legend_demo.py

"""
Demo of the legend function with a few features.

In addition to the basic legend, this demo shows a few optional features:

    * Custom legend placement.
    * A keyword argument to a drop-shadow.
    * Setting the background color.
    * Setting the font size.
    * Setting the line width.
"""
import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt


# Example data
a = np.arange(0,3, .02)
b = np.arange(0,3, .02)
c = np.exp(a)
d = c[::-1]

# Create plots with pre-defined labels.
# Alternatively, you can pass labels explicitly when calling `legend`.
fig, ax = plt.subplots()
ax.plot(a, c, 'k--', label='Model length')
ax.plot(a, d, 'k:', label='Data length')
ax.plot(a, c+d, 'k', label='Total message length')

# Now add the legend with some customizations.
legend = ax.legend(loc='upper center', shadow=True)

# The frame is matplotlib.patches.Rectangle instance surrounding the legend.
frame  = legend.get_frame()
frame.set_facecolor('0.90')

# Set the fontsize
for label in legend.get_texts():
    label.set_fontsize('large')

for label in legend.get_lines():
    label.set_linewidth(1.5)  # the legend line width
plt.show()