Using Plots:

The plot contains many features and several editable items which allow the user to customize a plot.

Selecting Items:

The axes, number lines, axis titles, graph title, the graph and additional items such as arrows or labels, can be selected by clicking.  Each item is contained within an invisible box (with the exception of arrows which are self-contained.)  When the mouse is clicked inside this box, the item will be selected and several dark gray boxes will appear surrounding the item.  When a text item is selected, a cursor will automatically appear in the text so that it can be edited; this is called edit-selecting.  In order to select the entire text field, hold the control key and drag a box around the field.  This will select the field and a cursor will not appear.    

Once an item is selected, it can be cut (deleted), copied and pasted (the graph itself cannot be cut, or pasted into its own window.)  The last item to be cut or copied will be pasted into the pasteboard, and thus can be pasted into other applications.  In addition, items (excluding the graph) cut or copied from other applications using the same plot object can be pasted into the plot.  Tiffs and sounds can be copied from other applications or can be dragged in from the Workspace.  Some items such as labels, arrows and tiffs can be moved and resized, but most items are placed and sized automatically.

Text fields that are edit-selected can be edited just as any other text in the application.  If the application contains a font panel, then it may be used to modify the text. In fact, any item with text in it can be changed using the Font Panel.  

If the application contains a color panel, the user can drag a bit of color from its color well and drop it on any item in the plot to change its color.

Changing the View:

The user can zoom in on a point of interest in the graph by holding the Command key and dragging a box inside the graph.  The portion of the graph inside the selected box will zoom to fill the box that the graph occupied. It will zoom in a manner such that the x and y axis ranges are most presentable.

In addition to this feature, if the user drags one end of a selected number line, the range for the appropriate axis will change.  Dragging toward the center of the number line will decrease the range, while dragging away will increase the range.  The number line will change in real time to reflect the new range.  Once the user releases the mouse button, the graph will resize itself to the this range.

Adding Labels:
 
A label can be added by holding the Alt key and clicking a point.  The label will contain the graph coordinates of the point clicked (even if the point clicked is outside the graph.)  The label is editable so its text can be changed.  

Terms:

Plot refers to everything in the plot window.

Graph refers to the grid, data points and data lines.

Graph coordinates refer to the location of a point with respect to the origin of the graph.

Screen coordinates refer to the location of a point with respect to the plot window.