Hi Yair, interesting post.

I’ve played with jgraph ( ^[14]). It’s more of a graphing (flow diagram) tool originally meant to extend jtree. I thought it might be useful in creating a simple “visual programing” interface akin to Simulink. It works almost as advertised except for dragging vertices around. For some reason, no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to get that behavior enabled when using Matlab (it works fine in pure java). Maybe it has something to do with DnD but it still eludes me.

Anyhow, for anyone interested, here’s some code:

javaaddpath('jgraphx.jar')
 
%Make the graph object.
graph = com.mxgraph.view.mxGraph;
 
%Get the parent cell.
parent = graph.getDefaultParent();
 
%Group update.
graph.getModel().beginUpdate();
%Add some child cells.
v1 = graph.insertVertex(parent, '', 'Hello', 240, 150, 80,30);
v2 = graph.insertVertex(parent, '', 'World', 20, 20,80, 30);
graph.insertEdge(parent, '', 'Edge', v1, v2);
graph.getModel().endUpdate();
 
%Get scrollpane.
graphComponent = com.mxgraph.swing.mxGraphComponent(graph);
 
%Make a figure and stick the component on it.
f = figure('units','pixels');
pos = get(f,'position'); 
mypanel = javax.swing.JPanel(java.awt.BorderLayout);
mypanel.add(graphComponent);
[obj, hcontainer] = javacomponent(mypanel, [0,0,pos(3:4)], f);

Hi Yair, this is the best blog ever! (Second is ^[15])

Before I read this post I didn’ t use any other graphic component. But now I’ll use JFreeChart and its capabilities for cool charting. I’m deeply impressed of the “easy” way how multiple axis charts can be produced and designed by JFreeChart.

Here is some code, oriented to the original demo of JFreeChart.
Possible result can be seen here: ^[16]

function multiple_axis_demo
% TimeSeriesDemo alá JFreeGraph-Demo
% see best blog ever for more information: https://undocumentedmatlab.com/blog/jfreechart-graphs-and-gauges/
%
% need to download and install first: JFreeChart 1.0.13 and JFreeCommon 1.0.16
% (http://www.jfree.org/jfreechart/download.html)

%% settings:
% change path to your local JFreeChart-Insatllation first
javaaddpath C:/Users/sk/Documents/MATLAB/jfreechart-1.0.13/lib/jcommon-1.0.16.jar
javaaddpath C:/Users/sk/Documents/MATLAB/jfreechart-1.0.13/lib/jfreechart-1.0.13.jar

%% Start
dataset1 = createDataset('1. TSeries', 100, org.jfree.data.time.Minute, 200 );

% generate chart and edit chart settings
chart = org.jfree.chart.ChartFactory.createTimeSeriesChart('Multiple Axis Demo 1', 'Time of Day', 'Primary Range Axis', dataset1, true, true, false);
background_color = chart.getBackgroundPaint;
chart.setBackgroundPaint(background_color.white); 

% plot object of chart editing
plot_obj = chart.getXYPlot();
plot_obj.setOrientation(org.jfree.chart.plot.PlotOrientation.VERTICAL);
plot_obj.setBackgroundPaint(background_color.lightGray);
plot_obj.setDomainGridlinePaint(background_color.white);
plot_obj.setRangeGridlinePaint(background_color.white);
%axis_spacer = plot_obj.getAxisOffset;
plot_obj.setAxisOffset(org.jfree.ui.RectangleInsets(5,5,5,5));
plot_obj.getRangeAxis().setFixedDimension(15.0);
Standard_renderer = org.jfree.chart.renderer.xy.XYLineAndShapeRenderer(true, false);
Standard_renderer.setSeriesPaint(0, background_color.black);
renderer          = plot_obj.getRenderer;
% renderer          = plot_obj.getRenderer;
renderer.setPaint(background_color.black);
%plot_obj.setRenderer(0, Standard_renderer);

%% AXIS 2 
axis2 = org.jfree.chart.axis.NumberAxis('Range Axis 2');
axis2.setAutoRangeIncludesZero(false);
axis2.setLabelPaint(java.awt.Color(255/255,0,0));
axis2.setTickLabelPaint(background_color.red);
plot_obj.setRangeAxis(1, axis2);
plot_obj.setRangeAxisLocation(1, org.jfree.chart.axis.AxisLocation.BOTTOM_OR_LEFT);
% create new Dataset
dataset2 = createDataset('2. TSeries', 1000, org.jfree.data.time.Minute, 170 );
plot_obj.setDataset(1, dataset2); 
plot_obj.mapDatasetToRangeAxis(1,1);
renderer2 = org.jfree.chart.renderer.xy.XYLineAndShapeRenderer(true, false);
renderer2.setSeriesPaint(0, background_color.red);
plot_obj.setRenderer(1, renderer2);

