Export level along with coordinates from contour figure datatips?

I have been adding datatips to a contour plot figure which show the x & y positions along with the contour level value. When I export the datatips to the workspace, I get the x & y positions but not the level. I know I could just look up the level using those coordinates, but since my x & y axes from the plot come from separate variables it is a bit of coding to do so. Since what I want is right in front of me, it would be nice if I could get it at the same time as I export the coordinates. I found where I can change the display text, but nothing to change the exported struct. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Answer 1

[Matt Fig]

Although I think you could alter the built-in M-code to do what you want, I would probably do this instead. I called this:

Z = peaks;
[C,h] = contour(interp2(Z,4));

then I put three data-cursors on the contours. Then from the command line:

F = findall(0,'type','hggroup');  
S = get(F(1:end-1),'string');
S = regexp(cat(1,S{:}),'-*\d+\.*\d+','match');
N = cellfun(@str2double,reshape([S{:}],size(S)))
N =
          221          359      -2.0891
          499          592       3.8319
          103          591   -0.0017914

The first column contains the x coord, the second column the y coord, and the third column the level.

[Nancy Jestel]

Many thanks! I'm not familiar with handle graphics groups and that looks like a good topic to learn more about. I tried the code and made a few minor modifications, primarily because my levels are in scientific notation. Everything seems to be working well. Fantastic! Here's what I ended up with:

F = findall(gcf,'type','hggroup');

S = get(F(1:end-1),'string');

SSS = regexp(cat(1,S{:}),'-*\d+\.*\d+[e]\D\d+','match');

SS = regexp(cat(1,S{:}),'-*\d+\.*\d+','match');

for i = 1:size(SS,1)

SS{i,3}=SSS{i,3};

end;

N = cellfun(@str2double,reshape([SS{:}],size(SS)));

Answer 2

[Patrick Kalita]

As far as I know you cannot customize the struct that is exported. But it does seem like a useful thing to do. I would suggest contacting tech support and ask them to make an enhancement request for it.

[Nancy Jestel]

Thanks, I did put in an enhancement request, because while it looks like Matt solved my immediate problem, that does just seem like an obvious thing to have.