Light ROM 1/LIGHT-ROM 1 (Amiga Library Services)(1994).iso/ffdisks/d918.lha/MultiPlot/Docs/Multiplot.doc

Text File | 1993-10-04 | 94KB | 2,448 lines

MULTIPLOT XLNf ª©
Release 1.0
with Zounds! ª©






The program Multiplot XLNf is Shareware. All rights to the
source code, programs and text belong to, and copyrights are
held by, Alan Baxter. This manual is used under license and
may not be copied, leased, or  resold.

 Cambridge University Department of Pathology,
Division of Immunology, Tennis Court Road,
Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK.

10/3/1993



CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
This is the 6th version of Multiplot XLN which is the premier
data plotting program for the Commodore Amiga. It is used in
over 30 Universities world wide and Multiplot graphs have been
published in peer reviewed science journals and presented at
international scientific meetings.
REGISTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION CONDITIONS
Multiplot is not in the public domain. It is now (from XLNe)
shareware and a shareware fee of USD $30, £20 UK or ASD
$40 is requested. The shareware fee entitles the licensee to the
most recent version of Multiplot, a printed manual, free bug
fixes and discount upgrades. Extra copies of the manual and an
ARexx examples companion disk are available  to registered
users for $10 USD and $5 USD respectively. The printed manual
and ARexx examples companion disk are not shareware, and
may not be copied or distributed without the author's
permission.
        Multiplot may be freely distributed, but not included in a
commercial package without express consent of the author. It is
periodically released to Mr Fred Fish, who is licensed to
distribute it in any form he sees fit providing the distribution
package contains documentation and examples. This package
may then be compressed and posted on any electronic
distribution service.
        These programs are in no way designed or intended for
professional use. Any damages or losses resulting from
inappropriate application of any or all of this distribution
whether accidental or intentional, are not the responsibility of
the author, his wife, agent, mother or (much missed) labrador;
and should not, under any circumstances, be compounded by
attempting long and fruitless legal action.
        All rights to the documentation, source code and programs
are reserved.
        The inclusion of the PLT: device with Multiplot in no way
implies any change in, or affects the distribution conditions of
that package. Please read the documentation provided with PLT:
for further information.

SUMMARY
Multiplot XLN is a fully intuitive data plotting program. It
plots data points as (x,y) co-ordinates with or without x or y
error bars. It can plot an unlimited number of sets with any
number of data points using colour, line type, line weight,
point shape and point size to represent the different sets. A
set may be joined by a line or plotted as discrete points. Data
may be impulse plotted, scatter plotted, or shown as a
histogram or step graph. Additions to the data may be made in
the form of lines of best fit (logarithmic, exponential, linear
and polynomial) and data smoothing utilising modified open
b-splines or averaging filtration. The input file for Multiplot is
a simple textfile and my be created in any ASCII text editor or
saved from any spreadsheet. Multiplot supports the clipboard,
and data input may be achieved solely through it. Multiplot has
a full ARexx interface which provides potential for a wide
variety of data manipulations including statistical analysis.
        Output may be in any of the following formats: IntroCAD,
Draw, mCAD, IFF, Revised Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language
(HPGL/2), Encapsulated Postscript (EPSF) or Postscript. The
graph can be printed to any workbench printer by transparent
use of the PLT: device. Multiplot directly supports the HP
LaserJet III and Postscript laser printers such as the Apple
Laser printer.

REQUIREMENTS
*Workbench 2.0 (or higher) including:
        Maths libraries,
        Assignment of ENV:, T:, and CLIPS:.
        The C: directory must contain the files c:mount and
           c:type.

*The PLT: device is necessary for printing. It consists of:
        -PLT:-handler in the L: directory
        -The mountlist entry for PLT: added to the devs:mountlist
         (WB2.0) OR The device driver to be placed in the
         storage/dosdrivers directory (> WB2.0).
        -Assignment of the PLTDATA: directory containing PLT fonts.

*The PLT: device requires that a printer has been selected in
the printer preferences window. The "Generic" printer driver is
not sufficient, and trying to use PLT: without defining a
printer will result in a software error  (number 80000005).

*At least 1Mb RAM.

*The directory which contains Multiplot must contain a
subdirectory called "MPlot_support" (without the quotes) which
must contain the files "intro.scn", "txt_2_icad", "plot2draw" and
"HPGL2PS" (without the quotes).

*The file ÒMPlot.defÓ should either be in the "MPlot_support"
directory, or in the S: directory.

*Zounds!  requires that the files "say.znd", "ask.znd", "ding.znd"
and "zounds.img" be in the "MPlot_support" directory.

* ARexx support requires that rexxmast be running, RC be in
the SYS:rexc directory, and that the /Rexx directory containing
Multiplot ARexx scripts be in the Multiplot directory.

INSTALLATION
1) Open the Multiplot/PLT drawer and activate the PLT
installation script by double clicking the left mouse button on
the icon appropriate to you current operating system.
2) Drag the entire Multiplot drawer to the new location.
3) Add a line to your S:user-startup file assigning the
PLTDATA: directory

        eg:
                assign PLTDATA: <filepath>/Multiplot/PLT/

THE Zounds! AUDITORY CUING SYSTEM
Auditory cuing systems (ACS) are standard interfaces of sounds
triggered by actions within application programs. The sounds
are used to inform the user of a change in status of the
program. Particular sounds are used to identify specific changes
and become part of the user interface helping to orient the
user.
        Zounds! is a state of the art ACS developed for the
Amiga. It is available for license to other developers and its
incorporation into other application programs is encouraged by
the author. It provides a set standard alerting sounds that are
triggered whenever the program unexpectedly has something to
tell the user. Sounds are not triggered directly as a result of
user selection of icons, objects or menu selections.
        A message requester triggers a sound like "Didlepom"; a
falling tone not dissimilar to the falling tones used in speech
when stating fact. A rising tone, "Bombidit" is triggered by
requesters that are asking for a response from the user. The
rising tones reflect those used in speech when asking a
question.
        The Zounds!  volume is set at application start-up either
in the command line when the application is started from the
CLI or by setting the tool types appropriately in the icon when
using the Workbench. If the volume is set to 0 at start-up,
Zounds!  is disabled.

Example:
        From the CLI                            >Multiplot VOLUME=0
        From the Workbench, set Tool Types to   VOLUME=0

        Zounds!  is completely user configurable. The sound
samples used by Zounds! have names ending in the post fix
.znd, are stored in a support directory (MPlot_support), and are
in the standard Amiga 8SVX IFF format. These samples may be
replaced by sounds chosen by the user.

CHAPTER 2: START-UP OPTIONS

WORKBENCH OPTIONS
The workbench start-up options are defined in the Multiplot
icon and are set as tool types. The following options are
available:

SCREENMODE Keyword to be followed by one of the following:

        HIRES           Indicates 640 pixel wide (+ overscan) mode.

        SUPER           Indicates 1280 pixel wide (+ overscan)
mode.
        PRODUCT Indicates VGA compatible mode.
        LACE            May be or'ed (|) with any of the above
modes to double the vertical resolution

        A2024           Supports the Commodore A2024 monitor.
        TENHERTZ        May be or'ed (|) with A2024 to indicate sync
speed.
        FIFTEENHERTZ    May be or'ed (|) with A2024 to indicate
sync speed.

If the SCREENMODE tooltype is not included, Multiplot will
clone the characteristics of the Workbench screen.

        Example: SCREENMODE=HIRES|LACE produces 640 x
400/512 screen.

SCREENDEPTH Keyword to be followed by screen depth in
planes. Currently only 1 to 4 planes are available in HIRES and
1 to 2 planes in productivity. One bit plane provides 2 colours,
2 bit planes provides 4 colours, 3 bit planes provides 8 colours
and 4 bit planes provides 16 colours.

        Example: SCREENDEPTH=3 produces an 8 colour screen.

SCREENWIDTH Keyword to be followed by width of screen in
pixels. Screens wider than the current visible size are opened
as autoscroll screens.

        Example: SCREENWIDTH=720 produces maximum horizontal
overscan for a hires screen.

SCREENHEIGHT Keyword to be followed by height of screen in
pixels. Screens taller than the current visible size are opened
as autoscroll screens.

        Example SCREENHEIGHT=484 produces maximum vertical
overscan for an NTSC interlaced screen.

STARTPRI Keyword to be followed by priority the Multiplot
process should be run at. In general, priority should be
between -5 and 5 to avoid conflicts with other currently active
processes. Multiplot must be run at a lower priority than the
PLT: device to avoid a scheduling lock-out.

        Example: STARTPRI=3 results in slightly faster execution.

PUBSCREEN Keyword to be followed by the name of a public
screen for Multiplot to open on. Note that the public screen
name need only include the first word of the screens name,
and that the name is case sensitive. For example Workbench is
recognised but WORKBENCH is not.

        Example: PUBSCREEN=Workbench results in Multiplot
running on the workbench instead of its own screen.

STARTUP Keyword to be followed by name of an ARexx macro
to be run from the DATA SELECTION WINDOW at start-up.

        Example: STARTUP=Rexx/Loadtable.mpt runs macro on
start-up.

PORTNAME Keyword to be followed name for ARexx port when
opened. The default name is MULTIPLOT.nn where nn is the
lowest available number producing a unique port name.

        Example: PORTNAME=TAWNY Names the ARexx port for
Multiplot "TAWNY"

SETTINGS Keyword to be followed by the name of a file
containing initial settings. If not set, the file
MPlot_support/MPlot.def is read. The defaults file defines the
screen colours, printed pen thicknesses, axes (number, type,
range), grid and tics, plot labels and locks.

        Example: SETTINGS=s:MyNiceColours Loads settings from
named file.

QUIET   Prevents opening of the introduction WINDOW. It is
useful for remote start-up of Multiplot especially if invoked
from an ARexx macro, or if you are just sick of seeing the
introduction WINDOW.

        Example: QUIET

VOLUME  Sets the volume of Zounds!  Auditory Cuing System
to a value between 0 and 64. Setting a volume of 0 switches
off Zounds! completely.

        Example: VOLUME=0 Switches off Zounds! Auditory Cuing
System.

PSFONT  Sets the postscript output font to that named. The
keyword PSFONT must be followed by one of:
        Times-Roman
        Helvetica
        Helv-Narrow
        AvantGarde
        Bookman
        Palatino
        ZapfChancery
        Courier

        Example: PSFONT=Times-Roman  Switches both postscript
printed output and EPSF output fonts to Times-Roman

PSPAGE  Sets the postscript printed page size, ensuring
correct placement of graphs on pages with different aspect
ratios. The keyword PSPAGE must be followed by one of:
        A       Sets USA page size A
        4       Sets to international standard A4 page size

        Example: PSPAGE=A  Sets postscript page size to USA
page size A.

