How can I implement colormap in subplots?

Hi all, I am making a very simple figure with colormap, but, the commands I use cannot generate the uniformity of the subplots' legends. For example, I want the colormap to be jet in all the subplots, but I still can't get this result.

anyone have any idea how to get it?

clear all
clc
nametot;
output = readmatrix('graphs.xlsx','Sheet','outputimp');
cpi = readmatrix('graphs.xlsx','Sheet','cpiimp');
rin = readmatrix('graphs.xlsx','Sheet','rinimp');
tot = readmatrix('graphs.xlsx','Sheet','totimp');
name=graphsS16;
time=(1995:1/12:2021.2);
fillfcn = @(timerange,colour,lo,hi) fill([time(timerange) fliplr(time(timerange))], [ones(size(time(timerange)))*lo ones(size(time(timerange)))*hi], colour, 'FaceAlpha',0.2, 'LineWidth',0.2, 'EdgeColor', 'none');  % Function Ot Create ?fill? Regions
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
% Build colormap and shuffle
cmap = colormap(jet(size(output,2)));
cmap = cmap(randperm(length(cmap)),:)
%Set colororder and plot
ax = axes('colororder',cmap);
hold on

figure(1)
subplot(2,2,1)  
plot(time, output, 'LineWidth',2);
xlim([1994.9, 2021.3])
ylim([-.4, 0.4])
hold on
fillfcn((24:73), 'k', -.4, 0.4)
fillfcn((163:178), 'k', -.4, 0.4)
fillfcn((237:254), 'k', -.4, 0.4)
fillfcn((295:310), 'k', -.4, 0.4)
title('Output Gap','Fontsize',13)
xlabel('Time: 1995:m1 - 2021:m3','Fontsize',11)
grid minor

subplot(2,2,2)  
plot(time, cpi, 'LineWidth',2);
xlim([1994.9, 2021.3])
ylim([-1, 1.5])
hold on
fillfcn((24:73), 'k', -1, 1.5)
fillfcn((163:178), 'k', -1, 1.5)
fillfcn((237:254), 'k', -1, 1.5)
fillfcn((295:310), 'k', -1, 1.5)
title('Rate of Inflation','Fontsize',13)
xlabel('Time: 1995:m1 - 2021:m3','Fontsize',11)
grid minor

subplot(2,2,3)
plot(time, rin, 'LineWidth',2)
xlim([1994.9, 2021.3])
ylim([-1.5, 2])
hold on
fillfcn((24:73), 'k', -1.5, 2)
fillfcn((163:178), 'k', -1.5, 2)
fillfcn((237:254), 'k', -1.5, 2)
fillfcn((295:310), 'k', -1.5, 2)
title('International Reserves excluding Gold','Fontsize',13)
xlabel('Time: 1995:m1 - 2021:m3','Fontsize',11)
grid minor

subplot(2,2,4)
plot(time, tot, 'LineWidth',2);
xlim([1994.9, 2021.3])
ylim([-1.5, 1.5])
hold on
fillfcn((24:73), 'k', -1.5, 1.5)
fillfcn((163:178), 'k', -1.5, 1.5)
fillfcn((237:254), 'k', -1.5, 1.5)
fillfcn((295:310), 'k', -1.5, 1.5)
title('Term of Trade','Fontsize',12)
xlabel('Time: 1995:m1 - 2021:m3','Fontsize',11)
grid minor

legend(name, "FontName", "Times New Roman", "FontSize", 12, 'Position',[-0.02 0 0.15 0.99]);
hold off

[Scott MacKenzie]

I can't excute your code because you haven't uploaded the data. Perhaps all you need to do is move your colormap code into the subplot section for each plot:

[Martin Vallejos]

I attach the data

Answer 1

[Adam Danz]

We can't run your code even with the attached data.mat file because it does not contain all of the variables or functions in your code (e.g. nametot is missing and possibly others).

Nevertheless the problem is likely due to how you're assigning the colormap to the axes.

The problem

You are correctly assigning the colormap to the ColorOrder property of axes in this line....

ax = axes('colororder',cmap);

However, those axes are destroyed and replaced by new axes the first time you call subplot for the same figure,

subplot(2,2,1)  

The Solution

Assign the color map to every subplot axes using the template below and eliminate the ax=axes(...) lines.

ax = subplot(2,2,n); 
ax.ColorOrder = cmap;

[Martin Vallejos]

ohh yeah I didn't attach all variables, so sorry, but I tried with all the options and the result does not come out as I expect. I think I am wrong in some detail :(

I attach again the dataset.

