Chapter 1. Introduction

QtiPlot is a program for two- and three-dimensional graphical presentation of data sets and for data analysis. The plots can be produced from data sets stored in spreadsheets (tables) or from analytical functions (using File->New->New Function Plot menu).

The plots created from data sets and the spreadsheets owing the data are interconected. When the spreadsheets are modified, all the objects in the depending plots (curves, axes scales, legends) are automatically updated. For example, deleting a spreadsheet or only some columns will automatically remove all the corresponding curves from the depending plots.

All settings of a complete set of spreadsheets and plots can be saved in project files, having the extention ".qti". These project files may be opened using the command line, or using the File menu, or by using the "Open project" icon from the "File" toolbar.

Data analysis operations (integration, interpolation, FFT, curve fitting, etc...) can be performed on the curves in a 2D plot via the Analysis menu. The results of all these operations are also stored in the project files. They can be visualized at any moment using the View -> Results Log menu and can be deleted from the project file via the Edit -> Clear log informations menu.

When the application is launched, an empty project file is created, resulting in an empty grey main window. In order to be operational, this workspace must be populated with tables storing data sets, either by creating empty tables first (File -> New -> New Table menu) and then filling them with data, or by importing ASCII files, which automatically creates new tables.

The user can easily navigate through the objects of a project file using the project explorer or the Windows menu. The project explorer also allows the user to perform various operations on the windows (tables and plots) in the workspace: hiding, minimazing, closing, renaming, printing, etc...

By right-clicking into a window, the user opens its context menu, wich provides easy access to the most important functions of that object. Double-clicking on an object opens its properties dialog, allowing the user to customize all its settings.