CLI OPTIONS
The CLI start-up options are defined on the command line and
are summarised in the template:

Multiplot FILES, QUIET/S, PUBSCREEN/K, PORTNAME/K,
STARTUP/K, SETTINGS/K, SCREENDEPTH/N,
SCREENWIDTH/K/N, SCREENHEIGHT/K/N, SCREENMODE/K,
STARTPRI/K/N, VOLUME/K/N, PSPAGE/K, PSFONT/K

Where:
        ,(comma) indicates no arguments or separates arguments,
        /K       indicates the keyword is required,
        /S       indicates a switch keyword, and
        /N       indicates a numerical argument is required.

These keywords provide the following options:

FILES Keyword to be followed by name of file to be loaded on
invocation. If file was written by Multiplot it will be
autoloaded. If this argument is used together with the QUIET
argument, Multiplot will open a Plot window on start-up.

        Example: Multiplot FILES Data/Eric.dat

SCREENDEPTH Keyword to be followed by screen depth in
planes. Currently only 1 to 4 planes are available in HIRES and
1 to 2 planes in productivity. One bit plane provides 2 colours,
2 bit planes provides 4 colours, 3 bit planes provides 8 colours
and 4 bit planes provides 16 colours.

        Example: Multiplot SCREENDEPTH 3 produces an 8 colour
screen.

SCREENWIDTH Keyword to be followed by width of screen in
pixels. Screens wider than the current visible size are opened
as autoscroll screens.

        Example: Multiplot SCREENWIDTH 720 produces maximum
horizontal overscan for a hires screen.

SCREENHEIGHT Keyword to be followed by height of screen in
pixels. Screens higher than the current visible size are opened
as autoscroll screens.

        Example: Multiplot SCREENHEIGHT 484 produces maximum
vertical overscan for an NTSC interlaced screen.

SCREENMODE Keyword to be followed by one of the following:

        HIRES                   Indicates 640 pixel wide by 200/256
high (+ overscan) mode.
        HIRESLACE               Indicates 640 pixel wide by 400/512 high (+
overscan) mode.
        SUPER                   Indicates 1280 pixel wide by 200/256
high (+ overscan) mode.
        SUPERLACE               Indicates 1280 pixel wide by 400/512 high
(+ overscan) mode.
        VGAPROD                 Indicates VGA compatible mode.
        VGAPRODUCTLACE  Indicates interlaced VGA compatible
mode.
        A2024TENHERTZ   Supports the Commodore A2024 monitor at
sync speed of 10Hz.
        A2024FIFTEENHERTZ       Supports the Commodore A2024
monitor at sync speed of 15Hz.

If the SCREENMODE keyword is not included, Multiplot will
clone the characteristics of the Workbench screen.

        Example: SCREENMODE HIRESLACE produces 640 x
400/512 screen.

STARTPRI Keyword to be followed by priority the Multiplot
process should be run at. In general, priority should be
between -5 and 5 to avoid conflicts with other currently active
processes. Multiplot must be run at a lower priority than the
PLT: device to avoid a scheduling lock-out.

        Example: Multiplot STARTPRI 3 results in slightly faster
execution.

PUBSCREEN Keyword to be followed by the name of a public
screen for Multiplot to open on. Note that the public screen
name need only include the first word of the screens name,
and that the name is case sensitive. For example Workbench is
recognised but WORKBENCH is not.

        Example: Multiplot PUBSCREEN Workbench results in
Multiplot running on the workbench instead of its own screen.

STARTUP Keyword to be followed by name of an ARexx macro
to be run from the DATA SELECTION WINDOW at start-up.

        Example: Multiplot STARTUP Rexx/LoadTable.mpt  runs
macro on start-up.

PORTNAME Keyword to be followed name for ARexx Port when
opened. The default name is MULTIPLOT.nn where nn is the
lowest available number producing a unique port name.

        Example: Multiplot PORTNAME TAWNY Names the ARexx
port for Multiplot "TAWNY"

SETTINGS Keyword to be followed by the name of a defaults
file containing initial settings. If not set, the file
MPlot_support/MPlot.def is read. The defaults file defines the
screen colours, printed pen thicknesses, axes (number, type,
range), grid and tics, plot labels and locks.

        Example: Multiplot SETTINGS s:MyNiceColours Loads
settings from named file.

QUIET   Prevents opening of introduction WINDOW. Useful for
remote start-up of Multiplot especially if invoked from an
ARexx macro, or if you are just sick of seeing the introduction
WINDOW.

        Example: Multiplot QUIET

VOLUME  Sets the volume of Zounds! Auditory Cuing System to
a value between 0 and 64. Setting a volume of 0 switches off
Zounds! completely.

        Example: VOLUME 0 Switches off Zounds! Auditory Cuing
System.

PSFONT  Sets the postscript output font to that named. The
keyword PSFONT must be followed by one of:
        Times-Roman
        Helvetica
        Helv-Narrow
        AvantGarde
        Bookman
        Palatino
        ZapfChancery
        Courier

        Example: Multiplot PSFONT Times-Roman  Switches both
postscript printed output and EPSF output fonts to
Times-Roman

PSPAGE  Sets the postscript printed page size, ensuring
correct placement of graphs on pages with different aspect
ratios. The keyword PSPAGE must be followed by one of:
        A       Sets USA page size A
        4       Sets to international standard A4 page size

        Example: Multiplot PSPAGE A  Sets postscript page size
to USA page size A.


CHAPTER 3: WINDOWS

THE INTRODUCTION WINDOW
This window opens on start-up. It may be closed to continue
on to use the program by clicking either mouse button or
hitting any key on the keyboard. This window may be
prevented from opening by using the QUIET start-up option. It
is important that the QUIET option be used if Multiplot is
invoked from an ARexx script, as this window does not have an
ARexx interface.

THE DATA SELECTION WINDOW
This window is for indicating the location and format of a data
file to be input into Multiplot. Do not attempt to type raw
data into this window! The DATA SELECTION WINDOW opens
on start-up following the introduction WINDOW or may be
opened by selecting the  menu options PROJECT/Open file,
PROJECT/Add file or PROJECT/New graph. The following is a
list of the major buttons with in the DATA SELECTION
WINDOW and their functions.
        The FILE NAME box contains the name of the data file to
be plotted. The text within this box can be edited by clicking
the left mouse button while the pointer is over the box, and
then typing the new file name. If the FILE NAME box does not
contain a file name, then Multiplot will open a new graph with
no data loaded. Data can then be entered manually or pasted
from the clipboard.
        The PATH button will call up a file requester to help with
browsing through directories trees looking for wanted data
files. The selected file name is pasted into the FILE NAME box
when the requester is closed.
        The NONE button will clear the FILE NAME box.
        The CONTINUE button accepts current settings, closes the
DATA SELECTION WINDOW and loads the data from the file
indicated in the FILE NAME box into the PLOT WINDOW for
rendering the default graph.
        Beneath the file selection box are six other boxes to
indicate what column the X, Y and Error values are in. A '0'
indicates value is absent. For example if the Y Error box has a
'0', no error bars will be plotted. If the X box has a '0', the X
values will be assumed to start at 0 and increase by 1 with
each data point. If the Low Error box has a '0' but the Error
box contains a valid column number, the error bars will be
assumed to be symmetrical about the data point. If however,
the Low Error column is defined, asymmetrical error bars may
be plotted. When satisfied with the file and column
specification, hit the return key or click on the CONTINUE
button and the selected data file will be checked to ensure it
has the number of columns required, and loaded if suitable.
        If the file you identified when invoking Multiplot has
previously been written by Multiplot, it will autoload without
presenting you with the DATA SELECTION WINDOW.

THE PLOT WINDOW
This window opens after the data file and its data columns
have been defined either by loading a Multiplot File Format 2
file, or by entering the information in the DATA SELECTION
WINDOW. The PLOT WINDOW fills the entire screen and
contains a hand crafted menu for your computing pleasure.
Visible on the window will be a either a default plot of your
data or the data plotted in the previously saved format (if
loaded from a Multiplot File Format 2 file). This plot will show
lines and points with a different colour and point type for each
data set.
        The PLOT window contains 5 regions. The central area is
where the data is represented. The left margin contains the Y
values and Y axis label of any left Y hand axes. The right
margin contains the Y values and Y axis label of any right Y
axes as well as any plot legends. The lower margin contains
the X values and the X axis label and the top margin may
contain the plot title.
        On starting Multiplot, the pointer action is set to
SELECT. In this mode it is possible to select objects to alter
their characteristics. A data set may be selected by clicking
the left mouse button near one of its points. A legend may be
selected by clicking the left mouse button on it. In this mode,
double clicking on an object will call up an edit window to
change some feature of the object. Double clicking on a point
in a data set will call up the CUSTOM PLOT window, and
allow you to change line type, colour, point type and point size
of the data set. It will also allow you to skip rendering that
set or delete it completely. Double clicking on a legend will
call the EDIT TEXT window, to allow you to edit the text in
the legend. Double clicking in the top margin will call up the
EDIT TEXT window to allow you to edit or add a title. Double
clicking on an axis tic value allows you to edit the text of
that value. This text will be reset on rescaling the axis unless
the axis values lock is set in the AXIS window. Double clicking
the left mouse button beneath the X Axis calls up the EDIT
AXIS WINDOW to edit the X Axis, while double clicking to the
right of a right hand Y Axis or to the left of a left hand Y
Axis produces the EDIT AXIS WINDOW to edit the appropriate
Y AXIS. The EDIT AXIS WINDOW allows you to set the
minimum and maximum tic values, the number colour and type
of tics, and edit the axis label.
        In the SELECT mode, it is possible to move text around
the screen by pressing the left mouse button while the pointer
is over the text, holding it down, and dragging the text to the
desired location. If the movement is small, a screen refresh
may need to by forced by selecting the menu option
ACTIONS/Redraw. Several blocks of text can be moved
together, without changing their relationship to each other by
group selecting them. Click on one block of text, hold down
the shift key and select the others, then without releasing the
left mouse button, drag the blocks of text to their new
location. To move text vertically without any horizontal
movement, select (or group select) the text, and while still
holding down the left mouse button, press and hold down the
'v' key on the keyboard. Then drag the text to its new
location. To move text horizontally without any vertical
movement, select (or group select) the text, and while still
holding down the left mouse button, press and hold down the
'h' key on the keyboard. Then drag the text to its new
location. To return Axis values to their default positions
(sometimes necessary if changes to margins or other formatting
has displaced the value labels from the tics on the axes) select
the ACTIONS/Update menu option.
        Single data points can be moved in a similar manner. To
select a data point, click the left mouse button over it while
holding down the Ctrl key. Several data points may be group
selected by holding down the shift key as well as the Ctrl key
while selecting the points. To move data points vertically
without any horizontal movement, select (or group select) the
points, and while still holding down the left mouse button,
press and hold down the 'v' key on the keyboard. Then drag
the points to their new location. To move points horizontally
without any vertical movement, select (or group select) the
points, and while still holding down the left mouse button,
press and hold down the 'h' key on the keyboard. Then drag
the points to their new location.
        Multiple items of different natures may be group selected
together. It is possible to select whole data sets, single points
and text in one go. Note however that only data points and
text can be moved. Objects can be aligned by group selecting
the objects to be aligned and then choosing the ACTIONS/Align
Vertical or ACTIONS/Align Horizontal menu options.
        A curve reader is also available in the SELECT mode. If
the Alt key is held down when the left mouse button is
pressed, the co-ordinates of the point indicated will be given.
The curve reader automatically compensates for log axes,
zooming and sliding.
        The pointer action can be set to ZOOM or SLIDE by
selecting these subitems from the Pointer Action option in the
EDIT menu. The action of the pointer in these modes is
described in CHAPTER 4.
        The menus available from the PLOT WINDOW are
PROJECT which relates to the loading, saving and printing of
plots, EDIT which allows you to delete, copy, paste, import and
export data and text, ACTIONS which allows modification of
the plot, resizing, shifting and zoom, OPTIONS which changes
the screen palette, axes, and cross hairs; and FUNCTIONS
which allows special actions like data smoothing, line fitting
and data sorting and provides access to ARexx macros. The
major menu selections are described in CHAPTER 4.

