PLOTSYM
Name
PLOTSYM
Purpose
Define useful plotting symbols not in the standard !PSYM definitions.
Explanation
After a symbol has been defined with PLOTSYM, a plotting command should
follow with either PSYM = 8 or !P.PSYM = 8 (see USERSYM)
For additional rotationally symmetric plotting symbols, see VSYM.PRO
Also see CGSYMCAT in the/coyote directory.
Calling Sequence
PLOTSYM, PSYM,[ PSIZE, /FILL, THICK=, COLOR=]
Inputs
PSYM - The following integer values of PSYM will create the
corresponding plot symbols
0 - circle
1 - downward arrow (upper limit), base of arrow begins at plot value value
2 - upward arrow (lower limt)
3 - 5 pointed star
4 - triangle
5 - upside down triangle
6 - left pointing arrow
7 - right pointing arrow
8 - square
Arrows are defined such that their base begins at their origin.
Optional Inputs
PSIZE - Size of the plotting symbol in multiples of the default size
(default PSIZE=1). Does not need to be an integer
Optional Input Keyword
FILL - Parameter indicating whether to fill the symbol (see USERSYM)
The default is 0, unfilled symbol. Does not affect arrows
or character symbols.
THICK - Thickness of unfilled symbols. Default is 1.
COLOR - Color of the symbols, Default is !P.color
Outputs
None
Examples
Plot Y vs. X with filled stars as the symbol, twice the default size
IDL> PLOTSYM, 3 ,2, /FILL ;Plotting symbol is a filled star,
;twice default size
IDL> PLOT,X,Y,PSYM=8 ;Set PSYM = 8 to get star symbol
Now plot Y vs. X with an open circle as the symbol
IDL> PLOTSYM, 0 ;Plotting symbol is a circle
IDL> PLOT,X,Y,PSYM=8
Method
Appropriate X,Y vectors are used to define the symbol and passed to the
USERSYM command.
Revision History
Written W. Landsman June 1992
18-JAN-1996 Added a square symbol, HCW.
98Aug20 Added keyword thick parameter - RCB.
April 2001 Added COLOR keyword WBL