1. Designing Effective Graphics Using MATLAB
The Cain Project in Engineering and Professional Communication
ENGINEERING SERIES

2. The Purpose of Using Graphics
In your own problem solving
As part of design
As analysis of operating data
For persuasion and interpretation
Dramatize relationships
Promote identification
Make complex information accessible

3. Criteria for Good Graphics
Purpose clear?
Pattern and arrangement lead eye without distraction?
Similar items grouped and indicated?
Graphic hierarchy consistent?
Fonts legible?

4. Criteria for Good Graphics (contd.)
Critical components defined?
Essential calculations behind claims shown?
Any significant reference or standard omitted?
Presenters’ expertise demonstrated?

5. Types of Graphics in Matlab
Line graph 2D 3D

6. Types of Graphics in Matlab
• Column or
bar graph

7. Types of Graphics in Matlab
Pie graph
Shows “whole to part” relationships

8. Types of Graphics in Matlab
• Ribbon graph

9. Select Right Type of Graphic
What Is Your Purpose?
Problem solving?
Persuasion and interpretation?
Who Is the Audience?
What are their backgrounds?
What do they want to know?
What Is the Context?
Presentation?
Report/Paper?

10. Context Affects Graph Qualities
Presentation
Big titles, labels, etc.
Can use any color
Can use animation
Report
Smaller titles, labels, etc.
Often just black and white
Animation impossible

11. 2D Plot Tips Use the best line style/size for the situation.
Think about the best placement of legend/key.
Incorporate error bars, if necessary.
Use gridlines sparingly.

12. An Example You have: You are asked to: Vector 1: x(0:0.2:10);
Vector 2: sin(x);
Vector 3: cos(x);
You are asked to:
Plot sin(x) vs. x and cos(x) vs. x in the same figure.
Customize the figure so that it is suitable for presentation.

13. A Simple Matlab Program
clear all;
X=[0:0.2:10];
sinx=sin(x);
cosx=cos(x);
plot(x,sinx,x,cosx);
xlabel('x');
ylabel('y');
title([‘sin and cos Functions']);

14. Default Plot Given by Matlab

15. We Want … Titles and labels bigger Lines thicker
Colors more contrasting
Key data points visible
Legend or labels close to lines

16. How to Get What We Want

17. Open the Property Editor

18. Edit Figure Properties

19. Edit Axes Properties

20. Edit Line Properties

21. So Far, A Better-Looking Figure

22. Insert Legend

23. Edit Legend Properties

24. Insert Y Grid Line

25. Final Version!

26. Frequently Used Functions
“plot”
“xlabel”, “ylabel”
“title”
“xlim”, “ylim”
“axis”
“legend”
“errorbar”
Type “help xxx” in Matlab command window for detailed information on the usage of the function xxx.

27. Other 2D Plotting Commands
“loglog”: graph with logarithmic scales for both axes.
“semilogx”: graph with a logarithmic scale for x-axis and a linear scale for y-axis.
“semilogy”: graph with a logarithmic scale for y-axis and a linear scale for x-axis.
“plotyy”: graph with y-tick labels on the left and right side.

28. A Whole Lot More … 2D contour 3D plots Movie “contour” “contourslice”
“mesh”
“surf”
Movie
“getframe”
“movie”

29. Plotting in Excel

30. Selecting Chart Type and Inputting Data

31. Adding Labels and Selecting Location

32. What do we need to change?

33. Formatting your Chart

34. Adding a Trendline

35. Formatting the Data

36. Editing the Line and Markers

37. Formatting the Font

38. Final Product!

39. Other Features Logarithmic axis Select the axis you want to change
Right click or select the “Format” option in your toolbar and select “Format Axis”
Click on the “Scale” tab
Check the box marked “Logarithmic Scale”

40. Lead through Excellence in Engineering Communication
More resources are available for you
under “Engineering Communication” at Connexions at
at the Cain Project site at
in your course Communication Folder in OWLSPACE.