THE CUSTOM PLOT WINDOW
This window can be invoked either by double clicking the left
mouse button while the pointer is over any of the data set's
points and Multiplot is in SELECT mode, or by selecting the
ACTIONS/redefine menu option. The CUSTOM PLOT WINDOW
allows you to select plot colours, line type, Y-axis and whether
data is plotted as a line, series of points, both, a histogram, or
a step plot. If points are drawn, the point size and point type
can be selected.
        The COLOUR bar displays the data set colour. The colour
is selected by clicking the left mouse button  over the
COLOUR bar which then cycles through the available options.
Note that in monochrome output, the line thickness of each
colour  (or "pen") can be set from within the PRINT SETUP
WINDOW. This enables the user to assign different pen weights
to either different data sets or different graph elements. For
example, the axis tic marks could be in the finest pen, the
data sets in a medium weight pen, and the axes in the thickest
pen.
        The POINT SIZE box displays the current point size which
can be changed either by clicking the left mouse button over
either the up or down arrows, or by clicking within the POINT
SIZE box to edit the value directly. If the pointsize is set to
'0', each point will print as the smallest possible point
achievable by the output device. For example a point of size '0'
would print on an Apple LaserPrinter as a dot 1/300th inch in
diameter.
        The LINE TYPE box displays the current line type that
data set is rendered in. The line type is selected by clicking
the left mouse button over the LINE TYPE box which then
cycles through the available options.
        The PLOT TYPE selection is highlighted in the array of
options.  Data may be plotted as points, lines, points and lines,
step graph (with or without points) and impulse plots. The step
graph is of the form change in X followed by change in Y. The
point type may be selected from the panel of six mutually
exclusive buttons on the right of the window.
        The POINT TYPE selection is highlighted in the array of
options. The point type is selected by clicking the left mouse
button over the button displaying the desired point type.
        The AXIS box defines the Y axis the data set will be
plotted in. If the current graph has only a single Y Axis, this
box will be blank. Otherwise, the Y Axis is indicated by moving
the marker within the box.
        The CONTINUE button will accept changes and proceed to
the Plot window where the plot is rendered.
        The SKIP button will skip the data set, so that it will not
be plotted when the PLOT window is updated. The missing data
set can then be recalled by selecting the ACTIONS/Redefine
Plot menu option, and pushing the CONTINUE button when
presented with the data set.
        The KILL button is similar to the SKIP button but its
effects are permanent. A single level of undelete is supported
and dead data set can be revived with the EDIT/Undelete menu
option providing nothing else has been deleted subsequently.
        The STOP button closes the Custom Plot window without
accepting any changes. If the window was opened by selecting
the ACTIONS/Redefine Plot menu option, the STOP button will
also skip all remaining data sets without presenting the Custom
Plot window for them.

THE AXIS WINDOW
This window can be called by double clicking the left mouse
button over the axis to be edited with the Mouse Action menu
option set to SELECT mode. It allows the following
characteristics of the axis to be edited:

        *Position (RIGHT or LEFT) of the graph may be set if
there are more than one Y axes and the current axis being
edited is any Y axis other than the first one. To add a right
hand Y axis to a graph, select the EDIT/Add/Axis menu option,
then edit the new (upper) Y axes by double clicking over  its
left margin, and set the position to the right side by activating
the RIGHT position button.

        *Minimum and maximum axis values. The axis scale may be
reversed by placing the higher value in the minimum value box
and the lower value in the maximum value box. This results in
mirror image reversal of the data.

        *The number of major tics/grid lines. The number of
major subdivisions may vary from 1 to 20.

        *Colour of major tics/grid lines.  Note that in
monochrome output, the line thickness of each colour  (or
"pen") can be set from within the PRINT SETUP WINDOW. This
enables the user to assign different pen weights to different
graph elements. For example, the axis tic marks could be in
the finest pen, the data sets in a medium weight pen, and the
axes in the thickest pen.

        *Line type of major tics/grid lines.

        *The number of minor tics/grid lines. The number of
minor subdivisions may vary from 1 to 10.

        *Colour of minor tics/grid lines. Note that in monochrome
output, the line thickness of each colour (or "pen") can be set
from within the PRINT SETUP WINDOW. This enables the user
to assign different pen weights to either different data sets or
different graph elements. For example, the axis tic marks could
be in the finest pen, the data sets in a medium weight pen,
and the axes in the thickest pen.

        *Line type of minor tics/grid lines.

        *Axis scale type. The axes may be set as linear or
logarithmic independently allowing log/lin, lin/log, log/log and
lin/lin plots. Also available are Category axes in which each
data set is given a value along the axis resulting in a
scattergram. Either the X or the Y axis may be set as a
category axis, providing vertical or horizontal scattergrams. The
category axis provides default values which may be altered to
distinguish points which overlap each other. For example, a
vertical scattergram may be produced by setting the X axis to
a category axis. Two overlapping points may be separated by
selecting the point (Ctrl-LMB), locking movement to horizontal
(hold down the 'h' key) and dragging one point clear of the
other.

        *The axis label.

        *Scale Lock. A lock may be set preventing rescaling of
the axis.

        *Values Lock. A lock may be set preventing overwriting
of the axis values.

        Note that the current axis settings are taken into account
for linear fits of data. For example, if the Y axis is
logarithmic and the X axis linear, an exponential fit is
produced (a straight line on a lin/log scale). If the X axis is
logarithmic and the Y axis linear, a log fit is produced (a
straight line on a log/lin scale). Log/log and true linear fits
are also available.

THE EDIT POINT WINDOW
This window may be called up for any data point by holding
down the Ctrl key and double clicking the left mouse button
over the desired data point with the Mouse Action menu option
set to SELECT mode. This window allows the X and Y values
of a point to be individually set, and the X and Y error bars
to be altered. Note that the error bars need not be
symmetrical, and one direction error bars are supported.

THE EDIT TEXT WINDOW
This window is called mode by double clicking the left mouse
button over some text or selecting some text and activating the
EDIT/Add/Text menu option while the mouse action is in
SELECT; or by clicking the left mouse button on the LABEL
button in the AXIS WINDOW
It allows the alteration and creation of the plot title, axis
labels and values, data set legends and added text.
        The TEXT Box displays the text and allows direct editing
by clicking the left mouse button within the TEXT box and
typing in the new text.
        The FONT button calls up a font requester to allow
browsing of available fonts and to preview them before use.
        The FONT box describes the current font selection and
allows direct changes to be made without opening the font
requester.
        The POINT SIZE box describes the current font size
selection and allows direct changes to be made without opening
the font requester.
        The CONTINUE button accepts current changes and closes
the EDIT TEXT WINDOW.
        The STOP button rejects current changes and closes the
EDIT TEXT WINDOW.

THE PRINT SET-UP WINDOW
This window is called by selecting the PROJECT/Print Setup
menu option.  This window allows the selection of print
orientation, size and position of the current graph.
        The SIZE slide bar sets the size of the plot on the
printed page. The default setting is for the plot to fill the
page. Clicking within the slider's run allows changes in size
from 10% to 100% in 10% increments. Dragging the slider allows
finer control of the plot size.
        The ORIENTATION button controls the orientation of the
plot. Default is for the plot to be printed in landscape (with
the page lying down). Orientation may be toggled between
landscape and portrait by clicking the left mouse button over
the icon which represents the current setting.
        The position of the plot on the page can be set by
dragging the square within the POSITION box. The square
represents the plot and the border of the box represents the
full page.
        Pen descriptions for PLT: may be defined from this
window. Each pen is described by the COLOUR bar  on the
right hand side of the PRINT SETUP WINDOW. The pen
currently being edited is identified by its colour and may be
chosen by clicking the left mouse button over the COLOUR bar
to cycle through all the pens available. The number shown
immediately below the COLOUR bar indicates the pen thickness.
The pen thickness may be set for each pen, will be used when
printing via PLT:, and is saved in the defaults file. This
enables the user to assign different pen weights to different
graph elements. For example, the axis tic marks could be in
the finest pen, the data sets in a medium weight pen, and the
axes in the thickest pen.
        The SPOOL button toggles on and off the print spool
which allows printing to continue in the background while you
return to editing a new plot. Once the print spool has been
started, Multiplot may even be quit without interrupting
printing. To stop printing a spooled file, click the left mouse
button on the "close gadget" (top left corner) of the PLT
window on the WorkBench.
        The PRINT button selects which of the currently open
graphs should be printed on the page when the PROJECT/Print
menu option. Only graphs in which the PRINT button is
highlighted in the PRINT SET-UP WINDOW will print. A graph
may be "turned off" by deselecting this button.

THE CO-ORDINATES WINDOW
This window may be opened by selecting the
OPTIONS/Coordinates menu option. It displays the pixel
location of the pointer within the currently activated PLOT
WINDOW.

