Adding Error Bars

Error bars are used to show uncertainty in data values. These uncertainties may be caused by measurement errors or instrument noise, and are usually specified in terms of standard deviations away from the data value.

For example, to create a 2D plot with asymmetric error bars on the X and Y axes, follow these steps:

  1. To set asymmetric error bars for X and Y with X bars initially hidden, enter:
    2. err = FLTARR(2,10) 
err[0, *] = FINDGEN(10)/10. 
err[1, *] = FLTARR(10) + 0.5
  2. Plot the error bars in the iPlot window:
    3. iPlot, FINDGEN(10), COLOR = [255, 0, 255],$ 
   ERRORBAR_COLOR = [255, 0, 0], $ 
   ERRORBAR_CAPSIZE = 0.25, X_ERRORBARS = 0, $ 
   XERROR = err, YERROR = err 
 
    

    

    
   
    Figure 14-8: 2D Plot with Error Bars
    
  
         
    

    

    2Derrorbars.gif

Also, to create a 3D plot with asymmetric error bars on the X, Y and Z axes:

  1. To set asymmetric error bars for a 3D plot, enter:
    2. nVerts = 30 
x = FINDGEN(nVerts)/10. 
y = (SIN(x*2) + 1.)*25. 
z = x 
err = FLTARR(2, nVerts) 
err[0, *] = RANDOMU(seed, nVerts) 
err[1, *] = RANDOMU(seed, nVerts)
  2. Plot the error bars in the iPlot window with 3D plot and name the plot "3D Plot with Error Bars":
    3. iPlot, x, y, z, COLOR = [0, 0, 255], $ 
   THICK = 2, ERRORBAR_COLOR = [255, 0, 0], $ 
   XERROR = err/2., YERROR = err*5., ZERROR = err, $ 
   NAME = '3D Plot with Error Bars' 
 
    

    

    
   
    Figure 14-9: 3D Plot with Error Bars and Name
    
  
         
    

    

    3Derrorbars.gif

For more information on error-bar properties, see Plot.