TechEditor 5.3: Function Plots and Data Array Visualization

Data visualization is a cornerstone of an engineer's workflow. A plot clearly demonstrates dependencies, validates calculations, and makes technical documentation compelling. However, this process often turns into a routine: calculating data in one program, exporting it to Excel or Matlab, building plots, taking screenshots, and inserting them into a report… And if the input data changes, you have to start all over.

At Dystlab, we believe this process can be optimized!

That's why in TechEditor 5.3, we've integrated the Chart Editor. Now you can build interactive function plots, visualize data arrays from CSV files, and customize their appearance directly within your report. Forget the fragmented process and third-party software. Let's explore how the new Chart Editor integrates data visualization directly into your workflow.

Aligning on Terminology

In mathematics, a wide range of concepts is used to denote a functional relationship between quantities: graph, diagram, curve, etc. In English terminology, terms like Chart, Plot, and Diagram are used.

Since the term "diagram" is already used in TechEditor (as a separate document type in a project), in this article, we will use the words "plot" and "chart" accordingly.

Chart Editor — The New Plotting Tool

Navigate to the Automation > Objects tab and click on Chart Editor.

The chart editor window will open. By default, the component starts with random (demonstration) data; you can refresh it by clicking the Sample button:

The editor is divided into three parts:

• The main toolbar (top)
• The chart management panel (right)
• The coordinate plane for displaying plots (center)

Panning the Chart

If the Pan option is enabled, you can freely move around the chart by holding down any mouse button.

Scaling the Chart

To zoom in or out, use the Scale X (horizontal scaling) or Scale Y (vertical scaling) mode. To change the scale, move the mouse in the corresponding direction (vertically or horizontally) while holding down the Ctrl key.

The No Scale option disables scaling mode.

Auto-fitting the Chart

To make the entire chart visible after panning or scaling, use the following commands:

• Fit X — fits the chart to the x-axis
• Fit Y — fits the chart to the y-axis
• Fit All — fits the chart to both axes (the entire plot will become visible)

How to Create Plots in TechEditor

Plots are built based on numerical data, which can be sourced from:

• A functional expression y(x)
• Arrays or vectors like [0 1 2.5 6], [4.5 8 20 104]
• A CSV file (data table)
• A single real number (creates one point)

Multiple plots can be added to the Chart Editor's coordinate plane:

Plotting a Mathematical Function

To display a function plot, you need to enter its expression and form an array of arguments.

The function expression is written in the format y(x)=f(x):

The argument must be an array of real numbers — either an existing vector in the document or a vector generated dynamically (within the editor itself). This array must follow the syntax rules of the MathSIV engine, for example:

• [-1 0 1 2 3 4 5] — a static vector of 7 elements from -1 to +5 with a step of 1;
• Array{-5 5}(101) — a dynamic vector of 101 elements in the range from -5 to +5 with a step of 0.1, i.e., x=[-5 -4.9 -4.8 … 5];
• Vx — a variable "Vx" that exists in the report and contains the required values.

You can use any other letter instead of the classic "x" as the function's argument:

Note: If you enter real numbers (or variables with numerical values) into the "x" and "y" fields, the plot will consist of a single point with the corresponding coordinates (x; y).

Plotting from a CSV File or Custom Table

To load data from a CSV file or an Excel table column, you first need to import it. To do this, add a resource document (type — Text or Data Table) to your project and drag your CSV file onto it. For a spreadsheet, you can select the required columns and copy them into the resource.

Tip: If the first row of your table contains text (column headers), delete it.

In our example, the CSV consists of 5 columns: the first represents time, and the other four are corresponding oscillograms. Let's import these columns into separate arrays "X", "Y1", "Y2", "Y3", and "Y4". To do this, we will sequentially add five CSV Object items (from the Automation > Objects tab) to the report:

The key parameters in the CSV Object are Resource Document (your table), Variable Name, and Column (the column number from which data is taken). Other parameters are optional. If you check the variable name in the Value field, its entire value (the data array) will be displayed.

Note: To display a part of a vector's values, use the Range{a b}(V) function. Example: X=[0 2 4 6 8]; Range{0 1}(X)=[0 2]

Once all variables are added to the report, you can work with them as regular matrices — rotate, multiply, transpose, etc., and, of course, create plots.

Let's plot the first two oscillograms from our example. We'll set "X" as the argument and enter "Y1" and "Y2" into the ordinate fields, respectively:

Click Save & Close in the editor to confirm that the plots have been added to the report:

Importing Data Directly from a CSV File

We've reviewed an example where data is first imported into an intermediate project resource document and then used in calculations. This approach is useful because all data is stored within the project and can always be accessed (e.g., from other reports). Plus, it's fast, as all data is loaded into memory.