THE ABOUT WINDOW
This window is opened by selecting the PROJECT/About menu
option. It contains the name and address of the author and
information about registering Multiplot.

THE PULL WINDOW
This window is opened by using the 'PULL' ARexx command. It
returns to the ARexx environment any text variable entered by
the user. It may be used to obtain information or values form
the user from an ARexx script.

CHAPTER 4: MENUS

THE PROJECT MENU

OPEN FILE       (Left-Amiga O)
Returns you to the DATA SELECTION window for loading a
new file, erasing all open graphs.

ADD FILE        (Left-Amiga A)
Opens the DATA SELECTION window for loading a new data
file. All data sets and text described in that file will be added
to the current graph.

NEW GRAPH       (Left-Amiga N)
Opens the DATA SELECTION window for loading a new data
file, which will be loaded onto a fresh graph in a new window.


SWAP GRAPH
Brings the indicated PLOT WINDOW to the front and sizes it
to fill the screen.

EXIT GRAPH      (Left-Amiga E)
Closes the current graph without quitting the program. If there
are no other graphs open, it will open the DATA SELECTION
window to select a new graph.

SAVE    (Left-Amiga S)
Saves data, formatting and text as a Multiplot file format 2
(FF2) file, overwriting original data file.

SAVEAS
Saves plots in any of the following formats: IFF (loads into
DPaint), Draw (loads into Draw2000 etc), IntroCAD (an
excellent CAD program), mCAD (a PD CAD program), HPGL
plotter language, Encapsulated Postscript and Postscript.

DEFAULTS
Saves and loads current axes, tics and grid markings, pen
thickness, font and palette selections. The default file used is
MPlot_support/MPlot.def unless defined as another file with the
SETTINGS start-up option or loaded by selecting the
PROJECT/Defaults/Load menu option.
Load:   Loads a new default file and reformats the currently
active plot with the new settings.
Save:   Saves default file with current name.
Save As: Opens a file requester to save the default file under a
new name.

PRINT PREVIEW
Print preview is achieved via the transparent use of the PLT:
device. The PLT-handler must be in your l: directory, and the
PLT: mountlist must be added to your Devs:mountlist. You do
not need to mount the device as Multiplot will mount PLT:
automatically if it is not already mounted.

PRINT SET-UP
Opens the Print Setup window which allows the selection of
print orientation, size and position of the graph on the page as
well as selecting between colour and black and white printing.
The print spooler can be toggled on or off from this window.

PRINT           (Left-Amiga P)
Printing is achieved via the transparent use of the PLT: device.

ABOUT
Opens the ABOUT WINDOW displaying information about the
author and registration of Multiplot.

QUIT            (Left-Amiga Q)
Exits the program without saving any changes.

THE EDIT MENU

UNDELETE        (Left-Amiga Z)
Replaces the last blocks of text or data sets deleted. Only a
single level of undelete is maintained, but it may contain
multiple items if, for example, several data sets were group
selected and deleted.

CUT             Left-Amiga X)
Deletes the selected data sets or text blocks and places an IFF
FTXT text copy of in the clip board for transfer to another
plot or program, and then deletes it from the current plot.

COPY            (Left-Amiga C)
Places an IFF FTXT text copy of the selected data sets or text
blocks in the clip board for transfer to another plot or
program.

PASTE           (Left-Amiga V)
Reads the clipboard and adds its contents to the current graph
if possible.

DELETE  (Delete key)
Removes currently selected point(s), data set(s) or block(s) of
text.

ADD
Text    Opens the EDIT TEXT WINDOW to edit the prose, font
and font size of text which is added to the current plot and
may be moved to the desired location. If the option is chosen
while a data set is selected, it will add a legend to the data
set.
Data Set        Adds a data set to the end of the current open plot.
Opens the CUSTOM PLOT WINDOW to set the type and colour
of the data set, and the opens an EDIT POINT WINDOW to set
the values of each point. After the last point has been entered,
entry is terminated by selecting the STOP button in the EDIT
TEXT WINDOW.
Point   Adds a point to the end of the currently selected
data set. Opens the EDIT POINT WINDOW to edit the point
values.
Axis    Adds a new Y Axis above the last Y Axis rendered. The
axis may then be moved to the right side or changed by calling
up the EDIT AXIS WINDOW by double clicking to the left of
the new axis.

THE ACTIONS MENU

MOUSE ACTION
Allows the user to select the mode in which the mouse works.
The options are:

Select          (Left-Amiga-Shift !)
The select mode allows the editing of data sets or axes by
double clicking the left mouse button over them and allows the
movement of points and text by click-dragging, and selection of
text or data sets for manipulation.

Zoom            (Left-Amiga-Shift #)
Allows close-up views of areas of the data, and to adjust the
axes to desired values. After selecting ZOOM from the menu,
the mouse may be used to draw a box on the screen to
indicate the area of the plot to be enlarged. This is achieved
by clicking and holding the left mouse button, dragging the
mouse, and releasing the left mouse button. The maximum limit
of enlargement is 1,600 times. Zooming out to reduce the size
of the plot by one half is achieved by double clicking the left
mouse button.

Slide           (Left-Amiga-Shift ^)
After selection the mouse may be used to draw a vector on the
screen to indicate the direction and amount the plot should be
moved. This is achieved by clicking and holding the left mouse
button, dragging the mouse, and releasing the left mouse
button.

REDRAW  (Left-Amiga R)
Redraws the currently active PLOT WINDOW. It should be used
to repair the screen of unwanted rendering, or an incomplete
refresh.

UPDATE  (Left-Amiga U)
Redraws the currently active PLOT WINDOW recalculating all
text positions and correcting minor displacements resulting from
resizing the PLOT WINDOW.

FULLPLOT        (Left-Amiga F)
Redraws the currently active PLOT WINDOW at the default
scale. This plot will show all data points and the extremes of
any error bars unless the X or Y scales are locked.

REDEFINE PLOT   (Left-Amiga D)
Presents the user with the CUSTOM PLOT WINDOW for each
data set in succession.

ALIGN VERTICAL
Aligns the selected points and text by their:
Left Edges
Centres
Right Edges

ALIGN HORIZONTAL
Aligns selected points and text by their:
Tops
Centres
Bottoms

AXIS SCALE LOCKS
Allows either the X or Y dimension to be frozen while the
other is zoomed or rescaled and allows arrangement of the
scale of the plot to best advantage. The sub item ÒX RegionÓ
will lock the amount of zoom in the X axis. The lock may be
turned off by reselecting the sub item. The same applies for
the ÒY RegionÓ selection. The ÒBoth Locks OnÓ selection will
lock both axes. They can be both turned off with ÒBoth Locks
OffÓ. Unless locked, the following options will reset the view
of your data: Full Plot, Linear Fit, Smooth and Logarithmic Fit.

AXIS VALUE LOCKS
Allows either the X or Y axis values to remain unchanged
despite rescaling of the axis. This option allows the editing of
axis values to create text labels without having them moved or
overwritten.


THE OPTIONS MENU

CROSS HAIR      (Left-Amiga L)
Provides a cross hair for the cursor to assist with zooming,
sliding and movement of points and text blocks.

COORDINATES
Opens the COORDINATES WINDOW providing the pixel location
of the pointer over the currently active PLOT WINDOW.

AXES
Allows the selection of a box frame, X and Y axes or no axes
marked.
X and Y         (Left-Amiga Y)
Box             (Left-Amiga B)
None

RIGHT MARGIN    (Left-Amiga M)
Toggles the right margin space for legends.

PALETTE
The screen palette may be altered by calling this requester.
The only non obvious feature of the requester is that by
clicking the left mouse button on the RGB characters, the
requester is converted to a hue/saturation/lightness requester
for those who think that way.

SIG FIGURES
Allows the number of significant figures of axis values and
formulae to be set independently. This option only applies to
values calculated subsequent to its selection. To change values
already on screen, it is necessary to force a recalculation. For
axis values this can be achieved by selecting ACTIONS/Full
Plot or ACTIONS/Redefine Plot. To alter legends of line fits,
the line fit needs to be deleted and recalculated.

ERROR BARS
Toggles the X and Y error bars on and off. If a data set is
loaded without error bars, and error data is added later via the
EDIT POINT window, it will be necessary to select this option
to get them rendered. If error bars are unimportant, this
option should be turned off to speed screen refresh times. This
option is set and saved as part of the plot defaults file and
the new Multiplot File Format 2 data file format.

THE FUNCTIONS MENU

SORT DATA
This option will place the data points in order of ascending X
value. This allows other manipulations of the data which
require this format.

SMOOTH DATA
Select a data set by clicking the left mouse button near one of
its points, and then select one of the subitems from this menu
option.

Filter          A new data set will be created in which each Y
value is set to the mean of the surrounding Y values from the
original data set. A requester will appear enabling you to enter
the number of values each side of the point for the mean to be
taken over. This option is most suitable for smoothing data sets
containing large numbers of points.
Interpolate     A new data set will be created in which
intermediate data points are added to create a smooth curve
tracking the original data. This option is most suitable for
smoothing data sets with relatively few points. It is sometimes
useful to provide intermediate points before filtering to provide
a smoother curve.

LINEAR FIT
A new data set will be created which will represent a straight
line fit of the selected data set. The formula of the line is
shown in the legend. The current axis settings are taken into
account for linear fits of data. For example, if the Y axis is
logarithmic and the X axis linear, an exponential fit is
produced (a straight line on a lin/log scale). If the X axis is
logarithmic and the Y axis linear, a log fit is produced (a
straight line on a log/lin scale). Similarly, log/log and true
linear fits are also available.

POLYNOMIAL FIT
Creates a new data set displaying a polynomial fit of the
selected data set. A window allows selection of the order of
fit. High order fits may require extended calculation times. A
new data set will be created which will represent the fit of the
data. The formula of the line will be displayed as its legend if
the is sufficient room.

AREXX MACRO             (Left-Amiga G)
Opens the file requester to select an ARexx macro for
execution.


