SUBPLOT Subplot Function

Section: Handle-Based Graphics

Usage

This function divides the current figure into a 2-dimensional grid, each of which can contain a plot of some kind. The function has a number of syntaxes. The first version 
   subplot(row,col,num)

which either activates subplot number num, or sets up a subplot grid of size row x col, and then activates num. You can also set up subplots that cover multiple grid elements 

   subplot(row,col,[vec])

where vec is a set of indexes covered by the new subplot. Finally, as a shortcut, you can specify a string with three components 

   subplot('mnp')

or using the alternate notation 

   subplot mnp

where m is the number of rows, n is the number of columns and p is the index. You can also specify the location of the subplot explicitly using the syntax 

   subplot('position',[left bottom width height])

Example

Here is the use of subplot to set up a 2 x 2 grid of plots 
--> t = linspace(-pi,pi);
--> subplot(2,2,1)
--> plot(t,cos(t).*exp(-2*t));
--> subplot(2,2,2);
--> plot(t,cos(t*2).*exp(-2*t));
--> subplot(2,2,3);
--> plot(t,cos(t*3).*exp(-2*t));
--> subplot(2,2,4);
--> plot(t,cos(t*4).*exp(-2*t));

Here we use the second form of subplot to generate one subplot that is twice as large. 

--> t = linspace(-pi,pi);
--> subplot(2,2,[1,2])
--> plot(t,cos(t).*exp(-2*t));
--> subplot(2,2,3);
--> plot(t,cos(t*3).*exp(-2*t));
--> subplot(2,2,4);
--> plot(t,cos(t*4).*exp(-2*t));

Note that the subplots can contain any handle graphics objects, not only simple plots. 

--> t=0:(2*pi/100):(2*pi);
--> x=cos(t*2).*(2+sin(t*3)*.3);
--> y=sin(t*2).*(2+sin(t*3)*.3);
--> z=cos(t*3)*.3;
--> subplot(2,2,1)
--> plot(t,x);
--> subplot(2,2,2);
--> plot(t,y);
--> subplot(2,2,3);
--> plot(t,z);
--> subplot(2,2,4);
--> tubeplot(x,y,z,0.14*sin(t*5)+.29,t,10)
--> axis equal
--> view(3)
Warning: Newly defined variable xlim shadows a function of the same name.  Use clear xlim to recover access to the function
Warning: Newly defined variable ylim shadows a function of the same name.  Use clear ylim to recover access to the function
Warning: Newly defined variable zlim shadows a function of the same name.  Use clear zlim to recover access to the function