""" ===================== Curve with error band ===================== This example illustrates how to draw an error band around a parametrized curve. A parametrized curve x(t), y(t) can directly be drawn using `~.Axes.plot`. """ # sphinx_gallery_thumbnail_number = 2 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt import numpy as np from matplotlib.patches import PathPatch from matplotlib.path import Path N = 400 t = np.linspace(0, 2 * np.pi, N) r = 0.5 + np.cos(t) x, y = r * np.cos(t), r * np.sin(t) fig, ax = plt.subplots() ax.plot(x, y, "k") ax.set(aspect=1) # %% # An error band can be used to indicate the uncertainty of the curve. # In this example we assume that the error can be given as a scalar *err* # that describes the uncertainty perpendicular to the curve in every point. # # We visualize this error as a colored band around the path using a # `.PathPatch`. The patch is created from two path segments *(xp, yp)*, and # *(xn, yn)* that are shifted by +/- *err* perpendicular to the curve *(x, y)*. # # Note: This method of using a `.PathPatch` is suited to arbitrary curves in # 2D. If you just have a standard y-vs.-x plot, you can use the simpler # `~.Axes.fill_between` method (see also # :doc:`/gallery/lines_bars_and_markers/fill_between_demo`). def draw_error_band(ax, x, y, err, **kwargs): # Calculate normals via centered finite differences (except the first point # which uses a forward difference and the last point which uses a backward # difference). dx = np.concatenate([[x[1] - x[0]], x[2:] - x[:-2], [x[-1] - x[-2]]]) dy = np.concatenate([[y[1] - y[0]], y[2:] - y[:-2], [y[-1] - y[-2]]]) l = np.hypot(dx, dy) nx = dy / l ny = -dx / l # end points of errors xp = x + nx * err yp = y + ny * err xn = x - nx * err yn = y - ny * err vertices = np.block([[xp, xn[::-1]], [yp, yn[::-1]]]).T codes = np.full(len(vertices), Path.LINETO) codes[0] = codes[len(xp)] = Path.MOVETO path = Path(vertices, codes) ax.add_patch(PathPatch(path, **kwargs)) _, axs = plt.subplots(1, 2, layout='constrained', sharex=True, sharey=True) errs = [ (axs[0], "constant error", 0.05), (axs[1], "variable error", 0.05 * np.sin(2 * t) ** 2 + 0.04), ] for i, (ax, title, err) in enumerate(errs): ax.set(title=title, aspect=1, xticks=[], yticks=[]) ax.plot(x, y, "k") draw_error_band(ax, x, y, err=err, facecolor=f"C{i}", edgecolor="none", alpha=.3) plt.show() # %% # # .. admonition:: References # # The use of the following functions, methods, classes and modules is shown # in this example: # # - `matplotlib.patches.PathPatch` # - `matplotlib.path.Path` # # .. tags:: # # component: error # plot-type: line # level: intermediate