13 Working with Charts

Charts can be used to visualize signals and signal-related information. Charts can be extended and configured in many ways. You can define your own charts or integrate existing chart tools.

To visualize a signal with impulse, users usually define a plot with a source signal and a diagram type (e.g. a line diagram) and some additional parameters (e.g. the 'annotate' flag). If you select "Chart" as diagram type, you will need to state which chart to use. impulse comes with a set of predefined charts, but user can re-define and extend. Each chart then comes with an additional set of parameters to configure the selected chart.

Charts vs 'normal' plots

  • Charts have their own axis, whereas normal plots (e.g. line or vetor plots) use the shared axis in the top row.
  • Charts horizontally fill the whole screen (but can share the screen with subsequent charts),  whereas normal diagrams can be zoomed.
  • Charts can be extended.
  • Users can define new chart types.

Chart Provider, Charts and Plots

On opening the preferences pages of impulse, you will find the chart settings. This is the place where all charts are defined and configured. You can use the impulse wallet to exchange charts and other configurations with your colleagues.

The chart preferences page shows all defined charts. Each chart is based on a specific type (chart provider). You can add multiple charts of the same type, but with different presentation options.

The assignment of the signal data is only done in the plot.

Chart Provider/Type

A chart provider is an extension element that supports impulse with a new chart type (e.g. bar chart).

Chart

An instance of a chart type (for example, the standard bar chart). Users can add multiple instances of 'different' visualizing bar charts.

Chart Plot

Is a plot with type 'Chart'. In the plot, the chart is assigned the signal data. In addition, chart specific plot parameters can be adjusted.

Steps to create a chart

 

To create a chart:

  1. Enter the chart preference page (Preferences > impulse > chart);
  2. Pess the 'Add' button and select a chart type;
  3. Configure the visualisation options and the standard plot parameters;
  4. Press ok.

Many chart type allow to modify the chart using scripts. Below you find an example for a BIRT chart. 

// see  hthe book "Integrating and Extending BIRT"
// for more information about birt scripting.
// The following examples are extracted from package 'org.eclipse.birt.chart.example'

function beforeGeneration(chart,icsc) {
	
	var xAxisPrimary = chart.getPrimaryBaseAxes()[0];
	xAxisPrimary.getTitle().setVisible(true);
}
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Signal Script Examples
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Steps to show a chart

On opening the preferences pages of impulse, you will find the chart settings. This is the place where all charts are defined and configured. You can use the impulse wallet to exchange charts and other configurations with your colleagues.

The chart preference page shows all defined charts. Each chart is based on a specifi type (chart provider). You can add multiple charts of the same type but with different visualisation flavours.

To present a chart:

  1. Create a plot in one of you views and select the Chart type;
  2. Select a compatible signal or production;
  3. Select one of the configured charts from the chart combo box;
  4. Enter values for the chart specific parameters;
  5. Press ok.
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