How do you create stacked plots?

[mbuis]

Okay, I have tried for quite some time today to create a stacked plot, but without any success.  I want to be able to put in a max and min range for the x-axis on the front panel.  This x-axis will be used for three different y-axis.  Each y-axis will have a different scale than the other ones.  Also, each y-axis will have up to 6 different plots.  I have attached an example of what I hope the final chart/graph/plot will look like.  I have tried combining the x-axis values with the different y-axis values in an array (2D) and then plotting them but nothing seems to work right.

[Darin.K]

Never had much success getting what I consider "publication quality" graphs out of LV, but that is not what it was built for.  It has a great looking GUI and the flexibility to get your data into a program to suit your needs.  Doesn't mean that there aren't some features we'd like to see added, especially when it comes to axes and labelling.  My advice to you is the following:

1. take a deep breath and decide if this is something you really want to do.

2.  perhaps try an in-between solution like stripping down the plots and stacking three XY graphs on top of each other.  You can programatically control the scales.  You won't have overlap of the plots like you show, and all of the labels will be on the left.

3.  Try a standard XY graph and fudge the labels using Ben's very elegant trick. Ben is the go-to-guy (IMO) for picture control questions

4.  Explore the Picture VIs to generate plots piece-by-piece.  You are in for a lot of work, but it is the only LV-only solution I know to get the results you are looking for.  (Perhaps there are new and exciting features in LV2009 that someone will enlighten us with).

5.  Do what I do.  I use a MathLink connection to Mathematica when I need plots that I can't get easily in LV.  You can retrieve the graphics object and display it in a container or a picture control.  I use a picture control because the container seems to unload the image when I stop the VI.  If you don't have Mathematica, or similar program, sorry.

Message Edited by Darin.K on 08-17-2009 07:41 PM

[BCho]

Hey mbuis,

Is there a particular reason why you would like to put all three of these plots onto the same graph? You can create three Y scales and then assign each plot to its respective Y axis. However with three Y axis, three different scales, and about 18 plots total; your graph could get a little messy.

I would suggest putting each group of plots on a individual graph. You can insure that the x-axis line up so that you maintain the same relative position. Otherwise, with three axis on the same graph might get a little difficult to differentiate your individual plots.

Check out this Knowledgebase for more information on how to get multiple Y-Axis.

[Joseph_Loo]

I do not believe you can do stack plots on a graph. You can with a chart. Do you want something like this?

[mbuis]

Darin.K:  Thank you for the response.  I do not have access to Mathematica though.

BCho:  The reason for the plots being on the same graph is standard practice.  Also, when customers, engineers, etc are determining which product they want they typically have at least one of the following as the main criteria: speed(RPM), pressure, and CFM.  There may be multiple products which satisfy these requirements. Then the BHP and delta T are the deciding factors, so having them laid out in one place is a convenience. Also, it saves paper when printing.  Thank you for the response.

Joseph Loo:  Charts are the only option without a workaround.  Yes, something similar to that.

LV may not be the right way to do these graphs, I just thought I would explore the option.  So far, it does not seem to be working out though.