The axis function may be used to change the axis limits of an existing
plot and various other axis properties, such as the aspect ratio and the
appearance of tic marks. By default, high level plotting functions such as
plot reset axes properties. Any customization of properties, for
example by calling axis, xlim, etc., should happen after the plot
is done or, alternatively, after calling the hold function.
() ¶([x_lo x_hi]) ¶([x_lo x_hi y_lo y_hi]) ¶([x_lo x_hi y_lo y_hi z_lo z_hi]) ¶([x_lo x_hi y_lo y_hi z_lo z_hi c_lo c_hi]) ¶(option) ¶(option1, option2, …) ¶(hax, …) ¶limits = axis () ¶Set axis limits and appearance.
The argument limits should be a 2-, 4-, 6-, or 8-element vector. The
first and second elements specify the lower and upper limits for the
x-axis. The third and fourth specify the limits for the y-axis, the fifth
and sixth specify the limits for the z-axis, and the seventh and eighth
specify the limits for the color axis. The special values -Inf and
Inf may be used to indicate that the limit should be automatically
computed based on the data in the axes.
Without any arguments, axis turns autoscaling on.
With one output argument, limits = axis returns the current
axis limits.
The vector argument specifying limits is optional, and additional string arguments may be used to specify various axis properties.
The following options control the aspect ratio of the axes.
"equal"Force x-axis unit distance to equal y-axis (and z-axis) unit distance.
"square"Force a square axis aspect ratio.
"vis3d"Set aspect ratio modes ("DataAspectRatio",
"PlotBoxAspectRatio") to "manual" for rotation without
stretching.
"normal""fill"Restore default automatically computed aspect ratios.
The following options control the way axis limits are interpreted.
"auto""auto[xyz]""auto [xyz]"Set nice auto-computed limits around the data for all axes, or only the specified axes.
"manual"Fix the current axes limits.
"tickaligned"Fix axes to the limits of the closest ticks.
"tight"Fix axes to the limits of the data.
"padded"Fix axes to the limits of the data plus margins of about 7% of the data extent.
"image"Equivalent to "tight" and "equal".
The following options affect the appearance of tick marks.
"tic""tic[xyz]""tic [xyz]"Turn tick marks on for all axes, or turn them on for the specified axes and off for the remainder.
"label""label[xyz]""label [xyz]"Turn tick labels on for all axes, or turn them on for the specified axes and off for the remainder.
"nolabel"Turn tick labels off for all axes.
Note: If there are no tick marks for an axes then there can be no labels.
The following options affect the direction of increasing values on the axes.
"xy"Default y-axis, larger values are near the top.
"ij"Reverse y-axis, smaller values are near the top.
The following options affects the visibility of the axes.
"on"Make the axes visible.
"off"Hide the axes.
If the first argument hax is an axes handle, then operate on this
axes rather than the current axes returned by gca.
Example 1: set X/Y limits and force a square aspect ratio
axis ([1, 2, 3, 4], "square");
Example 2: enable tick marks on all axes, enable tick mark labels only on the y-axis
axis ("tic", "labely");
See also: xlim, ylim, zlim, caxis, daspect, pbaspect, box, grid.
Similarly the axis limits of the colormap can be changed with the caxis function.
([cmin cmax]) ¶("auto") ¶("manual") ¶(hax, …) ¶limits = caxis () ¶Query or set color axis limits for plots.
The limits argument should be a 2-element vector specifying the lower and upper limits to assign to the first and last value in the colormap. Data values outside this range are clamped to the first and last colormap entries.
If the "auto" option is given then automatic colormap limits are
applied. The automatic algorithm sets cmin to the minimum data value
and cmax to the maximum data value. If "manual" is specified
then the "climmode" property is set to "manual" and the
numeric values in the "clim" property are used for limits.
If the first argument hax is an axes handle, then operate on
this axes rather than the current axes returned by gca.
Called without arguments the current color axis limits are returned.
Programming Note: The color axis affects the display of image, patch, and
surface graphics objects, but only if the "cdata" property
has indexed data and the "cdatamapping" property is set to
"scaled". Graphic objects with true color cdata, or
"direct" cdatamapping are not affected.
The xlim, ylim, and zlim functions may be used to
get or set individual axis limits. Each has the same form.
xlimits = xlim () ¶xmode = xlim ("mode") ¶xmethod = xlim ("method") ¶([x_lo x_hi]) ¶("mode") ¶("method") ¶(hax, …) ¶Query or set the limits of the x-axis for the current plot.
Called without arguments xlim returns the x-axis limits of the
current plot.
