WISH: Advanced Charts and Graphs

Hi David,

Considering the growing number of analysis components for Grasshopper it might be a good idea to add more advanced graphs and charts to Grasshopper. Current set (Quick Graph, Bar Graph, and Pie Chart) is cool but kind of limited to quick presentations.

I think a set of standard charts (Line, Column, Bar, Pie, Scatter, etc.) similar to excel would be a great start. To have control on axes range, axes title, colors, etc. is also something that can help so much to make a better presentation of the result.

I understand that it could be so much to ask for now but in case there are more people who think more advanced charts are helpful, and you find it worthwhile to put more time on charts and graphs then something like MATLAB graphs and charts is what I would love to have in Grasshopper: (http://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/creating_plots/figures-plots-a...). Again I know it is so much to ask for now but I just thought I should bring it up and then see the opinion of others.

Thanks,

Mostapha

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ángel Linares on May 2, 2013 at 11:19am

I like this wish but I have mixed fillings about it.

It could be nice to have improved graphs that lets you to control representation details, ranges, etc.
It could be awesome to have more types of graphs.
But I think that GH is a plugin to create parametric models linked with Rhino and with some playing you can create custom graphs in Rhino using GH. Because of this, I think that to make too complex graph components in grasshopper could step out of the main concept of the software.

Permalink Reply by Michael Pryor on May 2, 2013 at 11:36am

agree, seems more like the task for a plug-in

Permalink Reply by Mostapha Sadeghipour Roudsari on May 2, 2013 at 1:01pm

Well... If number 1 and 2 from Angel's list be there (like a standard bar graph with control on the axis) then I agree complex graphs can be done with a Plugin.

Let me ask this then: Are you guys get what you want from the quick graph? Or do you always have to export the numbers to excel, etc.?

Permalink Reply by Ángel Linares on May 2, 2013 at 1:20pm

I usually try to make the graphs using GH & Rhino geometry. Then I usually export to Ai to give them the final touch. For "quick" graphs I usually export values to OpenOffice; and for "quickquickquick" graphs I just capture GH canvas.

A plugin to make graphs...nice idea :) Someone want to begin a collaborative Github repository with it? :D

Permalink Reply by Mostapha Sadeghipour Roudsari on May 4, 2013 at 1:20pm

Thanks Angel, I think I'll be the one to start then however it will be limited to all the limitations of the GHPython component! Better than nothing though... :)

Permalink Reply by Jonathan Sandoval on May 2, 2013 at 4:12pm

Mostapha,

I like where you're headed on this suggestion. The Graphs in GH would be an ever evolving instance within your GH definition this could be useful in having one or a few components that than allow users to simply name their axis and determine the list being evaluated with a possibility of baking the graph out as vectors into Rhino for those touch-ups.

Permalink Reply by Mostapha Sadeghipour Roudsari on May 4, 2013 at 1:22pm

Agreed! Thanks Jon.

Permalink Reply by John Harding on July 11, 2013 at 5:10am

Hello,

I made a couple of extra simple charts as part of my (very much delayed!) Embryo project. They're not meant to be too complicated, because as mentioned, you should really export the data and visualise elsewhere for such purposes.

The spider (radar) chart is quite useful for visualising multi-objective things.

I've compiled a couple here separately if you wish to have a look/use/provide feedback $:)

John.

Permalink Reply by Mostapha Sadeghipour Roudsari on July 11, 2013 at 4:46pm

Hi John!

Thank you for sharing. These are pretty cool and handy graphs. Are you going to make more graph types (e.g. bar graph) too?

I liked the legend option so much. It really helps to make a graph useful. I understand you don't want to make it complicated but I think an option to show the values on the graph could also help.

I would also think of multiple inputs for scatter graph so one can use the graph for comparative studies between to series of numbers. I would also think of an optional color control for the graph.

Thanks again! I'm also waiting for your [going to be] amazing plugin!

Cheers,

Mostapha

Permalink Reply by John Harding on July 13, 2014 at 6:02am

Dear all,

It appears that there was a bug with the ImageFromPath component that goes ultra-paranoid with a null input. Please find attached replacement with this fixed.

MIT license applies (http://opensource.org/licenses/MIT).

Thanks,

John.

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