How to create figure containing 4 plots with tiledlayout for different values of a parameter?

Hello to everyone,

I'm dealing with a post-processing of large astrodynamics trajectories database and I need to put together 4 figures in one by using tiledlayout matlab function. I want to get 4 plot (one for each value contained inside the array "idx_JC_vec") in one figure and then export it as .pdf file.

Here is my code (sorry for its):

load UHIM_DB   % I reduce the original database to only 4 values of Jacobi constant
load Customized_colors

%Trajectories family selection
% idx_L1   = 1  
% idx_L2   = 2
% idx_JC  = 16   % From 1 to 50

idx_JC_vec = [16,26,36,46]; % I WANT TO SCROLL THIS ARRAY TO GET THE FIGURE WITH 4 PLOTS

t=tiledlayout(2,2,"Padding","compact","TileSpacing","compact");
for k=1:numel(idx_JC_vec)
    nexttile
    idx_JC = idx_JC_vec(k);

% Colos setting
colors_HIM =  [1 0.3 0.3;0.3 0.8 0.9];
colors_PLO = [my_red;my_blue];

%fig = figure;
hold on;axis equal; grid on; box on;

UHIM_plots = zeros(1,2); % preallocation
text_pos =[-0.0012,-0.0025;
           -0.00075,-0.0025];
% Plot trajectories of unstable manifold
for idx_L=1:2
    lgd_label         = ['$JC =$',num2str(UHIM_DB(idx_L).data(idx_JC).JC,'%9.6f')];
    UHIM_plots(idx_L) = plot([UHIM_DB(idx_L).data(idx_JC).PLO_to_CI.x],...
       [UHIM_DB(idx_L).data(idx_JC).PLO_to_CI.y],'Color',colors_HIM(idx_L,:),'LineWidth',0.3,'DisplayName',lgd_label); 

    % Plot PLOs
    plot([UHIM_DB(idx_L).data(idx_JC).PLO.x],[UHIM_DB(idx_L).data(idx_JC).PLO.y],'Color',colors_PLO(idx_L,:),'LineWidth',0.8);
    
    % Plot L-points
    plot(UHIM_DB(idx_L).L_point_pos.x,UHIM_DB(idx_L).L_point_pos.y,'.',...
        'color',[0,0,0],'MarkerFaceColor',my_green,'MarkerSize',10);
    text(UHIM_DB(idx_L).L_point_pos.x+text_pos(idx_L,1),UHIM_DB(idx_L).L_point_pos.y+text_pos(idx_L,2),['$L_{',num2str(idx_L),'}$'],'Interpreter',"latex");
end

% Selection of CI radius based on Jcbi cst value (Ly orbit size)
if (idx_JC >=1 && idx_JC <=5)
    factor_k = 2.0
elseif (idx_JC >=6 && idx_JC <=15)
    factor_k = 2.5
elseif (idx_JC >=16 && idx_JC <=25)
    factor_k = 3.0    
elseif (idx_JC >=26 && idx_JC <=40)
    factor_k = 3.5
elseif (idx_JC >=41 && idx_JC <=50)
    factor_k = 4.0       
end

rCI_EM_km = factor_k .* 9.29e+05;
rCI_EM    = rCI_EM_km / 1.496e+08;
mu = 3.04042342644015e-06;
% Circles data
xC = (mu-1);
yC = 0; 
angle = 0:0.1:360;

circX = xC + rCI_EM*cosd(angle); circY = yC + rCI_EM*sind(angle);

% legend labels 
k_value    = ['$k =\ $',num2str(factor_k)];
r_CI_value = ['$r_{CI} =\ $',num2str(rCI_EM_km,'%3.2e'),'$\ km$'];

% Plot CI
CI_plot=plot(circX, circY,'Color',[0 1 0],'LineWidth',0.7,'DisplayName',r_CI_value);
   
