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Python Data Plotting
and Visualisation Extravaganza
Guy K. Kloss
Computer Science
Massey University, Albany
(first ever) Kiwi PyCon
Christchurch
7 November 2009
Guy K. Kloss | Python Live Plotting 1/17

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Outline
1 2D Tools
2 3D Tools
Guy K. Kloss | Python Live Plotting 2/17

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Outline
1 2D Tools
2 3D Tools
Guy K. Kloss | Python Live Plotting 3/17

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Gnuplot
“Godfather of plotting tools”
fast
well known
quite easy to use
runs in separate process
not embeddable
Guy K. Kloss | Python Live Plotting 4/17

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matplotlib
most used “modern” Python plotting tool
more overhead to use
also features a MATLAB like API
plays well with many GUI tool kits (embeddable)
Guy K. Kloss | Python Live Plotting 5/17

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Honorary Mentions
RPy
Chaco
GracePlot
Guy K. Kloss | Python Live Plotting 6/17

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Outline
1 2D Tools
2 3D Tools
Guy K. Kloss | Python Live Plotting 7/17

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Mayavi
most excellent 3D plotting tool
developed/sponsored by Enthought
plays well with many GUI tool kits (embeddable)
default (wx) GUI slow, Qt4 backend much faster
Guy K. Kloss | Python Live Plotting 8/17

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Mayavi for Irregular Samples
Guy K. Kloss | Python Live Plotting 9/17

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Visual Python
Not a plotting tool
very fast, very easy to use
(current) issues with installs
very polluted name space
Guy K. Kloss | Python Live Plotting 10/17

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A Web Cam Image
Guy K. Kloss | Python Live Plotting 11/17

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Chart Data Samples
Guy K. Kloss | Python Live Plotting 12/17

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Multi-Dimensional Curve Fitting
Guy K. Kloss | Python Live Plotting 13/17

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Quiver Plot
VPython/OpenGL Rendered
Guy K. Kloss | Python Live Plotting 14/17

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Quiver Plot
POVray Rendered
Guy K. Kloss | Python Live Plotting 15/17

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Mayavi “visual” Module
VPython “clone” built on top of Mayavi
not nearly as fast
not nearly as feature complete
Guy K. Kloss | Python Live Plotting 16/17

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Questions?
G.Kloss@massey.ac.nz
Guy K. Kloss | Python Live Plotting 17/17