With the input query "mode", return the current x-limit calculation
mode which is either "auto" or "manual".
With the input query "method", return the current x-limit
calculation method which is either "tickaligned", "tight",
or "padded".
If passed a 2-element vector [x_lo x_hi], the limits of the
x-axis are set to these values and the mode is set to "manual".
The special values -Inf and Inf can be used to indicate that either
the lower axis limit or upper axis limit should be automatically calculated.
The current limit calculation "mode" may be one of
"auto" (default)Automatically calculate limits based on the plot data and the currently specified limit calculation method.
"manual"Fix axis limits at current values.
The current limit calculation method may be one of
"tickaligned" (default)Calculate limits that encompass all of the data and extend outwards to the nearest tick mark.
"tight"Calculate limits that exactly fit the data range.
"padded"Calculate limits that leave a margin around the data of approximately 7% of the data range.
If the first argument hax is an axes handle, then operate on
this axes rather than the current axes returned by gca.
Programming Note: The xlim function operates by modifying the
"xlim", "xlimmode", and "xlimitmethod" properties of
an axes object. These properties can be directly inspected and altered with
get/set.
ylimits = ylim () ¶ymode = ylim ("mode") ¶ymethod = ylim ("method") ¶([y_lo y_hi]) ¶("mode") ¶("method") ¶(hax, …) ¶Query or set the limits of the y-axis for the current plot.
Called without arguments ylim returns the y-axis limits of the
current plot.
With the input query "mode", return the current y-limit calculation
mode which is either "auto" or "manual".
With the input query "method", return the current y-limit
calculation method which is either "tickaligned", "tight",
or "padded".
If passed a 2-element vector [y_lo y_hi], the limits of the
y-axis are set to these values and the mode is set to "manual".
The special values -Inf and Inf can be used to indicate that either
the lower axis limit or upper axis limit should be automatically calculated.
The current limit calculation "mode" may be one of
"auto" (default)Automatically calculate limits based on the plot data and the currently specified limit calculation method.
"manual"Fix axis limits at current values.
The current limit calculation method may be one of
"tickaligned" (default)Calculate limits that encompass all of the data and extend outwards to the nearest tick mark.
"tight"Calculate limits that exactly fit the data range.
"padded"Calculate limits that leave a margin around the data of approximately 7% of the data range.
If the first argument hax is an axes handle, then operate on
this axes rather than the current axes returned by gca.
Programming Note: The ylim function operates by modifying the
"ylim", "ylimmode", and "ylimitmethod" properties of
an axes object. These properties can be directly inspected and altered with
get/set.
zlimits = zlim () ¶zmode = zlim ("mode") ¶zmethod = zlim ("method") ¶([z_lo z_hi]) ¶("mode") ¶("method") ¶(hax, …) ¶Query or set the limits of the z-axis for the current plot.
Called without arguments zlim returns the z-axis limits of the
current plot.
With the input query "mode", return the current z-limit calculation
mode which is either "auto" or "manual".
With the input query "method", return the current z-limit
calculation method which is either "tickaligned", "tight",
or "padded".
If passed a 2-element vector [z_lo z_hi], the limits of the
z-axis are set to these values and the mode is set to "manual".
The special values -Inf and Inf can be used to indicate that either
the lower axis limit or upper axis limit should be automatically calculated.
The current limit calculation "mode" may be one of
"auto" (default)Automatically calculate limits based on the plot data and the currently specified limit calculation method.
"manual"Fix axis limits at current values.
The current limit calculation method may be one of
"tickaligned" (default)Calculate limits that encompass all of the data and extend outwards to the nearest tick mark.
"tight"Calculate limits that exactly fit the data range.
"padded"Calculate limits that leave a margin around the data of approximately 7% of the data range.
If the first argument hax is an axes handle, then operate on
this axes rather than the current axes returned by gca.
Programming Note: The zlim function operates by modifying the
"zlim", "zlimmode", and "zlimitmethod" properties of
an axes object. These properties can be directly inspected and altered with
get/set.
The xticks, yticks, zticks, rticks, and
thetaticks functions may be used to get or set the tick mark locations
and modes on the respective axis. Each has the same form, although mode
options are not currently available for rticks, and thetaticks.
tickval = xticks ¶mode = xticks ("mode") ¶(tickval) ¶("auto") ¶("manual") ¶… = xticks (hax, …) ¶Query or set the tick values on the x-axis of the current axis.
When called without an argument, return the current tick locations as
specified in the "xtick" axes property. These locations can be
changed by calling xticks with a vector of tick values. Note:
ascending order is not required.