% Plot Earth + Moon system 
plot(mu -1,0,'.',...
    'color',my_blue,'MarkerFaceColor',my_blue,'MarkerSize',20);
text(mu-1.0,0-0.0025,'$E/M$','Interpreter',"latex",'Color',my_blue);

%Legend 
lgd = legend([UHIM_plots,CI_plot],'Orientation',"vertical",'Location',"northeast");
lgd.Interpreter = 'latex'; 
lgd.FontSize    = 9;

% dim = [.24 .835 .150 .06];
% 
% str = ['$JC\ index = $ ',num2str(idx_JC),newline,...
%        '$No.\ traj.\ L_1 = $',num2str(numel([UHIM_DB(idx_L).data(idx_JC).PLO_to_CI.x])/200),newline,...
%        '$No.\ traj.\ L_2 = $',num2str(numel([UHIM_DB(idx_L).data(idx_JC).PLO_to_CI.x])/200)];
% annotation('textbox',dim,'String',str,'Interpreter',"latex",'FitBoxToText','on',...
%            'BackgroundColor',[1 1 1],'FontSize',8);

% Axes lables
xlabel(t,'$x$ (au)','interpreter','latex','fontsize',12); ylabel(t,'$y$ (au)','interpreter','latex','FontSize',12);

% Option to center better the curves inside the plot window
x_lim = xlim; y_lim = ylim;
xlim([x_lim(1)-0.0*norm(x_lim) x_lim(2)+0.0*norm(x_lim)]);
ylim([y_lim(1)-0.1*norm(y_lim) y_lim(2)+0.4*norm(y_lim)]);

title(k_value,'Interpreter','latex');
end

factor_k = 3

factor_k = 3.5000

factor_k = 3.5000

factor_k = 4

%exportgraphics(fig,['fig_UHIM_traj_CI_JC_id_',num2str(idx_JC),'.pdf'],'ContentType','vector')
%%save as pdf

I want to get a figure with 4 plots like the one above according this layout (taken from tiledlayout documentation page):

EDIT(08/10/2022, 21:46): How can I get all equal tiles and with largest size inside my figure?

Answer 1

[Star Strider]

The essence of creating the tiledlayout here is:

tiledlayout(2,2)

for k = 1:numel(idx_JC_vec)

nexttile

idx_JC = idx_JC_vec(k)

. . . CODE . . .

end

I believe this is close to what you want to do.

There is an indexing error in the original code that I cannot locate, so I leave that to you. When that problem is solved, the rest should work and create the desired result. (That problem existed before I added the loop, so unless there is another problem, the loop is likely not the source of it.)

I usually use ‘k’ (or some version of it, such as ‘k1’, ‘k2’, etc.) as the loop index. I did not see any other instances of it, however if it causes problems, change it since it only appears in my loop code in the first three lines.

EDIT — (8 Oct 2022 at 17:46)

EDIT — (8 Oct 2022 at 18:16)

I thought both ‘UHIM_DB.mat’ files were the same. They aren’t. The second one has the missing (or corrected) variables.

% load UHIM_DB   % I reduce the original database to only 4 values of Jacobi constant
% load Customized_colors

load(websave('UHIM_DB','https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/uploaded_files/1149585/UHIM_DB.mat'))

load(websave('Customized_colors','https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/uploaded_files/1149570/Customized_colors.mat'))

% load UHIM_DB   % I reduce the original database to only 4 values of Jacobi constant
% load Customized_colors

%Trajectories family selection
% idx_L1   = 1  
% idx_L2   = 2
% idx_JC  = 16   % From 1 to 50

idx_JC_vec = [16,26,36,46]; % I WANT TO SCROLL THIS ARRAY TO GET THE FIGURE WITH 4 PLOTS

t=tiledlayout(2,2,"Padding","compact","TileSpacing","compact");
for k=1:numel(idx_JC_vec)
    nexttile
    idx_JC = idx_JC_vec(k);

% Colos setting
colors_HIM =  [1 0.3 0.3;0.3 0.8 0.9];
colors_PLO = [my_red;my_blue];

