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PolygonMarker (4.0.0) current version: 4.1.0 »

Source Notebook

Create markers carefully designed for creation of publication-quality plots

Contributed by: Alexey Popkov | AlexeyPopkov

ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"]["name"]

returns a unit area Polygon describing the shape "name".

ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][{p₁,…,p_n}]

returns a unit area Polygon with shape described by points {p₁,…,p_n} and centroid at {0,0}.

ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][shape, size]

returns shape of the specified size.

ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][shape,{size,angle}]

returns shape rotated by angle.

ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][shape, spec, style]

returns a Graphics object suitable for PlotMarkers where the style of shape is defined by style.

ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][All]

returns the list of names of predefined shapes.

Details and Options

The basic usage syntax is ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][shape,spec], where shape is the name of a predefined shape or a list of 2D coordinates describing a simple polygon, and spec can be either size or {size, angle}.

The size can be given as a number or in Scaled or Offset form.

The angle in radians determines the angle of counterclocwise rotation of shape about its centroid.

ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][shape,spec] returns a Polygon graphics primitive that can be used in Graphics.

ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][shape,spec,style], where style is a list of graphics directives applied to shape, returns a Graphics object which can be used as a marker for PlotMarkers.

ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][shape,spec,style,options] returns a Graphics object with options applied.

The centroid of Polygon generated by ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"] is always placed at {0,0} in the internal coordinate system of Graphics.

ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][shape,spec,positions], where positions is a list of 2D coordinates, evaluates to Translate[ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][shape,spec],positions]. It represents a collection of multiple identical copies of shape with centroids placed at positions.

With an Offset size specification, the plot marker has a fixed size specified in printer's points, independent of ImageSize.

ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][shape,size] returns a Polygon with area size² in the internal coordinate system of Graphics. ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][shape,Offset[size]] returns a Polygon with area size² square printer’s points. The area taken by the boundary of the returned Polygon isn’t taken into account.

ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][All] and ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][] both return the complete list of names of predefined shapes.

Examples

Basic Examples (5)

Create a polygon object of "TripleCross" type:

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The centroid of the polygon is placed at {0,0}:

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Visualize the polygon and its centroid:

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Get the complete list of built-in named shapes:

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Make a Grid of Buttons with the shapes for easy selection:

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$Grid[{allShapes[[;; 11]], allShapes[[12 ;; 17]], allShapes[[18 ;; 26]], allShapes[[27 ;; 32]], allShapes[[33 ;; 38]], allShapes[[39 ;;]]} /. shape_String :> Button[Tooltip[ ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][shape, Offset[13], {FaceForm[RandomColor[ColorSpace -> LUVColor]], EdgeForm[{Black, Thickness[0.005], JoinForm["Miter"]}]}], Row[{"\"", Style[shape, Bold], "\"", " (click to copy the name)"}]], CopyToClipboard@ToString[shape, InputForm], ImageSize -> {40, 40}, FrameMargins -> False]]$

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Filled markers that pick up PlotStyle and PlotTheme automatically:

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ListPlot[Table[Accumulate@RandomReal[1, 10] + i, {i, 6}], PlotMarkers -> fm /@ {"Triangle", "Y", "Diamond", "ThreePointedStar", "FivePointedStarSlim", "TripleCross"}, Joined -> True, PlotStyle -> ColorData[52, "ColorList"], PlotLegends -> PointLegend[Automatic, LegendMarkerSize -> {50, 37}, LegendLayout -> (Column[Row /@ #, Spacings -> -1] &)], ImageSize -> 450]

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ListPlot[Table[Accumulate@RandomReal[1, 10] + i, {i, 6}], PlotMarkers -> fm /@ {"Triangle", "LeftTriangle", "Diamond", "ThreePointedStar", "UpTriangleTruncated", "Square"}, PlotTheme -> "Marketing", PlotLegends -> PointLegend[Automatic, LegendMarkerSize -> {50, 35}, LegendLayout -> (Column[Row /@ #, Spacings -> -1] &)], ImageSize -> 450]

