Python Pool: How to Clear Plot in Matplotlib Using clear() Method

Hello programmers, in today’s article, we will discuss Matplotlib clear plot in python. Matplotlib is a library in Python, which is a numerical – mathematical extension for NumPy library. The figure module of the Matplotlib library provides the top-level Artist, the Figure, which contains all the plot elements. The figure module is used to control the subplots’ default spacing and top-level container for all plot elements. The Axes Class contains the figure elements: Axis, Tick, Line2D, Text, Polygon, etc., and sets the coordinate system. The instances of Axes supports callbacks through a callbacks attribute. The Axes.clear() in the axes module of the matplotlib library is used to clear the axes. Thus, the Matplotlib figure.clear() and axes.clear() is used to clear figure and axes, respectively. Here are the syntax and parameters of the Matplotlib clear plot function.

Syntax of Matplotlib clear plot in Python

clear(self, keep_observers=False)

Parameter

The axis.clear() function accepts no parameters.
The ‘keep_observers’ parameter in figure.clear() function is a boolean value.

Return type

The clear() function does not return any value. It is used in python programs to clear plots.

Example of Matplotlib Figure clear plot

import numpy as np 
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt 
      
fig, ax = plt.subplots() 
  
ax.set_xlabel('x-axis') 
ax.set_ylabel('y-axis') 
  
ax.plot([1, 2, 3]) 
ax.grid(True) 
  
fig.clear(True) 
   
fig.suptitle('matplotlib.figure.Figure.clear() \ 
function Example\n\n', fontweight ="bold") 
  
plt.show() 

Output:

Explanation:

In the above example, we first create a plot as per data values given as input. The xlabel is set as ‘x-axis,’ and the ylabel is set as ‘y-axis.’ The title of the figure is also mentioned as ‘matplotlib.figure.Figure.clear() function Example’. The gridlines are also plotted for the figure by setting ax.grid(True). But before the plt.show() statement that shows the plotted figure, we use the fig.clear() function. The fig.clear() function clears the figure plot when ‘True’ is passed as an argument. Thus, in this example, since fig.clear(True) is implemented before the plt.show(), the output is given such that the entire current figure is cleared except the figure title.

Example of Matplotlib Axis clear plot

import numpy as np 
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt 
     
t = np.linspace(0.0, 2.0, 201) 
s = np.sin(2 * np.pi * t) 
  
fig, [ax, ax1] = plt.subplots(2, 1, sharex = True) 
  
ax.set_ylabel('y-axis') 
ax.plot(t, s) 
ax.grid(True) 
ax.set_title('matplotlib.axes.Axes.clear() Example\n\n Sample Example', 
             fontsize = 12, fontweight ='bold') 
  
ax1.set_ylabel('y-axis') 
ax1.plot(t, s) 
ax1.grid(True) 
ax1.clear() 
ax1.set_title('Above example with clear() \ 
function', fontsize = 12, fontweight ='bold') 
plt.show() 

Output:

Explanation:

In the above example, the two plots ‘ax’ and ‘ax1’ are created. The ylabel of figure 1 is set as ‘y-axis.’ The Matplotlib grid() is also set as ‘True,’ which returns grid lines for the figure. Also, the title of the figure is mentioned. But, we do not use the Matplotlib clear() function with the ‘ax’ plot. For the second figure, we plot it as per the given input values. But since the ax2.clear() is used, the current ‘ax2’ figure plot is cleared except for its title. Finally, when the plt.show() statement is implemented, it gives the ‘ax’ figure and clears the ‘ax2’ figure with just its title.

Must Read

• How to Clear Python Shell in the Most Effective Way
• Matplotlib Savefig() For Different Parameters in Python
• Numpy Axis in Python With Detailed Examples

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed ways of Matplotlib clear plot in Python. The clear() function can be used as axes.clear() or figure.clear() which clears the axes and figure of the plot, respectively. We have discussed both axes clearly and figure clear with examples and explanations. The Matplotlib cla() function can be used as axes.clear() function. Similarly, the clf() function can be used for figure clear. Both cla() and clf() is used for clearing plot in Matplotlib.

However, if you have any doubts or questions, do let me know in the comment section below. I will try to help you as soon as possible.

Happy Pythoning!

The post How to Clear Plot in Matplotlib Using clear() Method appeared first on Python Pool.

from Planet Python
via read more