Show decimal places and scientific notation on the axis

[zxdawn]

Description

When the number is large, matplotlib will use e notation automatically. But, we usually use x10^{} in science paper.

Steps to reproduce

import proplot as plot
import numpy as np

state = np.random.RandomState(51423)
fig, axs = plot.subplots()
axs.format(ylim=(0, 5e10), ylocator=2e10)

Expected behavior:

Actual behavior:

Equivalent steps in matplotlib

import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import matplotlib.ticker as mticker

fig, ax = plt.subplots()
x = np.linspace(0, 5e10, 4)
# y = x**2
ax.plot(x)

f = mticker.ScalarFormatter(useOffset=False, useMathText=True)
g = lambda x,pos : "${}$".format(f._formatSciNotation('%1.10e' % x))
plt.gca().yaxis.set_major_formatter(mticker.FuncFormatter(g))

Proplot version

0.5.0

[lukelbd]

Neat idea! Yeah I agree your first example is way better. Will look into adding it to proplot's AutoFormatter (which is a subclass of ScalarFormatter)

[zxdawn]

BTW, you can find the detailed function of supporting custom digits on stackoverflow.

[lukelbd]

I've added this feature, just need to submit a PR. Actually did two things:

(1) The new AutoFormatter always formats the exponent with math text, resulting in the following behavior (which is a step in the right direction):

(2) There is a new SciFormatter based on the stackoverflow link you posted (that poster is actually a core matplotlib developer). Results in the following behavior (the trailing zero-trimming behavior can be optionally disabled):

import proplot as plot
fig, ax = plot.subplots()
ax.format(xlim=(-5, 5), ylim=(0, 1e20), yformatter='sci')

[zxdawn]

Thanks Luke! It works well.

Looking forward to the new version 0.6 ;)

[lukelbd]

Newest version is officially out :D

[zxdawn]

Wow, thanks! Totally switching to proplot now :D