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Empty markers that pick up PlotStyle and PlotTheme automatically:

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$em[name_String, size_ : 7] := ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][name, Offset[size], {Dynamic@ EdgeForm@ Directive[CurrentValue["Color"], JoinForm["Round"], AbsoluteThickness[2], Opacity[1]], FaceForm[White]}, ImagePadding -> 6];$

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ListPlot[Table[Accumulate@RandomReal[1, 10] + i, {i, 3}], PlotMarkers -> em /@ {"Triangle", "Square", "Diamond"}, Joined -> True, PlotLegends -> PointLegend[Automatic, LegendMarkerSize -> {40, 25}], ImageSize -> 450]

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Filled markers with lighter filling colors:

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$fm2[name_String, size_ : 9] := ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][name, Offset@size, { Dynamic@EdgeForm[{CurrentValue["Color"], Opacity[1]}], Dynamic@FaceForm@Lighter[CurrentValue["Color"], 0.75]}]; data = Table[{x, BesselJ[k, x]}, {k, 0, 2}, {x, 0, 10, 0.5}]; ListPlot[data, PlotMarkers -> fm2 /@ {"UpTriangle", "Square", "Circle"}, Joined -> True, Frame -> True, Axes -> False, ImageSize -> 450, PlotRangePadding -> {Scaled[.05], Scaled[.1]}]$

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Scope (3)

Use the third argument of PolygonMarker to specify the coordinate(s) where the marker should be placed:

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(* Evaluate this cell to get the example input *) CloudGet["https://www.wolframcloud.com/obj/7b5fc39f-1fe8-4961-86e4-5cfafd699ee0"]

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Construct a list plot directly from graphics primitives:

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data = Table[{x, BesselJ[k, x]}, {k, 0, 3}, {x, 0, 10, 0.5}];
markers = {"Circle", "ThreePointedStar", "FourPointedStar", "FivePointedStar"};
colors = {Blue, Red, Darker@Green, Darker@Yellow};
Graphics[Table[{colors[[i]], Line[data[[i]]], FaceForm[White], EdgeForm[{colors[[i]], AbsoluteThickness[1], JoinForm["Miter"]}], ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][markers[[i]], Offset[7], data[[i]]]}, {i, Length[data]}], AspectRatio -> 1/2, ImageSize -> 450, Frame -> True]

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Construct a custom list plot where open plot markers have transparent faces for each other (but not for the lines):

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data = Table[{x, BesselJ[k, x]}, {k, 0, 4}, {x, 0, 10, 0.5}];
markers = {"Circle", "ThreePointedStar", "FourPointedStar", "DiagonalFourPointedStar", "FivePointedStar"};
colors = {Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Orange};
background = Darker@Gray;
Graphics[{Table[{colors[[i]], AbsoluteThickness[1.5], Line[data[[i]]],
FaceForm[background], EdgeForm[None], ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][markers[[i]], Offset[7], data[[i]]]}, {i, Length[data]}], Table[{FaceForm[None], EdgeForm[{colors[[i]], AbsoluteThickness[1.5], JoinForm["Miter"]}], ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][markers[[i]], Offset[7], data[[i]]]}, {i, Length[data]}]}, AspectRatio -> 1/2, ImageSize -> 500, Frame -> True, Background -> background, FrameStyle -> White, ImagePadding -> {{30, 20}, {25, 20}}]

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Neat Examples (5)

Center markers that pick up PlotStyle and PlotTheme automatically:

