Curves

 

A curve is special runtime object best described as a graphical representation of a string of data points, where each point is associated with a simulation plot step.  Curves are created by linking to an Output Channel component, to which a scalar or array set of data signals have been input.  As such, curves may be vectors; that is a single curve may possess many sub-curves or Traces, where each trace corresponds to a single array value.

 

 

If the Output Channel input signal is a scalar (i.e. single dimension), then the curve will consist of a single trace.  For more information on accessing and adjusting individual trace properties, see Traces.

Adding a New Curve to a Graph

Adding a curve to a graph can be accomplished a couple of different ways:

  1. Drag and Drop Method:  Hold down the Ctrl key.  Left-click and hold over the output channel component from which you would like to extract the curve.  Drag the mouse pointer over a graph and release the mouse button.  See Drag and Drop for more details on this.

  2. Copy/Paste Method:  Right-click on the output channel component and select Copy. Right-click on the desired graph and select Paste Curve.

Curve Legends

Once a curve has been added to a graph, the curve title will appear in the curve legend.

 

 

Curve Order

Once multiple curves have been added to a graph, you may change the order in which they appear.  Ordering curves can be accomplished in one of two ways:

  1. Drag and Drop:  Left-click and hold over the curve in the curve legend.  Drag the mouse pointer to a new position in the curve legend and release the mouse button.  See Drag and Drop for more details on this.

  2. Right-Click Menu:  Right-click over the corresponding curve legend and select one of the following from the pop-up menu:  Move to the Start or Move to the End.

Cut/Copy/Paste an Existing Curve

Right-click over the curve title and select either Cut Curve or Copy Curve, depending on what you want to do.  Right-click over any graph and then select Paste Curve to paste the curve.  The curve should then appear in the corresponding curve legend.

View Parameter Grid

All curves may be collected, viewed and modified in a convenient table called the parameter grid. For more details, see the Parameter Grid Pane.

Copy Data to Clipboard

If a simulation has been run and a particular curve contains data, you have the option of copying all or a portion of this single curve data set to the clipboard.  Right-click over the corresponding curve name, select Copy Data to Clipboard and then select one of the following from the pop-up menu:

The data is copied as Comma Separated Variables (*.csv) format for easy migration into common data analysis software.

Adjusting Curve Properties

Left double-click on the desired curve in the curve legend, or right-click the curve and select Curve Properties....

 

 

This will bring up the Curve Properties dialog window.

 

Active Trace

The following list describes the parameters in this section:

Style

The following list describes the parameters in this section:

Digital Style

These options are only considered if the curve is part of a polygraph.  Digital style controls the properties the curve traces when they are in digital mode.  The following list describes the parameters in this section:

Adjusting Channel Settings

The source Output Channel parameters for a particular curve can be accessed directly from the curve legend pop-up menu.  Right-click the curve and select Channel Settings....

Synchronizing Output Channel Limits with Those of the Graph

Once one or more curves have been added to an overlay graph, all corresponding Output Channel component Min / Max limits can be synchronized to the graph y-axis minimum and maximum limits.

 

To synchronize output channel limits with the graph, right-click over the overlay graph and select Synchronize Channel Limits to Graph.