2D colormap and contour

You can plot component performance maps to observe correlational relationships between three variables. 2D colormaps and contours are used to visualize 3D plots in a 2D space.

To create a 2D colormap, the curve on which you apply the display needs to be set as an XYZ curve or a M1D curve. Refer to the XYZ curve conversion, M1D curves conversion, and XYZ/M1D curves graph type sections for more information.

Once the 2D colormap is created, you can access the options through the graph key. Double-click the graph key to open the window of the curve properties.

Figure 37: Curve properties of 2D colormap

The colormap, the isolines, and the mesh settings allow you to customize the display.

Colormap

By default the Color scale is selected. It allows you to choose a predefined colormap from a list. This option controls the mapping of data values into the colormap. An interpolation is made to create a color gradient in between contours.

Figure 38: 2D colormap with color gradient in between contours

If you switch to the custom colorscale, you can choose whether or not to make an interpolation and consequently not to apply a color gradient. Then you get what is called a contour plot.

Figure 39: 2D contour plot

You can adjust the contour values and colors in the custom tab of the colormap display.

Figure 40: Custom colorscale definition

Note

Please refer to the The custom colorscale for more information on colorscale customization.

You can select Single color to apply a single color to all curves. In this case you can select a color from the drop-down list.

Figure 41: Single color

This option is mainly relevant when using M1D curves and multi-line displays to set the same color for all curves, such as a world map:

Figure 42: World map

Isolines

Isolines

Isolines are the lines of the contours.

Select either a single color from the color palette for all isolines or custom colors for each isoline. When the option custom colors is selected, the color of an isoline is defined by the colorscale from the custom tab.

Figure 43: Isolines using custom colors

Note

You can choose not to fill the contour with a color if you uncheck the colormap box.

You can add the values of the isolines on the graph by checking the box show text.

Figure 44: Isolines with values

Mesh

This option allows you to display the mesh on the graph. The mesh is a polygon mesh whose vertices are defined by data points.

Figure 45: Mesh of contour plot