Scroll backwards and forwards through Matplotlib plots

To scroll backward and forwards (left and right keys) through Matplotlib plots, we can take the following steps −

Set the figure size and adjust the padding between and around the subplots.
Create curr_pos and y using numpy.
Create a new figure or activate an existing figure using figure() method.
Bind the function to the event, i.e., key_press_event.
Add an '~.axes.Axes' to the figure as part of a subplot arrangement.
Plot curr_pos and y data points using plot() method.
If the left and right arrow keys could be used, then the curve could go right and left accordingly.
To display the figure, use show() method.

Example

import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

plt.rcParams["figure.figsize"] = [7.50, 3.50]
plt.rcParams["figure.autolayout"] = True

curr_pos = np.linspace(-10, 10, 100)
y = np.sin(curr_pos)

def key_event(e):
   global curr_pos
   if e.key == "right":
      curr_pos = curr_pos + 1
   else:
      curr_pos = curr_pos - 1
   ax.cla()
   ax.plot(curr_pos, np.sin(curr_pos))
   fig.canvas.draw()
fig = plt.figure()
fig.canvas.mpl_connect('key_press_event', key_event)

ax = fig.add_subplot(111)
ax.plot(curr_pos, y)

plt.show()

Output

Now, press the left or right arrow keys on the board to scroll backwards or forwards through the plot.

Rishikesh Kumar Rishi

Updated on: 2021-06-17T12:01:51+05:30

2K+ Views

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