COMMAND KEY SEQUENCES

        Multiplot fully supports keyboard shortcuts using the right
Amiga key. A full list of shortcuts and mnemonics is listed
below:

Key     Command                         Mnemonic

A       PROJECT/Add file                        <A>dd File
B       OPTIONS/Axes/Box                        <B>ox
C       EDIT/Copy                               <C>opy
D       ACTIONS/ReDefine Plot                   Re<D>efine Plot
E       PROJECT/Exit Graph                      <E>xit Graph
F       ACTIONS/Full Plot                       <F>ull Plot
G       FUNCTIONS/ARexx Macro                   <G>o ARexx
H       PROJECT/Save as/HPGL                    <H>PGL
I       PROJECT/Save as/ILBM                    <I>LBM
J       not used
K       PROJECT/Save as/DrawSave                <K>AD format
L       OPTIONS/Cross Hair                      Hair <L>ines
M       OPTIONS/Right Margin                    <M>argin
N       PROJECT/New Graph                       <N>ew Graph
O       PROJECT/Open File                       <O>pen
P       PROJECT/Print                           <P>rint
Q       PROJECT/Quit                            <Q>uit
R       ACTIONS/Redraw                          <R>edraw
S       PROJECT/Save                            <S>ave
T       PROJECT/SaveAs/IntroCAD                 In<T>roCAD
U       ACTIONS/Update                          <U>pdate
V       EDIT/Paste                              Commodore guidelines
W       PROJECT/Save as/Data                    <W>rite data
X       EDIT/Cut                                Commodore guidelines
Y       OPTIONS/Axes/X and Y                    X and <Y>
Z       EDIT/Undelete                           Commodore guidelines

        Please note that there are three other keyboard shortcuts
that allow you to swap between mouse actions. These also
require that the right Amiga key is held down.

Shift-1 (!)     ACTION/Mouse Action/Select
Shift-3 (#)     ACTION/Mouse Action/Zoom
Shift-6 (^)     ACTION/Mouse Action/Slide

The Escape and Delete keys are supported:

Esc             PROJECT/Quit
Del             EDIT/Delete

        The Alt key is used to activate the curve reader. Holding
down the Alt key while clicking the left mouse button while in
SELECT mode will result in a window that displays the X and
Y co-ordinates of the pointer.

        The Shift key activates group selection when in SELECT
mode.

        The Ctrl key allows selection of a single data point
instead of a whole data set when in SELECT mode.

        The 'v' key restricts movement of selected items to
vertical.

        The 'h' key restricts movement of selected items to
horizontal.

CHAPTER 5: TECHNICAL INFORMATION

USING THE PLT: DEVICE
1)       The PLT-handler must be in your l: directory, and the
mountlist entry for PLT: added to the devs:mountlist (WB2.0) or
The device driver to be placed in the storage/dosdrivers
directory (WB2.1).
2)      A printer MUST be chosen within the Printer Preferences
program. Failure to do this courts certain disaster!
3)      You do not need to mount the device. Multiplot will
mount PLT: automatically if it is not already mounted.
4)      PLT: opens its own window on the WorkBench when it
starts up. This  window relays information about how much of
the image has been  printed and the remaining system memory.
It also provides a "close  gadget" (The square with a dot in it
for closing windows) which will  abort the print. Use the
left-Amiga-M and left-Amiga-N key  combinations to switch
between Multiplot's screen and the WorkBench or else run
Multiplot on the WorkBench screen using the
PUBSCREEN=Workbench start-up option.
5)      Multiplot checks for the presence of the PLT-handler in
the L:  directory before attempting to mount PLT:. If this file
is not  present, Multiplot will not print, even if the PLT:
device has been  mounted by some other mechanism.
6)      The PLT: device checks the print resolution requested in
preferences.  If you want the nicest possible quality print-outs
from Multiplot,  set your printer density setting to "7".
7)      PLT: currently has a bug which prevents it from handling
two tasks simultaneously. Do not attempt to print preview
while printing or print two files at once.
8)      PLT: is unable to be used while the printer is engaged in
any task.

SCREEN MODES
Multiplot is designed to be run on an interlaced screen.
Occasionally it may be desired to run Multiplot on a
non-interlaced screen. This may be achieved by using the
SCREENMODE start-up option.

Please note:
* The vertical stretching of the buttons in the requesters
results in some confusion, especially of the orientation button
in the Print Setup window.
* The default fonts should be altered to a font suited for
non-interlace screens. This can be achieved by selecting
suitable fonts and saving the defaults by selecting the
PROJECT/Defaults/Save option.
* The vertical stretching of the printed output can be reduced
to an acceptable level by making the PLOT WINDOW as tall as
possible and decreasing its width a little.

MEMORY CONSERVATION
Multiplot can be used successfully on Amigas with 1 Mb RAM
or 1/2 Mb chip ram if care is taken to conserve memory. The
following measures should be used either separately or
together, depending on requirements:

1)      Assign T: to a disk, not RAM. Multiplot uses the T:
directory to write temporary files.
2)      Assign CLIPS: to a disk, not RAM. Multiplot uses the
CLIPS: directory to store data pasted to the clipboard.
3)      Use a reduced Multiplot screen size by setting
SCREENWIDTH and SCREENHEIGHT in the start-up options.
4)      Use a reduced  number of bitplanes for the Multiplot
screen by setting the SCREENDEPTH start-up option.
5)      Run Multiplot on the WorkBench by setting the
PUBSCREEN start-up option

        If Multiplot is run on a PAL Amiga with a non interlaced,
non overscanned, 1 bitplane (2 colour) screen, it uses 270 Kb
before loading data, and 300 Kb after loading a moderately
large data file.

TEXT IN MULTIPLOT
Multiplot supports three kinds of text: Operator independent,
operator semidependent and operator dependent.

Operator Independent Text
        The Y axis labels are operator independent. Their text is
rendered in a pre-set position and cannot be moved. Its
content can be edited by double clicking the left mouse button
over the Y Axis containing the label, and then clicking the left
mouse button on the LABEL button which calls up the EDIT
TEXT WINDOW for the axis label.

Operator Semi-Dependent Text
        The legends, title,  X Axis label and axis values are
operator semi-dependent. They are created in a default position
but may be moved by select-dragging and edited by double
clicking. The legends are created with a small line in the
relevant colour and line-type to their left and are placed in
the right margin which is sized to fit them in an aesthetically
pleasing manner.
        The axis values are a special type of Operator
Semi-Dependent text. In general, Multiplot tries to update the
axis values as you change the characteristics of your graph.
For example, if you zoom in or out, Multiplot will replace the
axis values with new values. If you decide to toggle the right
margin, Multiplot will move the axis values with the associated
tic mark to the correct position on the axis. Disarray of
semi-dependent text can be corrected by selecting the
ACTIONS/Update menu option. Changes in the axis tic values
may not be desired, and can be avoided by turning the Axis
Values Lock ON, either by the OPTIONS/Lock menu or by
setting the Values Lock within the edit Axis window (double
click the left mouse button over the axis).

Operator Dependent Text
        Any text added to enhance a plot (arbitrary text) must be
dragged to the desired location by the user. It can be edited or
deleted in the normal manner.

FONTS
Text representation in Multiplot is complicated by the bit
mapped nature of the Amiga fonts. Multiplot handles graphics
by vector mapping. That is, it draws lines by deciding on a
starting point and an end point and joining them with a line of
the highest resolution it can. This is why it manages to support
CAD and DTP programs through its various output formats, why
it can draw to a screen of any size, and why its printed output
looks so smooth. The Amiga fonts are bit mapped. That is
rather like drawing by colouring in the squares of a crossword
puzzle.
        Multiplot has to try to cope with the inability of Amiga
fonts to scale or provide satisfactory printed output. As a
result, Multiplot maintains two "layers". The lower layer is
scalable and contains the data points, lines, axes, tics and
error bars. The upper, superimposed layer is the bit mapped
layer in which the Amiga fonts reside. This layer does not
scale.
        On screen text in Multiplot represents the actual location
and size of printed text as a proportion of the graph's overall
dimensions. Text size and shape may be altered either by
changing the font or by changing the PLOT WINDOW
dimensions. The larger the window, the smaller the text will
appear relative to the overall page size. Similarly, text
characters may be made to appear taller by shortening the
height of the window. The printed font used is the HPGL
default font, which is similar to Courier. On screen, this font
may be represented by any mono-spaced font. The font
requester allows you to select a font of any size, including
sizes not available on your Fonts: directory. While these sizes
may not appear attractive on screen, they will print as well as
any other size.
        It is important to remember these general principles:
Multiplot is WYSIWYG ("What you see is what you get") IF the
same font type is used on-screen as is used for output. As
HPGL uses fixed-width fonts, Print Preview and WB printer
output will only resemble the screen contents if a fixed width
screen font is used like Courier or Topaz. If a proportional
font like Helvetica is chosen for Postscript output, you should
choose a proportional font for  screen use also. These
precautions will ensure optimal placement of axis values and
text in the printed output.
        The PSFONT startup options affect the postscript output
fonts only and not the on screen fonts which the user can set
independently.

MULTIPLE GRAPHS IN MULTIPLOT
Multiplot allows the editing of multiple graphs at the same time
in separate PLOT WINDOWs. Every open graph is printed if the
PROJECT/Print option is chosen by using a "virtual page"
system. Graphs can be swapped to the front by selecting the
PROJECT/Swap Graph menu option. If more that 2 graphs are
in memory, a requester will ask for the graph number to swap
to.
        Each graph maintains its own Print Setup window which
controls where on the printed page its graph will appear, what
size it will be, and which orientation (portrait or landscape).
On selecting PROJECT/Print each graph in memory will be
printed according to its own print set-up on the same page.
While the page is in memory it is referred to as a virtual page,
because although it exists only in memory, it is possible to
draw on it as one might on a real page. If you do not wish a
currently open Plot to be printed when you print, you must
turn off the PRINT button in the PRINT SETUP WINDOW for
that plot. The virtual page can be viewed by choosing the
PROJECT/Print Preview menu option. In addition to printing,
file saves in Postscript, Encapsulated postscript and HPGL
support the virtual page, and will write files describing all
graphs in memory. IFF, IntroCAD and Draw saves only save the
currently active graph which is the one visible in the active
Plot window.

NOTES ON OUTPUT FILE FORMATS
Currently Draw, IntroCAD, and mCAD saves do not include the
numbers or labels on axes. This is because of the lack of font
support in these programs. Draw saves require the program
plot2draw to be in the MPlot_support directory. IntroCAD saves
require the program txt_2_icad to be in the MPlot_support
directory. EPSF and postscript saves require the program
HPGL2PS to be in the MPlot_support directory .