%% AXIS 3 
axis3 = org.jfree.chart.axis.NumberAxis('Range Axis 3');
axis3.setLabelPaint(java.awt.Color(0,0,255/255));
axis3.setTickLabelPaint(background_color.blue);
plot_obj.setRangeAxis(2, axis3);
% create new Dataset
dataset3 = createDataset('3. TSeries', 10000, org.jfree.data.time.Minute, 170 );
plot_obj.setDataset(2, dataset3);
plot_obj.mapDatasetToRangeAxis(2,2);
renderer3 = org.jfree.chart.renderer.xy.XYLineAndShapeRenderer(true, false);
renderer3.setSeriesPaint(0, background_color.blue);
plot_obj.setRenderer(2, renderer3);

%% AXIS 4
axis4 = org.jfree.chart.axis.NumberAxis('Range Axis 4');
axis4.setLabelPaint(java.awt.Color(0,255/255,0));
axis4.setTickLabelPaint(background_color.green);
plot_obj.setRangeAxis(3, axis4);
% create new Dataset
dataset4 = createDataset('4. TSeries', 25, org.jfree.data.time.Minute, 200 );
plot_obj.setDataset(3, dataset4);
plot_obj.mapDatasetToRangeAxis(3,3);
renderer4 = org.jfree.chart.renderer.xy.XYLineAndShapeRenderer(true, true);   % Line and Marker
renderer4.setSeriesPaint(0, background_color.green);
plot_obj.setRenderer(3, renderer4);

%% Show graph
jPanel2 = org.jfree.chart.ChartPanel(chart);
figure;
[jp,hp] = javacomponent(jPanel2,[20,20,500,500],gcf);

% Function for TimeSeries-Data Generation
function dataset = createDataset(datasetname, value, startperiod, anzahl_werte )
series = org.jfree.data.time.TimeSeries(java.lang.String(datasetname));  % create TimeSeries
for i =0:1:anzahl_werte
    series.add(startperiod, value);
    startperiod = startperiod.next();
    value = value * (1 + (rand(1) - 0.495) / 10.0);
end;

dataset_timeseries = org.jfree.data.time.TimeSeriesCollection(series);   % dataset generation
dataset_timeseries.removeAllSeries
dataset_timeseries.addSeries(series);
dataset = dataset_timeseries;

Addendum Feb 14, 2011: The code above was uploaded to the Matlab File Exchange today ( ^[17]), along with a few other JFreeChart-based plotting utilities ( ^[18]).

Yair also asked for Matlab-related infographics, as well as other 3.rd party used java charting libraries. Because it is a pretty cool feature I’ll show you an interactive html-document produced by Matlab (examples can be found here: ^[19]).
I use some Java-based stuff for presentations of interactive 3D data produced by Matlab. The software, which allows that is called Javaview ( ^[20]).
The way it works is, that the 3D-data of the Matlab figure can be exported to the *.stl file format ( ^[21]). This file can be opened by javaview, then you can edit the graph the way you like and export it as an html-document. An alternative way is to use symbolic math toolbox to generate javaview file (jvd, jvx) and generate from within Matlab the html document.
For further information you may have a look on my MCFE: ^[18]

thanks Sven – interesting indeed 🙂

Hi,

It would be interesting to see your “graphic presentation of Matlab’s position in the computer programming world” – Matlab at 52 % ? That sounds like a lot?

Jan

@Jan – the numbers are fake of course. I was just using it to illustrate the point of using JFreeChart.

And before anyone else jumps – yes, I know that Matlab has a built-in pie chart. Again, I was just using it to illustrate JFreeChart. Believe me when I say that it has many features that are not available in regular Matlab graphs.

hi, thank you for this tutorial. nice tutorial about matlab ..

[…] plots that I would like to highlight today is based on the open-source JFreeChart, that I have described here last year. Sven Körner has used this to provide a dozen different customized Matlab plots […]

Wow
This library is great and amazing….
but I try Sven Körner function, when I put the mouse cursor on line plot for only one plot just data will be display under the cursor, and the others nothing happend…
How can I get data for other line plot by cursor?