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$cfm[name_String, size_ : 9] := Show[ ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][name, Offset@size, { FaceForm[White], Dynamic@ EdgeForm[{CurrentValue["Color"], AbsoluteThickness[1], Opacity[1]}]}], ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][name, Offset[size/2], EdgeForm[None]]]; data = Table[{x, BesselJ[k, x]}, {k, 0, 2}, {x, 0, 10, 0.5}]; ListPlot[data, PlotMarkers -> cfm /@ {"UpTriangle", "Square", "Circle"}, Joined -> True, Frame -> True, Axes -> False, ImageSize -> 450, PlotRangePadding -> {Scaled[.05], Scaled[.1]}, PlotLegends -> PointLegend[Automatic, LegendMarkerSize -> {40, 30}], ImageSize -> 450]$

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Half-filled markers that pick up PlotStyle and PlotTheme automatically:

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$hfm1[name_String, size_ : 9] := Show[ ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][name, Offset@size, { FaceForm[White], Dynamic@ EdgeForm[{CurrentValue["Color"], AbsoluteThickness[1], Opacity[1]}]}], ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][name, Offset@size, EdgeForm[None]] /. {x_?Negative, y_?NumericQ} :> {0, y}]; data = Table[{x, BesselJ[k, x]}, {k, 0, 2}, {x, 0, 10, 0.5}]; ListPlot[data, PlotMarkers -> hfm1 /@ {"UpTriangle", "Square", "Circle"}, Joined -> True, Frame -> True, Axes -> False, ImageSize -> 450, PlotRangePadding -> {Scaled[.05], Scaled[.1]}, PlotLegends -> PointLegend[Automatic, LegendMarkerSize -> {40, 30}], ImageSize -> 450]$

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$hfm2[name_String, size_ : 9] := Show[ ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][name, Offset@size, { FaceForm[White], Dynamic@ EdgeForm[{CurrentValue["Color"], AbsoluteThickness[1], Opacity[1]}]}], Graphics[{EdgeForm[None], Replace[RegionDifference[ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][name], Rectangle[{-10, -10}, {10, 0}]], p : {x_, y_} :> Offset[size p, {0, 0}], {-2}]}]]; data = Table[{x, BesselJ[k, x]}, {k, 0, 3}, {x, 0, 10, 0.5}]; ListPlot[data, PlotMarkers -> hfm2 /@ {"Diamond", "Square", "Circle", "RightTriangle"}, Joined -> True, Frame -> True, Axes -> False, ImageSize -> 450, PlotRangePadding -> {Scaled[.05], Scaled[.1]}, PlotLegends -> PointLegend[Automatic, LegendMarkerSize -> {40, 30}], ImageSize -> 450]$

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$hfm3[name_String, size_ : 9] := Show[ ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][name, Offset@size, { FaceForm[White], Dynamic@ EdgeForm[{CurrentValue["Color"], AbsoluteThickness[1], Opacity[1]}]}], Graphics[{EdgeForm[None], Replace[RegionDifference[ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][name], Triangle[{{-10, -10}, {10, 10}, {10, -10}}]], p : {x_, y_} :> Offset[size p, {0, 0}], {-2}]}]]; data = Table[{x, BesselJ[k, x]}, {k, 0, 3}, {x, 0, 10, 0.5}]; ListPlot[data, PlotMarkers -> hfm3 /@ {"Diamond", "Square", "Circle", "DiagonalFourPointedStar"}, Joined -> True, Frame -> True, Axes -> False, ImageSize -> 450, PlotRangePadding -> {Scaled[.05], Scaled[.1]}, PlotLegends -> PointLegend[Automatic, LegendMarkerSize -> {40, 38}], ImageSize -> 450]$

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Contrast markers that pick up PlotStyle and PlotTheme automatically:

