Status#

Discussion

Branches and Pull requests#

None so far.

Abstract#

When one Axis of a 2-dimensional plot is overridden viaset_xlim orset_ylim, automatic scaling of the remaining Axis should be based onthe data that falls within the specified limits of the first Axis.

Detailed description#

When axis limits for a 2-D plot are specified for one axis only (viaset_xlim orset_ylim), matplotlib currently does not currently rescale the other axis. Theresult is that the displayed curves or symbols may be compressed into a tinyportion of the available area, so that the final plot conveys much lessinformation than it would with appropriate axis scaling.

The proposed change of behavior would make matplotlib choose the scale for theremaining axis using only the data that falls within the limits for the axiswhere limits were specified.

Implementation#

I don't know enough about the internals of matplotlib to be able to suggest animplementation.

Backward compatibility#

From the standpoint of software interfaces, there would be no break inbackward compatibility. Some outputs would be different, but if the usertruly desires the previous behavior, he/she can achieve this by overridingthe axis scaling for both axes.

Alternatives#

The only alternative that I can see is to maintain the status quo.