%fig = figure;
hold on;axis equal; grid on; box on;

UHIM_plots = zeros(1,2); % preallocation
text_pos =[-0.0012,-0.0025;
           -0.00075,-0.0025];
% Plot trajectories of unstable manifold
for idx_L=1:2
    lgd_label         = ['$JC =$',num2str(UHIM_DB(idx_L).data(idx_JC).JC,'%9.6f')];
    UHIM_plots(idx_L) = plot([UHIM_DB(idx_L).data(idx_JC).PLO_to_CI.x],...
       [UHIM_DB(idx_L).data(idx_JC).PLO_to_CI.y],'Color',colors_HIM(idx_L,:),'LineWidth',0.3,'DisplayName',lgd_label); 

    % Plot PLOs
    plot([UHIM_DB(idx_L).data(idx_JC).PLO.x],[UHIM_DB(idx_L).data(idx_JC).PLO.y],'Color',colors_PLO(idx_L,:),'LineWidth',0.8);
    
    % Plot L-points
    plot(UHIM_DB(idx_L).L_point_pos.x,UHIM_DB(idx_L).L_point_pos.y,'.',...
        'color',[0,0,0],'MarkerFaceColor',my_green,'MarkerSize',10);
    text(UHIM_DB(idx_L).L_point_pos.x+text_pos(idx_L,1),UHIM_DB(idx_L).L_point_pos.y+text_pos(idx_L,2),['$L_{',num2str(idx_L),'}$'],'Interpreter',"latex");
end

% Selection of CI radius based on Jcbi cst value (Ly orbit size)
if (idx_JC >=1 && idx_JC <=5)
    factor_k = 2.0
elseif (idx_JC >=6 && idx_JC <=15)
    factor_k = 2.5
elseif (idx_JC >=16 && idx_JC <=25)
    factor_k = 3.0    
elseif (idx_JC >=26 && idx_JC <=40)
    factor_k = 3.5
elseif (idx_JC >=41 && idx_JC <=50)
    factor_k = 4.0       
end

rCI_EM_km = factor_k .* 9.29e+05;
rCI_EM    = rCI_EM_km / 1.496e+08;
mu = 3.04042342644015e-06;
% Circles data
xC = (mu-1);
yC = 0; 
angle = 0:0.1:360;

circX = xC + rCI_EM*cosd(angle); circY = yC + rCI_EM*sind(angle);

% legend labels 
k_value    = ['$k =\ $',num2str(factor_k)];
r_CI_value = ['$r_{CI} =\ $',num2str(rCI_EM_km,'%3.2e'),'$\ km$'];

% Plot CI
CI_plot=plot(circX, circY,'Color',[0 1 0],'LineWidth',0.7,'DisplayName',r_CI_value);
   
% Plot Earth + Moon system 
plot(mu -1,0,'.',...
    'color',my_blue,'MarkerFaceColor',my_blue,'MarkerSize',20);
text(mu-1.0,0-0.0025,'$E/M$','Interpreter',"latex",'Color',my_blue);

%Legend 
lgd = legend([UHIM_plots,CI_plot],'Orientation',"vertical",'Location',"northeast");
lgd.Interpreter = 'latex'; 
lgd.FontSize    = 9;

% dim = [.24 .835 .150 .06];
% 
% str = ['$JC\ index = $ ',num2str(idx_JC),newline,...
%        '$No.\ traj.\ L_1 = $',num2str(numel([UHIM_DB(idx_L).data(idx_JC).PLO_to_CI.x])/200),newline,...
%        '$No.\ traj.\ L_2 = $',num2str(numel([UHIM_DB(idx_L).data(idx_JC).PLO_to_CI.x])/200)];
% annotation('textbox',dim,'String',str,'Interpreter',"latex",'FitBoxToText','on',...
%            'BackgroundColor',[1 1 1],'FontSize',8);