Also note:
1)      Neither Professional Page nor PageStream handle Draw
files with large  dimensions very well. If your dimensions are
greater than 200 units, these programs often scramble the data.
Rescale your data to keep  within these limits if you wish to
import to either of these  programs. Data may be rescaled by
adding a line to the data file  which begins with
"*SCALFACT*" and contains scale factors by which  data
following is to be multiplied. Scale factor columns map to data
columns after the keyword "*SCALFACT*" is discarded.
2)      Professional Page does not recognise Draw format line
types. All line type information is lost in transferring Draw
format plots to Professional Page.
3)      PixelScript does not support PostScript line types. All line
type information is lost when transferring postscript output to
Pixel  Script.
4)      mCAD does not handle plots with small dimensions very
well. If your data is in hundredths of units, mCAD will not
plot anything on the  screen. This can be corrected by using
*SCALFACT* to rescale data.
5)      CAD file formats are very poorly optimised. As a result,
saves of  large plots may take a long time.


INPUT FILE FORMAT
Multiplot accepts a simple ASCII file for input of data. This
file may be written on any text editor, including the NotePad,
or may be generated as a textfile from a spreadsheet. Multiplot
does not choke on the linefeed/carriage-return of IBM style
spreadsheets. The data must consist of columns of numbers and
need not contain text.
        Text heading the file will be ignored and may be used for
an explanatory note. Blank lines or lines of text interrupting
the columns of numbers are interpreted as separating sets of
data, and each set will be plotted individually in, for example,
a different colour or point size. See "plotme.dat" or "eric.dat"
for examples of the input file format.
        Multiplot saves data in a special file format called
Multiplot File Format 2. MFF2 contains a header which
describes the plot defaults, axes, labels and text. The body of
the file contains columns of data in the format described above
for input. Each row contains values describing a separate point.
Each point may be described by a value for X, Y, high error in
X, low error in X, high error in Y, and low error in Y. The
two left most columns are always X and Y. If the file contains
only 4 columns, the following two columns may be either high
and low errors in X or Y. If the file contains 6 columns the
order is (left to right) X, Y, high error in X, low error in X,
high error in Y, low error in Y. Data sets are separated by a
blank line and a header describing how the data set is to be
rendered and describing its associated legend.
        Text is saved with information describing the font,
character size and screen location.
        Multiplot XLNf can also read the files written by the
previous version of Multiplot, XLNe. Unfortunately some
information is lost due to incompatibilities, particularly in the
way text is recorded.

CLIPBOARD CLIP FORMAT
The clipboard format conforms to the MFF2 file format except
that the file header is not saved. Data sets are saved complete
with the header information describing the colour, point size,
line type etc. All saved text is saved in the text format
described above. When interpreting a file pasted from clipboard,
Multiplot will assume the left most column contains X values
and the next Y values. If only three columns are present, the
third column is assumed to be error in Y (symmetrical). If four
columns are present, the third column is assumed to be high
error in Y and the fourth is assumed to be low error in Y. If
there are five columns, the third is assumed to be symmetrical
error in X, the fourth high error in Y and the fifth low error
in Y. If more than five column are present, the column order is
interpreted as for the MFF2 file format.

DEFAULT FILE FORMAT
The default file format contains two parts. The first part
described the 16 pens available within Multiplot. Each pen is
described on a single line by colour (three values, one each for
the red, green and blue components) and a pen width. The
second part of the default file contains a FF2 file header
describing the plot defaults, axes and text.

CHAPTER 6: AREXX
The best way of learning any programming language is by
example. An ARexx Macro Examples disk is available for $5
USD plus postage and packaging. This disk includes all the
examples below as well as a collection of useful macros for
manipulating data and performing simple statistical analysis.
STARTING OUT
Multiplot will automatically open an ARexx port on start-up
providing it can open the rexxsyslib.library library and ARexx
is running. The port will be named MULTIPLOT.nn unless
defined otherwise using PORTNAME start-up options. This port
may be used as a user interface to control all of Multiplot's
functions.
        An ARexx macro interacting with Multiplot must contain a
comment line at the start. It must then set the command
address to Multiplot's port. Then any lines following will be
sent to Multiplot for interpretation.

Example 1:

/* This is a simple example script to get past the DATA
SELECTION WINDOW*/
address MULTIPLOT.01
/* The above line tells ARexx that you want to control
Multiplot */
'FILE'
/* The above line clears the file name  */
'CONTINUE'
/* The above line closes the DATA SELECTION WINDOW */
/* End script */

Multiplot has ARexx "modes" which are the equivalents of the
currently open windows or requesters. You can ask Multiplot
which window is currently receiving ARexx commands by
sending a 'QUERY' command. Multiplot will then return a
string stating its current mode. Commands that result in a
message requester do not generate an ARexx message. The
requester will, however, answer a 'QUERY' and reply with the
error message. System requesters (such as the "Insert disk X:"
requester) do not support ARexx and must be either disabled or
dealt with individually.
        Each mode supports a subset of commands and if a
command is received that is not supported, Multiplot will
return an error code. Neither the ABOUT WINDOW nor the
INTRODUCTION WINDOW uses the ARexx port. As they both
require input by mouse or keyboard to clear, neither window
should be opened from an ARexx script. To avoid the
INTRODUCTION WINDOW, use the QUIET start-up option. The
ABOUT WINDOW cannot be opened by ARexx command and
does not require any special handling to avoid.

GLOBAL AREXX COMMANDS
The following commands are available in all windows with the
few exceptions noted below.

QUERY Returns a value describing the currently active window
and often provides other useful information. The exact format
of the returned value depends on the current window and is
described for each window individually below.

ERROR N Returns text describing the error resulting in the
error code supplied where N is the error code.

ASK <text>  Opens an ASK WINDOW to query the user and
returns the text of the reply, either "OKAY" or "CANCEL".
This option is unavailable from the ASK and MESSAGE
WINDOWs.

SAY <text> Opens a MESSAGE WINDOW to notify the user of
<text>. This option is unavailable from the ASK and MESSAGE
WINDOWs.

PULL <text> Opens a PULL WINDOW to query the user for a
value and returns that text.


THE MESSAGE WINDOW
This window is used to inform the user of errors, warnings or
to pass other messages.
The supported commands are:

QUERY Returns "MESREQ <message>"

CONTINUE Closes MESSAGE WINDOW, acknowledging the
message.

STOP Closes MESSAGE WINDOW, acknowledging the message.

THE ASK WINDOW
This window asks the user a question which must be answered
by either confirming or negating the question.
The supported commands are:

QUERY Returns "ASKREQ <question>"

POSTEXT Returns text describing the positive option.

NEGTEXT Returns text describing the negative option.

CONFIRM Closes ASK WINDOW, accepting positive option.

CONTINUE  Closes ASK WINDOW, accepting positive option.

DENY Closes ASK WINDOW accepting negative option.

STOP Closes ASK WINDOW accepting negative option.

THE DATA SELECTION WINDOW
This window provides a way of setting the input file name and
the column numbers to be read for data within that file.
The supported commands are:

QUERY Returns "DATSEL filename"

CONTINUE Closes window, accepting current settings,
continuing on to the Plot window.

QUIT Closes window rejecting changes and quits Multiplot if
there is no open PLOT WINDOW.

STOP Closes window rejecting changes and quits Multiplot if
there is no open PLOT WINDOW.

FILE [<filename>] If no file name is defined, clears the file
name field allowing a blank plot to be opened. If file name is
defined, loads that name into the FILE box of the window.

REQ Opens the file requester to assist with locating a data file
for input.

COLUMN N XCOL|YCOL|ECOL|EDWN|XERR|XEDN Sets column
number for a data type. Requires 2 arguments. The first (N) is
numerical and is the column number. The second defines the
data type, and must be one of the following:

        XCOL    X values

        YCOL    Y values

        ECOL    Error in  Y values

        EDWN    Low error in Y values for asymmetrical errors

        XERR    Error in X Values

        XEDN    Low error in X values for asymmetrical errors

THE PLOT WINDOW
These windows (multiple windows may be open at a time) are
used to render graphs. The currently active window is chosen
with the 'ACTIVATE' command. To take the place of mouse
controlled object and group selection is the 'SELECT' command.
In order to make this command as flexible as possible, object
selection involves multiple actions.

Example 2:
To select and edit a data set requires 3 steps: 1) Select data
set, 2) Confirm selection and 3) Launch selection:

/* This is a simple example script to open the Custom Plot
Window for the first data set in a graph once on screen */

address MULTIPLOT.01
'SELECT SET 1'
'SELECT ADD'
'LAUNCH'
/* End script */

        Both legends and individual points are regarded as being
part of a data set that must be selected first. Therefore
selecting a point involves 4 steps: 1) Select data set, 2) Select
point, 3) Confirm selection, and 4) Launch selection:

Example 3:
/* This is a simple example script to open the Edit Point
Window for the fifth point in the first data set in a graph */
address MULTIPLOT.01
'SELECT SET 1'
'SELECT POINT 5'
'SELECT ADD'
'LAUNCH'
/* End script */

        Multiple objects can be selected by using 'SELECT ADD'
to add them to the selection list. A group selection can be
aborted by using the 'SELECT ABORT' command or by using
'SELECT REPLACE' to replace the current selection list with
the most recently selected object.

Example 4:
The following is an example in which the legend, and first two
points are deleted from a currently displayed data set:

/* This is a simple example script to delete the legend and
first two points first data set in a graph */
address MULTIPLOT.01
/* simple so far */
'SELECT SET 1'
'SELECT TEXT'
'SELECT ADD'
/* The above 3 lines selects the legend from the first data set
*/
'SELECT SET 1'
'SELECT POINT 1'
'SELECT ADD'
/* The above 3 lines selects the first point from the first data
set and adds it to the existing selection */
'SELECT SET 1'
'SELECT POINT 2'
'SELECT ADD'
/* The above 3 lines select the second point from the first
data set and adds it to the previous selection */
'CUT''
/* The above line cuts the selection to clipboard */
/* End script */

Data may be exchanged between Multiplot and the ARexx script
using the PEEK, POKE and PULL commands which work
through the Rexx Variables Interface. The PEEK command
copies data from Multiplot and places it in specially named
variables. ARexx scripts may "PEEK" at either a single point or
at all the values from a data set. The POKE command copies
data from the ARexx script and places it within a selected
point or data set. Again the data transferred is copied from a
specially named variable. The PULL command is available from
all windows and was described above in the section on Global
Commands.

Below is a full list of supported ARexx commands:

QUERY Returns "PLOWIN <filename> N" Where <filename> is
the current plot and N is the number of data sets within that
graph.

PEEK N [NOVALS|XVALS|YVALS|EVALS|EDWN|XEVALS|XEDWN]
Copies data from the Nth selected item to be stored with in
the ARexx program as a variable with the same name as the
selected option. If a point is peeked at (ie the Nth selection is
a selected point) then the option key word is not used and the
point's values are stored in an ARexx variable named
POINTVALS as text containing six words describing the X, Y,
high error in X, low error in X, high error in Y and low error
in Y in that order. If a data set is peeked at (ie the Nth
selection is a selected data set) then the following key words
effect the response by Multiplot:

NOVALS  Stores a single word describing the number of values
in the data set in an ARexx value called "NOVALS".

