Plot Box Aspect Ratio

The plot box aspect ratio is the relative lengths of thex-axis,y-axis, andz-axis. By default, the plot box aspect ratio is based on the size of the figure. You can change the aspect ratio using thepbaspectfunction. Set the ratio as a three-element vector of positive values that represent the relative axis lengths.

For example, plot an elongated circle. Then set the plot box aspect ratio so that the x-axis is twice the length of they-axis andz-axis (not shown).

t = linspace(0,2*pi); plot(sin(t),2*cos(t)) gridonpbaspect([2 1 1])

Show the axes in a 3-D view to see thez-axis.

view(3)

For square axes, use[1 1 1]. This value is similar to using theaxis squarecommand.

t = linspace(0,2*pi); plot(sin(t),2*cos(t)) gridonpbaspect([1 1 1])

Data Aspect Ratio

The data aspect ratio is the relative length of the data units along thex-axis,y-axis, andz-axis. You can change the aspect ratio using thedaspectfunction. Set the ratio as a three-element vector of positive values that represent the relative lengths of data units along each axis.

For example, set the ratio so that the length from 0 to 1 along thex-axis is equal to the length from 0 to 0.5 along they-axis and 0 to 2 along thez-axis (not shown).

t = linspace(0,2*pi); plot(sin(t),2*cos(t)) gridondaspect([1 0.5 2])

Show the axes in a 3-D view to see thez-axis.

view(3)

For equal data units in all directions, use[1 1 1]. This value is similar to using theaxis equalcommand. One data unit in thexdirection is the same length as one data unit in theyandzdirections.

t = linspace(0,2*pi); plot(sin(t),2*cos(t)) gridondaspect([1 1 1])

Revert Back to Default Ratios

Change the data aspect ratio. Then revert back to the default plot box and data aspect ratios using theaxis normalcommand.

t = linspace(0,2*pi); plot(sin(t),2*cos(t)) gridondaspect([1 1 1]) axisnormal