However, the CSV Object also allows importing data directly from a file without creating a resource. Simply enter the filename in the corresponding field (I recommend using the Browse button for convenience).

Depending on the data volume, this approach might experience delays. If this happens, I recommend disabling automatic document calculation and switching to manual update mode (F5 key).

Practical Use Cases: How Engineers Can Use the Chart Editor

The new tool is versatile and will help solve everyday tasks across many engineering fields. Here are a few scenarios for its application:

• Analyzing mechanical properties of materials by plotting stress-strain curves from test data.
• Visualizing parametric studies to assess the impact of external factors (thickness, load, temperature) on stresses and deflections.
• Investigating dynamic processes and vibrations by plotting graphs of displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
• Creating and analyzing calibration curves for precise calibration of sensors and measuring instruments.
• Analyzing transient processes in electrical engineering by visualizing current and voltage oscillations in RLC circuits.
• Calculating and optimizing trajectories by plotting ballistic curves to compare and find optimal solutions.
• Forecasting performance in the oil and gas industry by analyzing Decline Curves.
• Modeling thermal processes by visualizing plots of a body's cooling or heating over time.

Performing hydraulic calculations by plotting pump characteristics or pressure loss graphs, and more.

Customizing Plots

How to Add, Modify, or Delete a Plot

To add a plot to the canvas, click Add. The plot will appear in the "Series" list. 

The Modify button applies changes to the selected plot. 

The Delete button removes selected plots, and Clear removes all data.

What Happens if You Resize the Chart in the Report?

In the report, you can treat the chart like a regular image — move it, copy it, and, of course, resize it. You can resize the chart freely with the mouse cursor or by specifying exact values in the properties window. To open the properties window, select the chart, open the context menu (right mouse button), and choose Object Properties:

When the chart's dimensions are changed, it may look different in the report than in the editor. The program automatically adapts the coordinate plane to the new size and redraws all plots on this modified plane to ensure they look as sharp and high-quality as possible.

Line, Grid, and Axis Styles

To manage the visual style of your plots, go to the "Series" tab:

• Line color, style, thickness: Lines
• Marker color, type, size: Markers
• Label color and format: Labels

The Grid & Axes tab is used to style the axes and grid:

• Color, style, thickness of grid lines: Lines
• Position of the x-axis: bottom, center, top: X-Axis
• Position of the y-axis: left, center, right: Y-Axis
• Axis labels: Title

Coordinate Plane Settings ("Chart" tab):

• Chart title: Title
• Background color: Color
• Legend visibility: Show Legend
• Border color, style, thickness: Border
• Margins from the plot to the edge of the plane (in pixels): Series margins
• Margins defining the area of the plot that will be rendered in the report (in %, see below): Render area margins

Limiting the Visible Area of the Chart

By default, the entire component space (coordinate plane, plots, axis labels, scales, title, etc.) is inserted into the report. However, you can limit the area that will be displayed. To do this, go to the "Chart" tab and use the Render area margins options:

The red outline here defines the area that will appear in the report. This rectangle is a service element and is not added to the report. To also disable it in the editor, click the Render Area button.

The result in the report:

Analyzing Data on Plots

In addition to visualizing plots, the Chart Editor allows you to retrieve values from them. Two interactive modes are available:

• Trace Continuous — free tracing (not snapped to plots)
• Trace Values — precise tracing (snapped only to existing data points)

Demonstration of Trace Continuous mode:

Demonstration of Trace Values mode:

The No Tracing option cancels tracing mode.

So, the new Chart Editor in TechEditor 5.3 is not just another feature. It's a step toward our goal: to create a single, seamless environment where an engineer can manage the entire workflow from an idea and calculation to a final, professionally formatted report. Integration, flexibility, and a professional look are the key advantages you get today.

Try It: Interactive Examples Are Already in TechEditor

Theory is good, but the best way to evaluate a new tool is to practice. We have prepared a file with the plots discussed in this article and added it to the built-in example library in TechEditor:

To access the example, update TechEditor to version 5.3+ or download the latest version from our catalog.

Plot visualization is another step towards a fully integrated engineering environment. More to come.

Vitalii Artomov

"I am working to make «Made in Ukraine» a global symbol of quality and style"

CEO, co-founder of Dystlab, developer of TechEditor. Engineer, scientist, Ph.D. with over 20 years of experience in structural analysis and automation of engineering calculations. I advise engineering companies in Ukraine, Europe, and North America.

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