XVALS   Stores a text string with all the X values of the
data set in a value called "XVALS".

YVALS   Stores a text string with all the  Y values of the
data set in a value called "YVALS".

EVALS   Stores a text string with all the high error in Y
values of the data set in a value called "EVALS".

EDWN    Stores a text string with all the low error in Y values of
the data set in a value called "EDWN".

XEVALS  Stores a text string with all the high error in X
values of the data set in a value called "XEVALS".

XEDWN   Stores a text string with all the  low error in X
values of the data set in a value called "XEDWN".

POKE N
[NOVALS|XVALS|YVALS|EVALS|EDWN|XEVALS|XEDWN] Copies
data to the Nth selected item from an ARexx program variable
with the same name as the selected option. If a point is poked
at (ie the Nth selection is a selected point) then the option
key word is not used and the point's values are read from  an
ARexx variable named POINTVALS as text containing six words
describing the X, Y, high error in X, low error in X, high
error in Y and low error in Y in that order. If a data set is
poked at (ie the Nth selection is a selected data set) then the
following key words effect the response by Multiplot:

NOVALS  Ensures that the selected data set has NOVALS
number of values in it ready to receive that number of data
points on a subsequent POKE command where NOVALS is the
name of a variable set within the ARexx script. If a data set
has too few values, it will be enlarged to hold NOVALS number
of points.

XVALS   Reads a text string stored in an ARexx variable
called "XVALS" and copies the values to the selected data set's
X values.

YVALS   Reads a text string stored in an ARexx variable
called  "YVALS" and copies the values to the selected data
set's Y values.

EVALS   Reads a text string stored in an ARexx variable
called  "EVALS" and copies the values to the selected data
set's high error in Y values.


EDWN    Reads a text string stored in an ARexx variable called
"EDWN" and copies the values to the selected data set's low
error in Y values.


XEVALS  Reads a text string stored in an ARexx variable
called "XEVALS" and copies the values to the selected data
set's high error in X values.


XEDWN   Reads a text string stored in an ARexx variable
called "XEDWN" and copies the values to the selected data
set's low error in X values.


OPEN Closes all open plots and provides the Data Selection
Window to select a new data file.

ADDFILE Opens the Data Selection Window, to add data file
selected to the currently active Plot Window.

NEWGRAPH Opens the Data Selection Window, to load data file
selected into a new Plot Window.

ACTIVATE N Activates (selects) the Nth Plot Window.

CLOSEGRAPH Closes currently activated Plot Window.

SAVE Saves data file with current file name.

HPGLSAVE <filename> Saves all open plots as an HPGL file.

MCADSAVE <filename> Saves currently active Plot Window as a
MCAD file.

ILBMSAVE <filename> Saves screen as an IFF ILBM file.

DRAWSAVE <filename> Saves all open plots as a DRAW file.

PSCRSAVE <filename> Saves all open plots as a Postscript file.

EPSFSAVE <filename> Saves all open plots as an encapsulated
Postscript file.

ICADSAVE <filename> Saves currently active Plot Window as an
IntroCAD file.

DATSAVE <filename> Saves currently active Plot Window as a
Multiplot data file.

SADEF Saves default settings.

PREVIEW Provides print preview.

PROPT Allows setting print options via the Print Setup
Window.

PRINT Prints all open graphs.

QUIT Closes all Plot Windows and quits Multiplot.

SELECT ABORT|REPLACE|ADD|(SET N)|(TEXT [N])|(POINT N)
Selects the indicated object. Is the ARexx equivalent of "single
clicking" the left mouse button in the indicated object. Note
above explanation of the use of SELECT and its options. The
supported modifiers are:

ABORT           Cancels selection in process

REPLACE         Accepts selection, replacing previously selected
objects

ADD             Accepts selection, adding it to previously selected
objects

SET N           Selects the Nth data set.

TEXT [N]        If data set selected but not confirmed, this option
modifies selection to indicate the legend of the selected data
set. If no data set is selected, it selects the Nth additional
text in the currently activated Plot Window.

POINT N         Used to modify selection of a data set to indicate
the Nth point of that set.

UNSELECT Dumps list of selected objects.

LAUNCH Launches selected objects. Is the ARexx equivalent of
"double clicking" the left mouse button.

UNDELETE Replaces any deleted selections.

CUT Copies currently selected objects to clip board then
deletes them from currently activated Plot Window.

COPY Copies currently selected objects to clip board.

PASTE Pastes clipboard contents to currently activated Plot
Window.

DELETE Deletes currently selected objects.

TEXTADD <String> Adds string as an additional text label.

SETADD Opens Custom Plot Window and subsequent Edit Point
Windows to permit addition of a new data set to the currently
active Plot Window.

POINTADD Opens the Edit Point Window to define an
additional point which is added to the currently selected (and
confirmed) data set.

AXISADD Adds a new Y Axis.

EDAXIS YAXIS|XAXIS [N] Opens the Edit Axis Window to open
the indicated axis. If the YAXIS modifier is used, the optional
numerical modifier indicates that the Nth Y axis is to be
edited.

EDTITLE Opens the Edit Text Window to modify the title text.

FULLPLOT Resets axis dimensions and replots current graph to
fit within new axes.

REDRAW Refreshes graph rendering.

REPLOT Recalculates text positions and scaling, then redraws
graph.

DEFINEPLOT Sequentially opens an Custom Plot window for
each data set in current graph.

COORDWINDOW Opens the Coordinate window which displays
current pixel locations of the mouse pointer.

FUNCTION SORT|FILTER|INTERP|SLINE|POLY N Performs one
of the following functions on the currently selected data set.

SORT            Sorts the points into ascending X values.

FILTER          Smoothes data set by a rolling mean method
producing a new data set displaying the result.

INTERP  Smoothes data set by an open B-spline interpolation
method producing a new data set displaying the result.

SPLINE          Calculates a best straight line fit of data by
the least squares method producing a new data set displaying
the result.

POLY N  Calculates a polynomial to the Nth order (where N
must be an integer from 1 to 5) best fit of data using a Gauss-
Seidel iterative technique producing a new data set displaying
the result.

SFIGS VAL|FORM Sets the number of significant figures used
in calculating the following:

        VAL     Axis tic values.

        FORM    Values used in formulae produced from
functions.

YERRBARS ON|OFF Sets the display of Y error bars (if data is
present) to:

        ON; or

        OFF.

XERRBARS ON|OFF Sets the display of Y error bars (if data is
present) to:

        ON; or

        OFF.

RMARGIN ON|OFF Switches display of the right margin in
which data set legends may be displayed to:

        ON; or

        OFF.

XHAIR ON|OFF Switches between normal mouse pointer and
cross- hair cursor.

        ON      Displays cross-hair.

        OFF     Displays mouse pointer.

ALIGN (VERTICAL LEFT|CENTRE|RIGHT)|(HORIZONTAL
TOP|CENTRE|BOTTOM) Aligns selected items either vertically
or horizontally.

        VERTICAL        Aligns selected items vertically
LEFT            By their left edges.
CENTRE          By their centres.
RIGHT           By their right edges.

        HORIZONTAL Aligns selected items horizontally
TOP             By their tops.
CENTRE  By their centres.
BOTTOM  By their bottoms.

FORMAT XANDY|BOX|NONE Sets the format of the axes. The
possible selections are:

        XANDY   Stem and leaf (X and Y) axes.

        BOX             Box axes.

        NONE            No axes.


Example 5:
/* Hi Let's try this one */
address MULTIPLOT.01
'FILE DATA/PLOTME.DAT'
/* The above line sets the input file */
'COL 1 XCOL'
'COL 2 YCOL'
'COL 3 ECOL'
'COL 4 EDWN'
'COL 3 XERR'
'COL 4 XERR'
/* The above 6 lines set the data columns for the input file */
'CONTINUE'
/* The above line closes the SELECT DATA WINDOW */
'YERR OFF'
'XERR OFF'
/* The above 2 lines turn off the rendering of error bars */
'FULLPLOT'
/*The above line replots the graph at the largest size that just
fits within the axes. */
/* end script */

THE CUSTOM PLOT WINDOW
This window allows the user to choose how each data set is
represented: the colour, line type, point type and size, which Y
axis it is rendered on and the type of plot (points, line, both,
bar, impulse, step).
The supported ARexx commands are:

QUERY Returns "CUSTPLOT Set number N" Where N is the set
number.

POINT N [SQUARE|PLUS|STAR|TIMES|DIAMOND|TRIANGLE]
Sets point size to N and the point shape to one of:

        SQUARE

        PLUS

        STAR

        TIMES

        DIAMOND

        TRIANGLE

LINETYPE N Sets line type to line pattern number N.

COLOUR N Sets colour of data set to colour number N.

YAXIS N Sets the data set to be plotted in the Nth Y Axis.

PLOT POINT|LINE|BOTH|STEP|IMPULSE|BAR Sets the data set
to be plotted as one of the following:

POINT           A series of points in the current colour, point
type and size.

LINE            A line rendered in current colour and line type.


BOTH            A series of points in the current colour, point
type and size joined by a line rendered in current colour and
line type.

STEP            A stepped line rendered in current colour and
line type.

IMPULSE         A series of lines rendered in current colour and line
type that extend from points rendered in the current colour,
point type and size to the X Axis.

BAR             A series of bars rendered in current colour and line
type that extend to the X Axis.

CONTINUE Accepts current changes, closes the custom plot
window and replots the graph.

STOP Cancels any changes, closes the custom plot window and
replots the graph.

SKIP Closes the custom plot window and replots the graph
without rendering the currently selected data set.

KILL Closes the custom plot window and replots the graph
after deleting the currently selected data set.