When called with argument "mode", xticks returns the current
value of the axes property "xtickmode". This property can be
changed by calling xticks with either "auto" (algorithm
determines tick positions) or "manual" (tick values remain fixed
regardless of axes resizing or rotation). Note: Specifying xtick values
will also set the property "xtickmode" to "manual".
If the first argument hax is an axes handle, then operate on
this axis rather than the current axes returned by gca.
Requesting a return value when calling xticks to set a property value
will result in an error.
See also: xticklabels, yticks, zticks, rticks, thetaticks, get, set.
tickval = yticks ¶mode = yticks ("mode") ¶(tickval) ¶("auto") ¶("manual") ¶… = yticks (hax, …) ¶Query or set the tick values on the y-axis of the current axis.
When called without an argument, return the current tick locations as
specified in the "ytick" axes property. These locations can be
changed by calling yticks with a vector of tick values. Note:
ascending order is not required.
When called with argument "mode", yticks returns the current
value of the axes property "ytickmode". This property can be
changed by calling yticks with either "auto" (algorithm
determines tick positions) or "manual" (tick values remain fixed
regardless of axes resizing or rotation). Note: Specifying ytick values
will also set the property "ytickmode" to "manual".
If the first argument hax is an axes handle, then operate on
this axis rather than the current axes returned by gca.
Requesting a return value when calling yticks to set a property value
will result in an error.
See also: yticklabels, xticks, zticks, rticks, thetaticks, get, set.
tickval = zticks ¶mode = zticks ("mode") ¶(tickval) ¶("auto") ¶("manual") ¶… = zticks (hax, …) ¶Query or set the tick values on the z-axis of the current axis.
When called without an argument, return the current tick locations as
specified in the "ztick" axes property. These locations can be
changed by calling zticks with a vector of tick values. Note:
ascending order is not required.
When called with argument "mode", zticks returns the current
value of the axes property "ztickmode". This property can be
changed by calling zticks with either "auto" (algorithm
determines tick positions) or "manual" (tick values remain fixed
regardless of axes resizing or rotation). Note: Specifying ztick values
will also set the property "ztickmode" to "manual".
If the first argument hax is an axes handle, then operate on
this axis rather than the current axes returned by gca.
Requesting a return value when calling zticks to set a property value
will result in an error.
See also: zticklabels, xticks, yticks, rticks, thetaticks, get, set.
tickval = rticks ¶(tickval) ¶… = rticks (hax, …) ¶Query or set the tick values on the r-axis of the current axis.
When called without argument, return the current tick locations as specified
in the "rtick" axes property. These locations can be changed by
calling rticks with a vector of tick values. Note: ascending order
is not required.
If the first argument hax is an axes handle, then operate on
this axis rather than the current axes returned by gca.
Requesting a return value when calling rticks to set a property value
will result in an error.
NOTE: Octave does not currently implement polaraxes objects. It is
therefore not possible to query or set a "mode" for the
"rtick" property as can be done with the equivalent functions for
x, y, and z axes.
See also: thetaticks, xticks, yticks, zticks, polar, get, set.
tickval = thetaticks ¶(tickval) ¶… = thetaticks (hax, …) ¶Query or set the tick values on the theta-axis of the current axis.
When called without argument, return the current tick locations as specified
in the "ttick" axes property. These locations can be changed by
calling thetaticks with a vector of tick values. Note: ascending
order is not required.
If the first argument hax is an axes handle, then operate on
this axis rather than the current axes returned by gca.
Requesting a return value when calling thetaticks to set a property
value will result in an error.
NOTE: Octave does not currently implement polaraxes objects. It is
therefore not possible to query or set a "mode" for the
"thetatick" property as can be done with the equivalent functions
for x, y, and z axes.
The xticklabels, yticklabels, and zticklabels functions
may be used to get or set the label assigned to each tick location and the
labeling mode on the respective axis. Each has the same form.
labels = xticklabels ¶mode = xticklabels ("mode") ¶(tickval) ¶("auto") ¶("manual") ¶… = xticklabels (hax, …) ¶Query or set the tick labels on the x-axis of the current axis.
When called without an argument, return a cell array of strings of the
current tick labels as specified in the "xticklabel" axes property.
These labels can be changed by calling xticklabels with a cell array
of strings. Note: a vector of numbers will be mapped to a cell array of
strings. If fewer labels are specified than the current number of ticks,
blank labels will be appended to the array.
When called with argument "mode", xticklabels returns the
current value of the axes property "xticklabelmode". This property
can be changed by calling xticklabels with either "auto"
(algorithm determines tick labels) or "manual" (tick labels remain
fixed). Note: Specifying xticklabel values will also set the
"xticklabelmode" and "xticks" properties to
"manual".
