings

How to Load a Configuration at Startup

You can select the Configuration file to load at program startup from the command line:

qtloggerplot –f [base filename]

where the base filename is the Configuration filename without the brackets or the standard “.conf” extension.

·         This format assumes that the Configuration files are in their default directory:

/specs/qt/loggerplot/