Example 6:

/* This ARexx script formats Plotme.dat into two stacked Y
axes and selects points and line types for the data sets. */

address MULTIPLOT.01
'FILE DATA/PLOTME.DAT'
'COL 1 XCOL'
'COL 2 YCOL'
'CONTINUE'
/* The above 4 lines set the filename and data columns, then
load data */
'AXISADD'
/* The above line adds a second Y axis stacked above the first
*/
'SELECT SET 1'
'SELECT ADD'
'LAUNCH'
/* The above 3 lines open the CUSTOM PLOT WINDOW to edit
the  first data set */
'PLOT POINT'
'POINT 12 STAR'
'YAXIS 2'
'COLOUR 1'
'CONTINUE'
/* The above 5 lines set the data set to be plotted in colour 1
as 12 pixel high points shaped like stars in the second (upper)
Y Axis */
'SELECT SET 3'
'SELECT ADD'
'LAUNCH'
/* The above 3 lines open the CUSTOM PLOT WINDOW to edit
the third data set */
'PLOT LINE'
'LINETYPE 1'
'YAXIS 2'
'COLOUR 1'
'CONTINUE'
/* The above 5 lines set the data set to be plotted in colour 1
solid lines in the second (upper) Y Axis */
'SELECT SET 2'
'SELECT ADD'
'LAUNCH'
'PLOT POINT'
'POINT 12 TRIANGLE'
'YAXIS 1'
'COLOUR 2'
'CONTINUE'
/*****/
'SELECT SET 4'
'SELECT ADD'
'LAUNCH'
'PLOT LINE'
'LINETYPE 2'
'YAXIS 1'
'COLOUR 2'
'CONTINUE'
/*****/
'FULLPLOT'
/* end script */


THE EDIT AXIS WINDOW
This window allows the user to set the minimum and maximum
values, the tic numbers, types, colours, line patterns, as well as
the axis text label, type, and position.
The supported ARexx commands are:

QUERY Returns "EDAXIS ? Axis N" Where ? is either X or Y,
and N is an integer indicating the Y axis number.

LABEL Opens Edit Text Window to add or change the axis
label.

GRID BIG|SMALL [N1 [N2 [N3]]] Sets characteristics of the
grid or tics on the axis. The following arguments may be used:

        BIG Switch keyword indicating that the big tics will be
affected by changes.

        SMALL Switch keyword indicating that the small tics will
be affected by changes.

        N1 An integer indicating the new number of subdivisions.

        N2 An integer indicating the sort of subdivision marking.
If is '0', indicates that tic marks should be   used.
Otherwise a value from 1 - 6 indicates line type for grid lines.

        N3 An integer indicating the number of the colour for the
grid  or tics to be rendered in.

SCALE MIN|MAX N Sets the minimum or maximum axis values
where:

        MIN Is a switch keyword which sets the minimum axis
value.

        MAX Is a switch keyword which sets the maximum axis
value.

        N is a decimal value.

TYPE LIN|LOG|CAT Sets the axis type to one of the following:

        LIN Linear

        LOG Logarithmic

        CAT Category

POSITION RIGHT|LEFT Sets the position of the Y axis to
either the right or the left.

        RIGHT Sets position to the right of the plot.

        LEFT Sets the position to the left of the plot.

LOCKS SCALE|VALUES ON|OFF Sets the axis locks on or off.

        SCALE Switch keyword indicating the axis scale lock.

        VALUES Switch keyword indicating the axis values lock.

        ON Turns lock on.

        OFF Turns lock off.

CONTINUE Closes Edit Axis Window, accepting current changes.

STOP Closes Edit Axis Window, discarding current changes.

KILL Deletes current Y axis if more than one Y axis present.

THE EDIT POINT WINDOW
This window allows the user to set the values of an individual
point.
Supported ARexx commands are:

QUERY Returns the string "POINTED Point number N1 of set
number N2" where the point is the N1st point of the N2nd data
set.

SET N XVAL|YVAL|EVAL|EDWN|XERR|XEDN Sets a point value
to N where N is a decimal number.

        XVAL Sets X value.

        YVAL Sets Y value.

        EVAL Sets high error in Y value.

        EDWN Sets low error in Y value.

        XERR Sets high error in X value.

        XEDN Sets low error in X value.

CONTINUE Closes Edit Point Window, accepting current
changes.

STOP Closes Edit Point Window, discarding current changes.

THE EDIT TEXT WINDOW
This window allows the user to set the text, font and point
size of text.
Supported ARexx commands are:

QUERY Returns the string "TEXTED <text>"

TEXT <text> Sets the text to <text>. If <text>is not defined,
clears text from the text box.

FONT <font name> Sets the font to <font name>.

SIZE N Sets font size to N pixels in height.

CONTINUE Closes Edit Text Window, accepting current
changes.

STOP Closes Edit Text Window, discarding current changes.

Example 7:
/* This example ARexx script demonstrates the use of some of
the ARexx commands available for manipulating the Edit Axis
and Edit Text Windows */
address MULTIPLOT.01
'FILE DATA/PLOTME.DAT'
'COL 1 XCOL'
'COL 2 YCOL'
'CONTINUE'

'AXISADD'
'EDAXIS Y 1'
'SCALE MIN 10'
'SCALE MAX 60'
'GRID BIG 5 1 2'
'GRID SMALL 2 2 2'
'LABEL'
'TEXT LEFT'
'CONTINUE'
'CONTINUE'

'EDAXIS Y 2'
'SCALE MIN 30'
'SCALE MAX 50'
'GRID BIG 5 1 2'
'GRID SMALL 2 2 2'
'POSITION RIGHT'
'LABEL'
'TEXT RIGHT'
'CONTINUE'
'CONTINUE'

'FORMAT BOX'
'SELECT SET 3'
'SELECT ADD'
'LAUNCH'
'YAXIS 2'
'PLOT LINE'
'CONTINUE'

'SELECT SET 4'
'SELECT ADD'
'LAUNCH'
'PLOT LINE'
'CONTINUE'

'SELECT SET 1'
'SELECT REPLACE'
'SELECT SET 2'
'SELECT ADD'
'DELETE'

'REPLOT'
/* end script */

THE PRINT SETUP WINDOW
This window allows the user to alter global printing settings as
well as control the printing of plots individually.
The supported ARexx commands are:

QUERY Returns the string "SETPRINT"

PEN N1 [N2] Sets the N1st pen to N2 points wide. Multiplot
uses the pen concept borrowed from pen plotters in which each
pen can be set with an individual colour and pen width.

GRAPH ON|OFF Controls the rendering of the currently active
graph.

        ON Ensures the currently active graph is printed when
the PROJECT/Print menu option is selected.

        OFF Prevents the currently active graph being printed.

SPOOL ON|OFF Switches on or off the print spool.

MODE COLOUR|COLOR|B&W Sets the print out to either colour
or black and white.

        COLOUR Prints in colour.
        COLOR  Prints in colour.

        B&W Prints in black and white.

CONTINUE Closes Print Setup Window, accepting current
changes.

CHAPTER 7: HINTS AND TIPS

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: What can I do to improve the appearance of the printed
output on my dot matrix printer?
A: One way to enhance the appearance of your printouts is to
use different pen thicknesses. For example, the axes could be
in a thick pen, and the grid lines in a finer pen. To do this
ensure that objects you want in different thicknesses are in
different colours. Then open the PRINT SETUP WINDOW
(PROJECT/Print setup menu option) and set the desired pen
thickness for each colour.

Q: How do I get a line fit of only part of a data set?
A: Group select (shift-control-select) and delete the unwanted
data points. Select the set, choose the FUNCTIONS/Linear fit
menu option, and select the EDIT/Undelete menu option.

TROUBLE SHOOTING
Problem: I am not American, and when I print, Multiplot tries
to write on a page that is wider than the paper I use.
Solution: Neither am I, and it does work! Ensure that the page
width in the preferences program is set to "Narrow Tractor"
and that you have not altered the PLT: start-up flags in the
devs:mountlist file to indicate a larger page size. If necessary,
the page size can be set in absolute terms in preferences.

Problem: Sometimes when I run Multiplot, it doesn't seem to be
able to find its palette file or the conversion utilities, even
though they are right in its own directory.
Solution: Multiplot remembers where these files are by their
full path specification. If another disk or device exists with the
same name as the disk Multiplot resides on, it may not be able
to find the files. The commonest problem results from naming
the Multiplot disk "Empty" or a data disk "Multiplot".

Problem: When I try to print a plot, PLT can't find the file
pltfontnames.
Solution: Pltfontnames must reside in a device called
PLTDATA:. This is best done by assigning PLTDATA: to the
directory in which pltfontnames is kept.

Problem: I set a data set to be shown as a line, and then
changed my mind, and reset it as a point plot, but I forgot to
change the point size, and the data set has disappeared, and I
can't find any of the points to select it again.
Solution: Use the Redefine Plot option on the ACTION menu to
review all the settings for all data sets. When you get to the
"lost" set, select a point size greater than zero.

Problem: After setting the number of significant figures, I
don't notice any change in the significant figures used in the
legends.
Solution: The significant figures option is accessed at the time
the values are calculated. To change the number of significant
figures in values on screen, you will need to force a
recalculation by deleting the line fit, and recalculating it.

Problem: I use WShell and am having trouble with many of the
save menu options in Multiplot.
Solution: A bug in WShell assumes that any CLI command in
quotes ("") is an ARexx command. This contravenes Commodore
guidelines and as yet I have not been able to devise a work
around. W Hawes is aware of this problem.

Problem: When I print, I get all the currently open graphs
printing on top of each other.
Solution: Activate each PLOT WINDOW in turn, open the PRINT
SETUP window and either turn off the print button on the
graohs you don't want to print, or size and position the plots
so that they don't overlap.

CHAPTER 8: CONCLUSION

CHANGES SINCE XLNe
NOTE: Multiplot is now WB2.1 compatible.

New Feature:    Multiple windows supported.
New Feature:    Multiple Y axes supported.
New Feature:    Zounds! user interface added.
New Feature:    Support for asymmetrical errors in X added.
New Feature:    Data file contains more formatting information.
New Feature:    Save/Load default settings and axes added.
New Feature:    Improved PLT: support with pen colours and
thicknesses settable.
New Feature:    Colour print preview.
New Feature:    Grid line types and colours user definable.
New Feature:    Auto alignment available.
New Feature:    Text font and size user definable.

THE FUTURE
Probable enhancements to come are: Direct printer support,
DR2D output, advanced statistical analysis. Suggestions
welcomed.

BETA TESTERS WANTED
If you are a registered user and would like to see the latest
version of Multiplot, why not volunteer as a beta tester?
Either notify when registering or write to the address below.

CONCLUSION
Multiplot was the first intuitive Data plotting program for the
Amiga. It has since been joined by a number of other programs
which enable the display of experimental data but is unrivalled
for ease of use, stability and flexibility. It allows extremely
rapid visualisation of experimental data with a wide selection
of output formats. It does a simple job, but does it well. If you
have suggestions, questions or bug finds, please write:

Dr Alan G Baxter, Cambridge University Department of
Pathology,  Division of Immunology,  Tennis Court Road,
Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK

[e-mail]