matplotlib is a Python module for plotting, and it is a component of the ScientificPython modules suite. matplotlib allows you to easily prepare professional-grade figures with a comprehensive API to customize every aspect of the figures. In this book, we will cover the different types of figures and how to adjust a figure to suit your needs. The recipes are orthogonal and you will
be able to compose your own solutions very quickly.
What this book covers
Chapter 1, First Steps, introduces the basics of working with matplotlib. The basic figure
types are introduced with minimal examples.
Chapter 2, Customizing the Color and Styles, covers how to control the color and style
of a figure—this includes markers, line thickness, line patterns, and using color maps
to color a figure several items.
Chapter 3, Working with Annotations, covers how to annotate a figure—this includes
adding an axis legend, arrows, text boxes, and shapes.
Chapter 4, Working with Figures, covers how to prepare a complex figure—this includes compositing several figures, controlling the aspect ratio, axis range, and the coordinate system.
Chapter 5, Working with a File Output, covers output to files, either in bitmap or vector formats. Issues like transparency, resolution, and multiple pages are studied in detail.
Chapter 6, Working with Maps, covers plotting matrix-like data—this includes maps,
quiver plots, and stream plots.
Chapter 7, Working with 3D Figures, covers 3D plots—this includes scatter plots, line plots, surface plots, and bar charts.
Chapter 8, User Interface, covers a set of user interface integration solutions, ranging
from simple and minimalist to sophisticated.