The mixed signal graph can display both analog and digital data, and it accepts all data types accepted by waveform graphs, XY graphs, and digital waveform graphs.

A mixed signal graph may have multiple plot areas. A given plot area can display only digital or analog plots, not both. The plot area is where LabVIEW draws the data on the graph. The mixed signal graph automatically creates plot areas when necessary to accommodate analog and digital data. When you add multiple plot areas to a mixed signal graph, each plot area has its own y-scale. All of the plot areas share a common x-scale, allowing for the comparison of multiple signals of digital and analog data.

By default, the mixed signal graph displays digital data as digital lines and buses in the plot area. If you wire an array of digital data where each array element represents a bus, the mixed signal graph plots each column of digital data as a different line. The following front panel shows an example of a mixed signal graph.

You can configure a plot to change how a mixed signal graph displays numbers and plot lines. You also can use the Plot properties to get or set the format of numbers in the digital plots programmatically.

Displaying a Single Plot on Mixed Signal Graphs

The mixed signal graph accepts the same data types for single-plot mixed graphs as the waveform graph, XY graph, and digital waveform graph.

Refer to the Mixed Signal Graph VI in the labview\examples\Controls and Indicators\Graphs and Charts\Mixed Signal Graph for examples of the data types that a mixed signal graph accepts.

Displaying Multiple Plots on Mixed Signal Graphs

The mixed signal graph accepts the same data types for displaying multiple plots as the waveform graph, XY graph, and digital waveform graph.

Plot areas can accept only analog or only digital data. When you wire data to a mixed signal graph, LabVIEW automatically creates plot areas to accommodate combinations of analog and digital data. If there are multiple plot areas on the mixed signal graph, you can use the splitter bar between the plot areas to resize each plot area.

The plot legend on the mixed signal graph is comprised of tree controls and is displayed to the left of the graph plot areas. Each tree control represents one plot area. The plot area is labeled as GroupX, where X is the number corresponding to the order in which LabVIEW, or you, place the plot area on the graph. You can use the plot legend to move plots from one plot area to another plot area. You can resize or hide the plot legend by moving the splitter bar that is between the plot area and the plot legend.

Refer to the Mixed Signal Graph VI in the labview\examples\Controls and Indicators\Graphs and Charts\Mixed Signal Graph for an example of displaying multiple plots on a mixed signal graph.

2D Graphs

A 2D graph uses x and y data to plot points on the graph and connect the points, forming a two-dimensional surface view of the data. With 2D graphs, you can visualize two-dimensional data on XY graphs because all 2D graphs are XY Graphs. Use the 2D graph properties to modify the way data appears in the 2D graphs.

When you add a 2D graph to the front panel, LabVIEW wires the graph on the block diagram to one of the helper VIs, depending on which 2D graph you select. The helper VIs convert the input data types into the generic data type the 2D graph accepts. LabVIEW includes the following types of 2D graphs:

  • Compass Plot —Graphs vectors that emanate from the center of a compass graph.
  • Error Bar Plot —Graphs the error bar at each point above and below the line graph.
  • Feather Plot —Graphs vectors that emanate from equally spaced points along a horizontal axis.
  • XY Plot Matrix —Graphs rows and columns of scatter graphs.

Refer to labview\examples\Controls and Indicators\Graphs and Charts\Math Plots - 2D\Math Plots - 2D.lvproj for examples of plotting data on a 2D graph.

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3D Graphs

For many real-world data sets, such as temperature distribution on a surface, joint time-frequency analysis, and the motion of an airplane, you need to visualize data in three dimensions. With the 3D graphs, you can visualize three-dimensional data and alter the way that data appears by modifying the 3D graph properties.

LabVIEW includes the following types of 3D graphs:

  • Scatter —Shows trends in statistics and the relationship between two sets of data.
  • Stem —Displays an impulse response and organize data by its distribution.
  • Comet —Creates an animated graph with a circle that follows the data points.
  • Surface —Graphs data with a connecting surface.
  • Contour —Graphs a plot with contour lines.
  • Mesh —Graphs a mesh surface with open spaces.
  • Waterfall —Graphs the surface of the data and the area on the y-axis below the data points.
  • Quiver —Generates a plot of normal vectors.
  • Ribbon —Generates a plot of parallel lines.
  • Bar —Generates a plot of vertical bars.
  • Pie —Generates a pie chart.
  • 3D Surface Graph —Draws a surface in 3D space.
  • 3D Parametric Graph —Draws a parametric surface in 3D space.
  • 3D Line Graph —Draws a line in 3D space.
Note 3D graph controls are only available in the LabVIEW Full and Professional Development Systems.
  • ActiveX 3D Surface Graph —Draws a surface in 3D space using ActiveX technology.
  • ActiveX 3D Parametric Graph —Draws a parametric surface in 3D space using ActiveX technology.
  • ActiveX 3D Curve Graph —Draws a line in 3D space using ActiveX technology.
Note ActiveX 3D graph controls are supported only on Windows in the LabVIEW Full and Professional Development Systems.

Use the 3D Graphs, except for the 3D Surface, 3D Parametric, and 3D Curve graphs, in conjunction with the 3D Plot Properties dialog box to plot graphs with three dimensions. Refer to the labview\examples\Controls and Indicators\Graphs and Charts\Math Plots - 3D directory for examples of plotting data on a 3D graph.

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Use the 3D Surface, 3D Parametric, and 3D Curve graphs in conjunction with the 3D Graph Properties dialog box to plot curves and surfaces. A curve contains individual points on the graph, each point having an x, y, and z coordinate. The VI then connects these points with a line. A curve is ideal for visualizing the path of a moving object, such as the flight path of an airplane. The following illustration shows an example of a 3D Line Graph and is similar to the ActiveX 3D Curve Graph.

Note Use the 3D Graph Properties VIs to plot curves and surfaces on the ActiveX 3D graphs.

A surface plot uses x, y, and z data to plot points on the graph. The surface plot then connects these points, forming a three-dimensional surface view of the data. For example, you can use a surface plot for terrain mapping. A parametric plot is a surface plot that uses the parameters of a parametric function to determine the curves of the plot. You can use a parametric plot for graphing geometric solid objects. The following illustration shows examples of a 3D Surface Graph and a 3D Parametric Graph.

When you add a 3D graph to the front panel, LabVIEW wires the graph on the block diagram to one of the helper VIs, depending on which 3D graph you select. The helper VIs convert the input data types into the generic data type the 3D graph accepts.

The 3D graphs use graphical hardware acceleration in the render window, which can offer performance benefits. Right-click the 3D graph and select Render Window from the shortcut menu to view the 3D graph in the render window.

The ActiveX 3D graphs use ActiveX technology and VIs that handle 3D representation. When you select an ActiveX 3D graph, LabVIEW adds an ActiveX container to the front panel that contains a 3D graph control. LabVIEW also places a reference to the ActiveX 3D graph control on the block diagram. LabVIEW wires this reference to one of the three 3D Graph VIs. (Windows) The ActiveX 3D graph uses graphical hardware acceleration in the front panel window.

Refer to the labview\examples\Controls and Indicators\Graphs and Charts\Waveform Graphs and Charts directory for examples of plotting data on a 3D graph.