[Adam Danz]

When I load that file a warning appears,

Warning: Could not find appropriate function on path loading function handle
/Users/macbookpro/Desktop/HSE/TESIS/figure2.m>@(timerange,colour,lo,hi)fill([time(timerange),fliplr(time(timerange))],[ones(size(time(timerange)))*lo,ones(size(time(timerange)))*hi],colour,'FaceAlpha',0.2,'LineWidth',0.2,'EdgeColor','none')

and the same variable nametot is missing. We only need the variables and any personal functions used in the code.

Actually, we don't really need anything unless the solution I mentioned isn't working for you. What does it mean "I tried with all the options"? Can you provide your updated code with the changes I suggested?

[Martin Vallejos]

nametot={"United State", "China", "India","Japan", "South Korea", "Brazil", "Germany", "United Kingdom", "Saudi Arabia", "Russia", "Canada" , "Mexico", "Norway","Indonesia","Malaysia","Ecuador"}

[Martin Vallejos]

nametot={"United State", "China", "India","Japan", "South Korea", "Brazil", "Germany", "United Kingdom", "Saudi Arabia", "Russia", "Canada" , "Mexico", "Norway","Indonesia","Malaysia","Ecuador"}

[Adam Danz]

We also don't have graphs.xlsx.

But first, please show us the updated code that implements my solution and descrive the remaining problem if there is one.

There's no need to run your code before confirming that you've implemented the solution correctly and understanding any remaining problems.

[Martin Vallejos]

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
clear all
load data
% Build colormap and shuffle
cmap = colormap(jet(size(output,2)));
cmap = cmap(randperm(length(cmap)),:);
%Set colororder and plot
ax = axes('colororder',cmap);
hold on

figure()
ax=subplot(2,2,1)
ax = axes('colororder',cmap);
plot(time, output, 'LineWidth',2);
xlim([1994.9, 2021.3])
ylim([-.4, 0.4])
hold on
fillfcn((24:73), 'k', -.4, 0.4)
fillfcn((163:178), 'k', -.4, 0.4)
fillfcn((237:254), 'k', -.4, 0.4)
fillfcn((295:310), 'k', -.4, 0.4)
title('Output Gap','Fontsize',13)
xlabel('Time: 1995:m1 - 2021:m3','Fontsize',11)
grid minor

ax=subplot(2,2,2)
ax = axes('colororder',cmap);
plot(time, cpi, 'LineWidth',2);
xlim([1994.9, 2021.3])
ylim([-1, 1.5])
hold on
fillfcn((24:73), 'k', -1, 1.5)
fillfcn((163:178), 'k', -1, 1.5)
fillfcn((237:254), 'k', -1, 1.5)
fillfcn((295:310), 'k', -1, 1.5)
title('Rate of Inflation','Fontsize',13)
xlabel('Time: 1995:m1 - 2021:m3','Fontsize',11)
grid minor

ax=subplot(2,2,3)
ax = axes('colororder',cmap);
plot(time, rin, 'LineWidth',2)
xlim([1994.9, 2021.3])
ylim([-1.5, 2])
hold on
fillfcn((24:73), 'k', -1.5, 2)
fillfcn((163:178), 'k', -1.5, 2)
fillfcn((237:254), 'k', -1.5, 2)
fillfcn((295:310), 'k', -1.5, 2)
title('International Reserves excluding Gold','Fontsize',13)
xlabel('Time: 1995:m1 - 2021:m3','Fontsize',11)
grid minor

ax=subplot(2,2,4)
ax = axes('colororder',cmap);
plot(time, tot, 'LineWidth',2);
xlim([1994.9, 2021.3])
ylim([-1.5, 1.5])
hold on
fillfcn((24:73), 'k', -1.5, 1.5)
fillfcn((163:178), 'k', -1.5, 1.5)
fillfcn((237:254), 'k', -1.5, 1.5)
fillfcn((295:310), 'k', -1.5, 1.5)
title('Term of Trade','Fontsize',12)
xlabel('Time: 1995:m1 - 2021:m3','Fontsize',11)
grid minor

legend(name, "FontName", "Times New Roman", "FontSize", 12, 'Position',[-0.02 0 0.15 0.99]);
hold off

it does not work :(

[Adam Danz]

No, this isn't what I suggested in my answer,

% your code (incorrect)
ax=subplot(2,2,1)
ax = axes('colororder',cmap);

Please look at the answer again.

The solution requires to eliminate the ax=axes(....) lines and to use the subplot output handles.

