Plot: Create GetDataLimits() for returning X/Y limits of all plotted data

ScottPlot Version: 4.1.26

Operating System: W10

Application Type: WinForms

Question: I need to limit zoom out. I would like that it doesn’t go beyond the AxisAuto(). I know I can implement on application side something to compute Min/Max of existing data and use SetOuterViewLimits to achieve this. However, I am wondering, wouldn’t be easier and more suited to have this functionality build in into Scottplot? It could be a flag that we can set to limit zoom out to maximum the AxisAuto() fit.

[swharden]

Hi @EFeru, thanks for posting this issue! I agree the current strategy is a bit clunky, and I’d love to figure-out a way to improve it.

Calculating min/max of existing data is actually pretty costly performance wise, so I wouldn’t want to do it automatically before each render. Instead I think the way to go is to have the user perform this task (they know best when the data may change).

What do you think about code that did something like this?

AxisLimits limits = myPlot.GetDataLimits();
myPlot.SetOuterViewLimits(limits);

Basically it’s a way to get the limits from AxisAuto() without actually resizing the window yet. What do you think about this potential solution?

[swharden]

Oh, I see more recent conversation in #1532…

Restating the problem, adding a plottable with an infinite axis (e.g., axis lines which extend to infinity) results in unexpected behavior:

ScottPlot.Plot plt = new(400, 300);
Random rand = new(0);
double[] xs = ScottPlot.DataGen.Random(rand, 10);
double[] ys = ScottPlot.DataGen.Random(rand, 10);
plt.AddScatter(xs, ys);
plt.AddVerticalLine(13); // <-- this extends to infinity in the Y direction
Console.WriteLine(plt.GetDataLimits());

AxisLimits: x=[0.2060331540210327, 13] y=[NaN, NaN]

I’ll add a comment in #1532 regarding how to best fix this