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$cfm1[name_String, size_ : 9] := Show[ ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][name, Offset@size, { FaceForm[White], Dynamic@ EdgeForm[{CurrentValue["Color"], AbsoluteThickness[1], Opacity[1]}]}], Graphics[{EdgeForm[None], Replace[RegionDifference[ RegionDifference[ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][name], Rectangle[{0, 0}, {10, 10}]], Rectangle[{0, 0}, {-10, -10}]], p : {x_, y_} :> Offset[size p, {0, 0}], {-2}]}]]; data = Table[{x, BesselJ[k, x]}, {k, 0, 3}, {x, 0, 10, 0.5}]; ListPlot[data, PlotMarkers -> cfm1 /@ {"Diamond", "Square", "Circle", "FourPointedStar"}, Joined -> True, Frame -> True, Axes -> False, ImageSize -> 450, PlotRangePadding -> {Scaled[.05], Scaled[.1]}, PlotLegends -> PointLegend[Automatic, LegendMarkerSize -> {40, 38}], ImageSize -> 450]$

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$cfm2[name_String, size_ : 9] := Show[ ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][name, Offset@size, { FaceForm[White], Dynamic@ EdgeForm[{CurrentValue["Color"], AbsoluteThickness[1], Opacity[1]}]}], Graphics[{EdgeForm[None], Replace[RegionDifference[ RegionDifference[ResourceFunction["PolygonMarker"][name], Triangle[{{-10, 10}, {10, 10}, {0, 0}}]], Triangle[{{-10, -10}, {10, -10}, {0, 0}}]], p : {x_, y_} :> Offset[size p, {0, 0}], {-2}]}]]; data = Table[{x, BesselJ[k, x]}, {k, 0, 3}, {x, 0, 10, 0.5}]; ListPlot[data, PlotMarkers -> cfm2 /@ {"Diamond", "Square", "Circle", "DiagonalFourPointedStar"}, Joined -> True, Frame -> True, Axes -> False, ImageSize -> 450, PlotRangePadding -> {Scaled[.05], Scaled[.1]}, PlotLegends -> PointLegend[Automatic, LegendMarkerSize -> {40, 30}], ImageSize -> 450]$

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Create an auxiliary function that (approximately) converts a simple glyph into a set of points suitable for PolygonMarker:

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$pts[l_String] := First[Cases[ ImportString[ ExportString[Style[l, FontFamily -> "Verdana", FontSize -> 20], "PDF"], If[$VersionNumber >= 12.2, {"PDF", "PageGraphics"}, {"PDF", "Pages"}]], c_FilledCurve :> c[[2, 1]], Infinity]];$

Show a set of markers in use, including some created from glyphs:

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(* Evaluate this cell to get the example input *) CloudGet["https://www.wolframcloud.com/obj/de10f0e3-b786-47a4-935d-d348838da080"]

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Black-and-white plot, where the markers overlap considerably:

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(* Evaluate this cell to get the example input *) CloudGet["https://www.wolframcloud.com/obj/95e4c2e0-e0a8-487a-a62c-24ae3af4658f"]

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Use the resource functions RoundedPolygon and NotchedPolygon to make markers:

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(* Evaluate this cell to get the example input *) CloudGet["https://www.wolframcloud.com/obj/2a61e0d6-4905-4032-8c8e-2e3af25edf09"]

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Version History

4.1.0 – 08 July 2022
4.0.1 – 28 February 2022
4.0.0 – 31 January 2022
3.0.1 – 16 August 2021

Source Metadata

Citation:
- PolygonMarker. Plot markers carefully designed for creation of publication-quality plots. / Alexey Popkov // Wolfram Function Repository (2021) [Electronic resource.] – URL: PolygonMarker | Wolfram Function Repository.
- PolygonPlotMarkers. Polygon-based plot markers for Wolfram Mathematica. / Alexey Popkov // GitHub (2021) [Electronic resource.] – URL: GitHub - AlexeyPopkov/PolygonPlotMarkers: Plot markers for Wolfram Mathematica.
- Cleveland, W.S. 1985. The Elements of Graphing Data. Wadsworth, Monterey, CA, USA.

Related Resources

Author Notes

The original (author’s) version of the package which contains all the general-purpose functions used to generate the shapes can be found at https://github.com/AlexeyPopkov/PolygonPlotMarkers.

License Information

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License