A plot area is the area in which data points (bars, points, lines, etc) are drawn. A plot area contains a collection of series. Each series is a collection of data points. A plot area may also contain an axis(s) and wall(s). The axis(s) and wall(s) enhance the visual appearance of the plot area and are usually painted just outside the plot area.

A plot area can be assigned an anchor view location and a view size. The anchor view location is specified in normalized units ((0,0) = left upper corner of chart view, (1,1) = right lower corner of chart view). The view size of the plot area is specified in normalized units ((0,0) = zero size, (1,1) = full size of chart view). The left top corner of the plot area is aligned with the anchor location.

A plot area can be assigned a model size using width, height, and depth properties. The properties use model units.

There are several plot types:

• Y Plot Types
• XY Plot Types
• XYZ Plot Types
• Pie Plot Types
• Polar Plot Types
• Radar Plot Types
• Data Plot Types

Each plot type has different chart types associated with it, as explained in the plot type topics.

Return to the overview at Understanding and Customizing Charts.