SUMMARY
Changes the maximum size and shape of plots.
SYNTAX
VSPACE FULL|v
INPUT
FULL: Use full viewspace. This is the largest possible screen or window size. v: Force the viewspace to have a y:x aspect ratio of v. The largest possible area with this aspect ratio becomes the viewspace.
DEFAULT VALUES
VSPACE FULL
DESCRIPTION
The viewspace represents that portion of the viewing surface on which plots can be drawn. There is a large variation in viewspace shapes and sizes between different graphics devices:
- Although differing greatly in size, many graphics terminals have an aspect ratio of 0.75. Some terminals, however, have different aspect ratios. The HP 26xx family of terminals have an aspect ratio of 0.5. The Tektronix 4025 terminals can have a wide range of aspect ratios, depending upon how many lines on the screen are assigned to the alphanumeric display and how many to the graphic display.
- The SAC Graphics File (SGF) has an aspect ratio of 0.75 This is the approximate ratio of a standard sheet of 8.5 by 11 paper.
- The graphics windows created by the XWINDOWS or SUNWINDOWS device can have any aspect ratio you wish.
This variation among graphics devices can be a problem if you are need complete control over the size and shape of a plot. This command gives you control over the shape of a plot by letting you select a fixed aspect ratio. (SAC does not currently give you much control over the size.) The default is to plot to the full viewspace. If you do select a fixed aspect ratio, then the viewspace becomes the largest enclosed area on the device with that aspect ratio.
This command is useful when you are creating a figure on an interactive device using PLOTC that you eventually want to send to the SGF device. You should set the aspect ratio to 0.75 before doing any plotting. This will ensure that the figure will have the same in the SGF file as it is does on the interactive device. Another use is when you want a square viewspace independent of the graphics device. This is easily done by requesting an aspect ratio of 1.0.
LATEST REVISION
May 15, 1987 (Version 10.2)