Plotting x-y graphs on scaled grids to be like graph paper?

sbruton · Post by **sbruton** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 1:28 pm

Is it possible to plot algebraic or trigonometric x-y graphs where you can specify the grid intervals, as though you were drawing the graph on graph paper?
I would like to plot with a grid of 2mm width squares on A4 paper so that students could work out the gradient of the curve at various points.
Thanks

Post by **DPlotAdmin** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 2:30 pm

Yes, though not directly. Select Options>Extents/Intervals/Size. Check "Specify extents" and enter the desired X and Y low and high values. Under "Tick Marks" select "Specify interval" and enter tick mark intervals for X and Y. The number of intervals will then be the extents divided by the tick mark interval. Now check "Specify size" and enter the physical width and height of the plot. If you want a 2mm interval... that's awfully small... it occurs to me that you're probably talking about minor grid lines between the numbers - we'll get to that. If you want a 20mm interval between major grid lines and you have 10 intervals on the X axis, enter 7.874 inches (200 mm) for the width of the plot. For your 2mm-spaced minor grid lines, enter 10 for the minor grid/tick divisions.

sbruton · Post by **sbruton** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 3:44 pm

Thanks for the prompt reply.

I can produce a really nice grid with the thicker intermediate lines, so thanks for that!

Do you know why, when I specify a width of 160mm it prints as 149mm wide and a height of 280mm it prints as 261mm?

Post by **DPlotAdmin** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 4:30 pm

Do you know why, when I specify a width of 160mm it prints as 149mm wide and a height of 280mm it prints as 261mm?

It is probably a matter of those dimensions not fitting within the specified margins. If either dimension won't fit then DPlot scales down both dimensions, maintaining the same aspect ratio.

When you first install DPlot the margins on all four sides are set to 1 inch. See File>Page Setup.

sbruton · Post by **sbruton** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 4:40 pm

That works much better. It still isn't an exact size but I can see how you can play around with the variables.

Thanks, you've been really helpful!

Post by **DPlotAdmin** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 6:23 pm

Assuming the requested dimensions plus axis labels and numbers, titles, etc. will fit within the margins, it should be exact (+/- the inverse of your printer resolution). A 6" x 6" example I tried just now is... well, 6" x 6".

Judith Stavriotis · Post by **Judith Stavriotis** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:54 am

Dave - I have been looking for the Macro that allows you to print graphs on grids like graph paper with 10 x 10 grids to the inch. I had a copy and lost it over the Holidays. It was originally a Forum topic and now I can't find it. Appreciate your help. Judith Stavriotis (jstavriotis@spectrumassetmgt.com)

Post by **DPlotAdmin** » Tue Jan 19, 2010 11:04 am

See http://www.dplot.com/graphpaper.htm