DPlot

[DPlotAdmin]

As with the previous beta release, licensed users who are not currently using version 1.8.2 of DPlot will need to download and install that version before installing any of these new beta releases. If you are a licensed user and are not signed up for the mailing list, contact me for the details on obtaining version 1.8.2.

Changes:

• Added EditEraseData command, which simply sets the number of points in one curve or all curves to 0, rather than destroying the curve (or the entire plot). This will primarily be useful to developers of realtime applications that want to wipe out existing curves without destroying other aspects of a plot.
  
• File type 'B' (ASCII text file with number of points followed by X,Y pairs) will now accept multiple curves in the same file.
  
• Changed WindowTile command to accept a parameter that changes the window arrangement from "tall rather than wide" to "wide rather than tall"
  
• DPlot did not properly save notes that consisted of a single character.
  
• New (in 1.8.2.2) feature of clicking on the plot to fill in X or Y values in dialog boxes is now used in all dialogs where it is appropriate. There was also a bug in this feature that could under some circumstances prevent you from moving the dialog with your mouse - this has been fixed.
  

Version 1.8.2.2:

• Added toolbar button for List Peaks within a Range.
  
• Added a new feature for dialog boxes that prompt you for an X or Y value: While a text box meant to accept an X or Y value has the focus, if you left click on the plot then the corresponding X or Y value (whichever is appropriate) at that location is automatically written to the box and the focus is shifted to the next control on the dialog. This isn't implemented in all dialogs where it would be appropriate yet. For an example see the X range boxes for Truncate X and Smooth. Currently no effort is made to round values, so you'll probably get more significant digits than you'd like. This will most likely be improved. There's also no visual cue that you can do this - ideas will be appreciated. (Thanks to Lance for the suggestion).
  
• Increased the default timeout value in DPLOTLIB functions from 1 second to 10 seconds. The shorter timeout value worked fine for most plots, but was insufficient for large (>5000 points, depending on processor speed) contour plots of random 3D points.
  
• Line segments drawn as a result of XY or XYXY commands or with the new DPlot_AddData DPLOTLIB function were not repainted properly if the ManualScale command was also used and the DPlot window was covered/uncovered.
  
• ManualScale macro/DDE command did not allow you to specify the Z extents for a 3D plot.
  
• DPlot files saved while in data processing mode may or may not have had data processing mode turned on automatically when the file was re-read.
  

Version 1.8.2.1:

• DPlot_SetErrorMethod allows you to specify how error messages are reported. Default is via OutputDebugString; you can change this to no error messages or MessageBox. In general DPLOTLIB now does a better job of reporting error conditions. This function should be particularly useful to programmers using an environment not specifically mentioned in the DPLOTLIB documentation.
  
• DPlot_GetBitmapEx is identical to DPlot_GetBitmap, but additionally returns plot metric information so that the calling program can convert bitmap pixel coordinates to plot space. This can be used, for example, to display X,Y coordinates of the mouse position as the user moves his cursor across the bitmap. The updated btest2 example illustrates this feature. Thanks to Chris Rouleau for the suggestion.
  
• DPlot_AddData allows you to add data points to an existing curve and/or create a new curve in an existing document. The new btest3 and ctest3 examples use DPlot_AddData in a real-time simulation.
  
• Real-time simulations in C and Visual Basic have been added to the DPLOTLIB distribution. See btest3 and ctest3 examples.
  
• Removed the "Use arrow keys to pan" message from the status bar when zooming. This message was previously locked in for 5 seconds and was an annoyance for many users.

Downloads:
DPlot: http://www.dplot.com/beta/dplotsetup.exe
DPlot Jr: http://www.dplot.com/beta/dplotjr_setup.exe
DPLOTLIB: http://www.dplot.com/beta/dplotlib.zip (DPLOTLIB is included with DPlot Jr; you don't need both)

Edit: Links changed to normal downloads, which now include all of these changes.
As always, comments, questions, and criticisms are welcome.
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