Re: [Matplotlib-users] scientific notation in ticklabels for linear plot

[David P. <dj...@gm...>]

I agree with Jonathan and would very much like to see this feature implemented.  The example shown in the thread didn't show the "×" symbol, however, which would be nice to have -- e.g. it should read 2.0 × 10² rather than 2.0 10².

David


On Oct 19, 2010, at 1:08 PM, Friedrich Romstedt wrote:

> 2010/10/18 Jonathan Slavin <js...@cf...>:
>> I'm wondering if there's some relatively automatic way to have the
>> ticklabels to come out in scientific notation for an axis that uses a
>> linear scale (and has a range that warrants scientific notation)?  For
>> example, an axis that goes from 0 to 2.E18 by default uses the labels 0,
>> 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and puts 1e18 at the end of the axis.  To me this is
>> unappealing. 1e18 is a computer programming way to write the 10^{18} (in
>> LaTeX formatting).  In IDL the ticklabels are 5.0x10^{17}, 1.0x10^{18},
>> 1.5x10^{18}, 2.0x10^{18}.  This is one instance where I think IDL gets
>> it right and matplotlib gets it wrong.  So, as far as I can tell, one
>> can give the ticklabels by hand, and so I could achieve my desired
>> labels that way, but it'd be nice to have a more automatic way to do it.
>> Searching the examples, I've come up empty so far.  I would also
>> advocate changing the default format for labeling axes that fall in this
>> category.  Do the developers have any opinions on this?
> 
> There's a thread some monthes ago about this, I provided code to do
> this.  Currently, this Formatter class didn't make it into matplotlib
> due a lack of providing a patch by me.  If others agree that this
> would be a good feature, I'll clean the code if necessary and provide
> another patch for this.
> 
> Looking for the thread ...
> http://article.gmane.org/gmane.comp.python.matplotlib.general/23824/match=scientific+notation+friedrich
> 
> IIRC, the formatter class does NOT provide automatic choice of
> appropriate exponent, i.e. you have to provide this in instantiation
> time.
> 
> hth, and let me know about any progress,
> Friedrich
> 
> P.S.: I just gave the thread link and didn't look into it further.
> But it should be the message I remembered.
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Download new Adobe(R) Flash(R) Builder(TM) 4
> The new Adobe(R) Flex(R) 4 and Flash(R) Builder(TM) 4 (formerly 
> Flex(R) Builder(TM)) enable the development of rich applications that run
> across multiple browsers and platforms. Download your free trials today!
> http://p.sf.net/sfu/adobe-dev2dev
> _______________________________________________
> Matplotlib-users mailing list
> Mat...@li...
> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/matplotlib-users