Thanks so much…

Hi dear Yair
in the Sven posted file in this page I tried to change the time period to my sapmles that belongs to long ago I couldn’t.
in the command lines
series.add(startperiod, value);
startperiod = startperiod.next();
the program takes current system time and plot data.
How can I set my data on the plot according to my sample time that takes in past?

@Reza – try leaving Sven a comment on the relevant FEX page, or send him a query using his FEX homepage

Hi Yair,
I bought your book.I should say, its well documented in revealing the hidden powers of MATLAB. I am tried to add Jfreecharts.
But not yet succesful. Can you please help me with yur advise. Attached is the o/p from command window.
Thanks in advance

>> javaaddpath C:\Users\c_mathewj\Desktop\Matlab_java\jfreechart-1.0.15\jfreechart-1.0.15\lib\jcommon-1.0.18
Warning: Invalid file or directory
‘C:\Users\c_mathewj\Desktop\Matlab_java\jfreechart-1.0.15\jfreechart-1.0.15\lib\jcommon-1.0.18’.
> In javaclasspath>local_validate_dynamic_path at 276
In javaclasspath>local_javapath at 184
In javaclasspath at 119
In javaaddpath at 69
>> javaaddpath C:\Users\c_mathewj\Desktop\Matlab_java\jfreechart-1.0.15\jfreechart-1.0.15\lib\jfreechart-1.0.15
Warning: Invalid file or directory
‘C:\Users\c_mathewj\Desktop\Matlab_java\jfreechart-1.0.15\jfreechart-1.0.15\lib\jfreechart-1.0.15’.
> In javaclasspath>local_validate_dynamic_path at 276
In javaclasspath>local_javapath at 184
In javaclasspath at 119
In javaaddpath at 69
>> javaaddpath C:\Users\c_mathewj\Desktop\Matlab_java\jfreechart-1.0.15\jfreechart-1.0.15\lib\

>> dataset = org.jfree.data.general.DefaultPieDataset;
Undefined variable “org” or function “org.jfree.data.general.DefaultPieDataset”.

Read the output – It tells you right there and there “Warning: Invalid file or directory”

The warning came when i tried to include the directory with the file name. Please check the last two commands. Still it shows undefined variable org

you did not follow the instructions in the article. you need to javaaddpath the jar files directly, not their folder

Hi Yair,
Thanks for the guidance. I am totally new to java on MATLAB. The file extension was missing on the add path command.
It works now.

Regards
Matthew

[…] who will describe the integration of Plotly graphs and charts in Matlab. Unlike the open-source JFreeChart and Waterloo plotting libraries that were described here in the past, Plotly is a commercial (not […]

Hi Yair,
Thanks for your book and blog on using java with Matlab. I am using the dial gauge from jfreechart, and I’m overlaying multiple gauges in my UI layout to give a more realistic look of an assembled dashboard. However, to do this and make it look good, I need to have full transparency of the background for each chart. This is where I am stuck. Below, I’ve attempted to illustrate the key parts of the code that create these objects and I would expect to assign transparency. From what I’ve read, it seems like folks are able to get this to work for java, so I’m wondering if its a limitation of Matlab’s figure window? I appreciate any help.

% First the dial plot:
plot = DialPlot();
plot.setBackgroundAlpha(0);
...
% Then the chart:
chart1 = JFreeChart(plot);
chart1.setBackgroundImageAlpha(0);
chart1.setBackgroundPaint(Color(0,0,0,1));
...
% Then use chartpanel class (IS THIS WHERE TRANSPARENCY GETS LOST?)
cp1 =  ChartPanel(chart1);
...
% Then adding it to the a figure
fh = figure('position',[850, 300,  600,  600]);
jp = jcontrol(fh, cp1,'Position',[.4/2, .45/2, .6, .6]);

Thanks for any help you may be able to offer.
Chad

@Chad – Matlab uses an opaque panel for displaying Java components, so even if the component is made transparent, it would still just show the opaque panel beneath it. Perhaps there is a way around this, but I am not aware of it, at least on HG1 (R2014a or earlier), I haven’t tried really hard on HG2 (R2014b onward).