[Martin Vallejos]

problem solved :)

figure()
hold all
N = size(output,2);
colororder(hsv(N));
subplot(2,2,1)
as=plot(time,output ,'-', 'LineWidth',2);
xlim([1994.9, 2021.3]);
ylim([-.4, 0.4]);
hold on
fillfcn((24:73), 'k', -.4, 0.4);
fillfcn((163:178), 'k', -.4, 0.4);
fillfcn((237:254), 'k', -.4, 0.4);
fillfcn((295:310), 'k', -.4, 0.4);
hold off
title('Output Gap','Fontsize',13)
xlabel('Time: 1995:m1 - 2021:m3','Fontsize',11)
grid minor

subplot(2,2,2);
N = size(cpi,2);
colororder(hsv(N));
as=plot(time,cpi ,'-', 'LineWidth',2);
xlim([1994.9, 2021.3]);
ylim([-1, 1.5]);
hold on
fillfcn((24:73), 'k', -1, 1.5);
fillfcn((163:178), 'k', -1, 1.5);
fillfcn((237:254), 'k', -1, 1.5);
fillfcn((295:310), 'k', -1, 1.5);
title('Rate of Inflation','Fontsize',13);
xlabel('Time: 1995:m1 - 2021:m3','Fontsize',11);
grid minor


subplot(2,2,3);
N = size(rin,2);
colororder(hsv(N));
as=plot(time,rin,'-', 'LineWidth',2);
xlim([1994.9, 2021.3]);
ylim([-1.5, 2]);
hold on
fillfcn((24:73), 'k', -1.5, 2);
fillfcn((163:178), 'k', -1.5, 2);
fillfcn((237:254), 'k', -1.5, 2);
fillfcn((295:310), 'k', -1.5, 2);
title('International Reserves excluding Gold','Fontsize',13);
xlabel('Time: 1995:m1 - 2021:m3','Fontsize',11);
grid minor



subplot(2,2,4);
N = size(tot,2);
colororder(hsv(N));
as=plot(time,tot,'-', 'LineWidth',2);
xlim([1994.9, 2021.3]);
ylim([-1.5, 1.5]);
hold on
fillfcn((24:73), 'k', -1.5, 1.5);
fillfcn((163:178), 'k', -1.5, 1.5);
fillfcn((237:254), 'k', -1.5, 1.5);
fillfcn((295:310), 'k', -1.5, 1.5);
title('Term of Trade','Fontsize',12);
xlabel('Time: 1995:m1 - 2021:m3','Fontsize',11);
grid minor

legend(as, name, "FontName", "Times New Roman", "FontSize", 12, 'Position',[-0.02 0 0.15 0.99]);
hold off

[Adam Danz]

You're using the colororder function instead of setting colororder directly. But I don't think you understand why your initial code didn't work. As I explained in my answer, 1) when you call subplot, it removed the axes that you already created and 2) you have to set the ColorOrder property of each subplot.

Here's what you should have done to implement the solution in my answer (see the <------ arrows).

clear all
clc
nametot;
output = readmatrix('graphs.xlsx','Sheet','outputimp');
cpi = readmatrix('graphs.xlsx','Sheet','cpiimp');
rin = readmatrix('graphs.xlsx','Sheet','rinimp');
tot = readmatrix('graphs.xlsx','Sheet','totimp');
name=graphsS16;
time=(1995:1/12:2021.2);
fillfcn = @(timerange,colour,lo,hi) fill([time(timerange) fliplr(time(timerange))], [ones(size(time(timerange)))*lo ones(size(time(timerange)))*hi], colour, 'FaceAlpha',0.2, 'LineWidth',0.2, 'EdgeColor', 'none');  % Function Ot Create ?fill? Regions
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
% Build colormap and shuffle
cmap = colormap(jet(size(output,2)));
cmap = cmap(randperm(length(cmap)),:)
%Set colororder and plot
% ax = axes('colororder',cmap);    % <---------- REMOVE, it's meaningless
% hold on                          % <---------- REMOVE, it's meaningless

figure(1)
ax = subplot(2,2,1);               % <---------- add output
ax.ColorOrder = cmap;              % <---------- Set colormap
plot(time, output, 'LineWidth',2);
xlim([1994.9, 2021.3])
ylim([-.4, 0.4])
hold on
fillfcn((24:73), 'k', -.4, 0.4)
fillfcn((163:178), 'k', -.4, 0.4)
fillfcn((237:254), 'k', -.4, 0.4)
fillfcn((295:310), 'k', -.4, 0.4)
title('Output Gap','Fontsize',13)
xlabel('Time: 1995:m1 - 2021:m3','Fontsize',11)
grid minor

ax = subplot(2,2,2);                % <-------- REPEATE 
ax.ColorOrder = cmap;               % <-------- REPEATE 
plot(time, cpi, 'LineWidth',2);
xlim([1994.9, 2021.3])
ylim([-1, 1.5])
hold on
fillfcn((24:73), 'k', -1, 1.5)
fillfcn((163:178), 'k', -1, 1.5)
fillfcn((237:254), 'k', -1, 1.5)
fillfcn((295:310), 'k', -1, 1.5)
title('Rate of Inflation','Fontsize',13)
xlabel('Time: 1995:m1 - 2021:m3','Fontsize',11)
grid minor

% etc.....