If the first argument hax is an axes handle, then operate on
this axis rather than the current axes returned by gca.
Requesting a return value when calling xticklabels to set a property
value will result in an error.
See also: xticks, yticklabels, zticklabels, get, set.
labels = yticklabels ¶mode = yticklabels ("mode") ¶(tickval) ¶("auto") ¶("manual") ¶… = yticklabels (hax, …) ¶Query or set the tick labels on the x-axis of the current axis.
When called without an argument, return a cell array of strings of the
current tick labels as specified in the "yticklabel" axes property.
These labels can be changed by calling yticklabels with a cell array
of strings. Note: a vector of numbers will be mapped to a cell array of
strings. If fewer labels are specified than the current number of ticks,
blank labels will be appended to the array.
When called with argument "mode", yticklabels returns the
current value of the axes property "yticklabelmode". This property
can be changed by calling yticklabels with either "auto"
(algorithm determines tick labels) or "manual" (tick labels remain
fixed). Note: Specifying yticklabel values will also set the
"yticklabelmode" and "yticks" properties to
"manual".
If the first argument hax is an axes handle, then operate on
this axis rather than the current axes returned by gca.
Requesting a return value when calling xticklabels to set a property
value will result in an error.
See also: yticks, xticklabels, zticklabels, get, set.
labels = zticklabels ¶mode = zticklabels ("mode") ¶(tickval) ¶("auto") ¶("manual") ¶… = zticklabels (hax, …) ¶Query or set the tick labels on the x-axis of the current axis.
When called without an argument, return a cell array of strings of the
current tick labels as specified in the "zticklabel" axes property.
These labels can be changed by calling zticklabels with a cell array
of strings. Note: a vector of numbers will be mapped to a cell array of
strings. If fewer labels are specified than the current number of ticks,
blank labels will be appended to the array.
When called with argument "mode", zticklabels returns the
current value of the axes property "zticklabelmode". This property
can be changed by calling zticklabels with either "auto"
(algorithm determines tick labels) or "manual" (tick labels remain
fixed). Note: Specifying zticklabel values will also set the
"zticklabelmode" and "zticks" properties to
"manual".
If the first argument hax is an axes handle, then operate on
this axis rather than the current axes returned by gca.
Requesting a return value when calling xticklabels to set a property
value will result in an error.
See also: zticks, xticklabels, zticklabels, get, set.
The xtickangle, ytickangle, and ztickangle functions
may be used to get or set the rotation angle of labels for the respective axis.
Each has the same form.
angle = xtickangle () ¶angle = xtickangle (hax) ¶(angle) ¶(hax, angle) ¶Query or set the rotation angle of the tick labels on the x-axis of the current axes.
When called without an argument, return the rotation angle in degrees of the
tick labels as specified in the axes property "XTickLabelRotation".
When called with a numeric scalar angle, rotate the tick labels
counterclockwise to angle degrees.
If the first argument hax is an axes handle, then operate on this axes
rather than the current axes returned by gca.
Programming Notes:
"XTickLabelRotation" property is currently unimplemented in
Octave. The property can be set and queried, but has no effect on the plot.
See also: ytickangle, ztickangle, get, set.
angle = ytickangle () ¶angle = ytickangle (hax) ¶(angle) ¶(hax, angle) ¶Query or set the rotation angle of the tick labels on the y-axis of the current axes.
When called without an argument, return the rotation angle in degrees of the
tick labels as specified in the axes property "YTickLabelRotation".
When called with a numeric scalar angle, rotate the tick labels
counterclockwise to angle degrees.
If the first argument hax is an axes handle, then operate on this axes
rather than the current axes returned by gca.
Programming Notes:
"YTickLabelRotation" property is currently unimplemented in
Octave. The property can be set and queried, but has no effect on the plot.
See also: xtickangle, ztickangle, get, set.
angle = ztickangle () ¶angle = ztickangle (hax) ¶(angle) ¶(hax, angle) ¶Query or set the rotation angle of the tick labels on the z-axis of the current axes.
When called without an argument, return the rotation angle in degrees of the
tick labels as specified in the axes property "ZTickLabelRotation".
When called with a numeric scalar angle, rotate the tick labels
counterclockwise to angle degrees.
If the first argument hax is an axes handle, then operate on this axes
rather than the current axes returned by gca.
Programming Notes:
"ZTickLabelRotation" property is currently unimplemented in
Octave. The property can be set and queried, but has no effect on the plot.
See also: xtickangle, ytickangle, get, set.