% Axes lables
xlabel(t,'$x$ (au)','interpreter','latex','fontsize',12); ylabel(t,'$y$ (au)','interpreter','latex','FontSize',12);

% Option to center better the curves inside the plot window
x_lim = xlim; y_lim = ylim;
xlim([x_lim(1)-0.0*norm(x_lim) x_lim(2)+0.0*norm(x_lim)]);
ylim([y_lim(1)-0.1*norm(y_lim) y_lim(2)+0.4*norm(y_lim)]);

title(k_value,'Interpreter','latex');
end

factor_k = 3

factor_k = 3.5000

factor_k = 3.5000

factor_k = 4

%exportgraphics(fig,['fig_UHIM_traj_CI_JC_id_',num2str(idx_JC),'.pdf'],'ContentType','vector')
%%save as pdf
%exportgraphics(fig,['fig_UHIM_traj_CI_JC_id_',num2str(idx_JC),'.pdf'],'ContentType','vector')
%%save as pdf
%exportgraphics(fig,['fig_UHIM_traj_CI_JC_id_',num2str(idx_JC),'.pdf'],'ContentType','vector')
%%save as pdf

.

[Giuseppe]

Question updated!

[Star Strider]

@Giuseppe — I’m still getting the indexing error. See my edited code and comment.

[Star Strider]

I thought both ‘UHIM_DB.mat’ files were the same. They aren’t. The second one has the missing (or corrected) variables.

[Giuseppe]

I don't know why you have had that issue, as said before, I modified the original database to reduce its size. The file I uploaded inside the question is ok. Sorry for wasting your time to find the code bug!

[Giuseppe]

However, how can I get all equal tiles and with largest size inside my figure?

[Image Analyst]

@Giuseppe then why are there TWO UHIM_DB.mat files attached? Which one do we use?

[Star Strider]

No worries! The left side ‘UHIM_DB’ file has problems. The right side ‘UHIM_DB’ file solves them. They aren’t the same file.

The four plots appear to be the same size. I am not certain what you want to do with it. If you change the figure Position, the tiles should scale with it. You will have to experiment with those properties to get the result you want, since I am not certain what that is.

[Giuseppe]

Hi @Star Strider, eventually I managed to solve with a trial and error method, by adding these lines at the end of the code:

% I converted all lenghts (inside the code) in phisical units (km) by using the conversion
% factor au2km
au2km = 1.495978707e+08 
offset= 0.030e8;
xLim_tiled_1 = (mu-1)*au2km - (4* 9.29e+05);
xLim_tiled_2 = (mu-1)*au2km + (4* 9.29e+05);
xlim([xLim_tiled_1-offset xLim_tiled_2+offset]);
ylim([-3.85e+6 4.9e+6]);

set(gcf,'position',[278.6, 0.2, 950, 700]);  

[Star Strider]

Thank you!

I did not entirely understand the latest problem, however I am happy that my approach using Position was part of the solution.

Answer 2

[Image Analyst]

I'm not seeing where you called nexttile. You need to do that.

[Giuseppe]

I did not use tiledlayout, my question is proper on to how implement it.

[Image Analyst]

tiledlayout(2, 2);
for k = 1 : 4
    nexttile
    plot(rand(1, 5), '.-', 'LineWidth', 2, 'MarkerSize', 30)
    grid on;
    caption = sprintf('Plot #%d of 4', k);
    title(caption, 'FontSize', 16)
end

[Giuseppe]

Thank @Image Analyst, I applied your logic to my code but I have issues, can you modify the code I posted in the answer to show me the implementation?

[Image Analyst]

You have problems with indexing when I run it:

idx_JC =

16

Index exceeds the number of array elements. Index must not exceed 4.

Error in test7 (line 31)

lgd_label = ['$JC =$',num2str(UHIM_DB(idx_L).data(idx_JC).JC,'%9.6f')];

Can you fix that first?

[Giuseppe]

Question updated!