@ Yair, I really appreciate the quick response, and your comment about the opaque panel for Java components is valuable to know. For what I’m trying to achieve, I believe the way around this is to create the dial gauge assembly (using dial gauges from JFreeChart) using addLayer() to “stack” objects. It will make the code less modular and somewhat messier, but I think it should do the trick unless there’s something I’m overlooking. Thanks again.

Hi Yair,

First of all, thank you for your fantastic book “Undocumented Secrets of MATLAB – Java programming”. It has really improved my programming skills. I have a problem that I don’t succeed to solve.

I created a program which uses jfreechart. So at the beginning of the program, I load jfreechart-1.0.13.jar and jcommon-1.0.16.jar by using javaaddpath i.e.

javaaddpath('O:\Users\gcr\MATLAB\jcommon-1.0.23\jcommon-1.0.23\jcommon-1.0.23.jar');
javaaddpath('O:\Users\gcr\MATLAB\jfreechart-1.0.19\jfreechart-1.0.19\lib\jfreechart-1.0.19.jar');

The first time I launch MATLAB and my program, everything works well but if I close the GUI and re-launch the program, I get a error message: Undefined variable org or class org.jfree.data.category.DefaultCategoryDataset. I really don’t understand why I get this error when I try to re-launch my program. So, I have to close MATLAB. re-open MATLAB and launch the program. Any suggestions?

By the way, I would to add my MATLAB code to a website. I don’t have the compiler and the (C#, java)-builder. Do you know how we can integrate MATLAB code to a website. If you write a book about how integrate MATLAB code to a website, I will be the first to buy it!

Again, congratulations for your fantastic blog,

Best regards,
Gilles

@Gilles – perhaps your program bypasses the javaaddpath part in its startup if some condition occurs. Use Matlab editor’s integrated debugger to find out what exactly happens.

In general, it might be better to add these 2 JAR files to your static Java classpath (by editing javaclasspath.txt in your startup folder) , rather than to the dynamic path (via javaaddpath).

If you found my book(s) useful, please add positive feedbacks on Amazon for the benefit of others – thanks!
* ^[22]
* ^[23]

I plan to write about displaying interactive Matlab GUI in a webpage later this year. Stay tuned!

Hi,
Can you please provide few sample code for gauge chart.

Hello,thank you it is fantastic! I’m trying to use the dialdemo4 in MATLAB, but I don’t understand why it gives me the error: ‘Undefined function or variable ‘DefaultValueDataset’. or the same thing with Dialplot fo example, but I downloaded all of these and I have in my current folder, I’m new with java so I really don’t know how to solve this problem also if probably it is something easy. Thank you!!

@Ivan – you probably forgot the javaaddpath step (read the main article above for details).
If you need dedicated assistance for your specific project, email me for a consulting request.

Thank you for the availability!! Now I have a new problem, Matlab gives me the error:
”The CLASS function must be called from a class constructor.”
And after days of research I didn’t find what does it mean, can you help me??

@Ivan – read my reply above. I am not a free public service.

Of course you are right I’m sorry; I’m just doing it for my personal curiosity so it’s not necessary to disturb you anymore, however thank you a lot and congratulations for your blog and your books!!

Hi, Yair
I have a question, its possible add multiple subtask in gantt chart?

Hello,
Very useful, thank you for sharing. I am using the gauges but only in individual figures within a more complex GUI. I made a workaround to update values that are obtained from varargin of the GUI function (from a Simulink model), not the best optimized one, but got the job done.

What I would really like to obtain is to have several gauges in the main GUI figure (separate tabs). Unfortunately I wasn’t able to upload this to existing GUI axes as the jcontrol command will create new children on the specified target that “must”(?) be a figure.

% New figure
fh = figure('Units','normalized','position',[0.1,0.1,  0.2,  0.4]);

% ChartPanel with JControl
jp = jcontrol(fh, cp1,'Position',[0.01 0.07 0.98 0.88]);
 

Is it incompatible with axes and works only with figures or am I missing something ?

Thank you in advance for your time

@Christian – you cannot place controls in axes, but you can place them inside panels and uitabs, not just figures.

Yair,
Thank you for your fast and correct reply. This really motivated me to learn more about java objects and their integration with Matlab. Now I have a beautiful GUI with what I wasn’t able to obtain from Matalb.

Thank you so much again for sharing and for your answer. I am sure that time will prove that I’ll be visiting your sites for other tricks.

Best regards