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HandyGraph 2.1 User Guide

HandyGraph is a graphing software that allows users to create and customize graphs. Key features include setting the size and scale of graphs, formatting lines and labels with custom colors and styles, plotting functions and inequalities, and exporting graphs for use in documents and web pages. The user guide provides detailed instructions on how to use the various tabs and tools to design linear, logarithmic, and other specialized graphs.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
250 views25 pages

HandyGraph 2.1 User Guide

HandyGraph is a graphing software that allows users to create and customize graphs. Key features include setting the size and scale of graphs, formatting lines and labels with custom colors and styles, plotting functions and inequalities, and exporting graphs for use in documents and web pages. The user guide provides detailed instructions on how to use the various tabs and tools to design linear, logarithmic, and other specialized graphs.
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 25

HandyGraph 2.

1 User Guide
Rev. May 21, 2009 Del Rey, Inc. www.handygraph.com

Welcome!
HandyGraph is your quick and easy graphing tool. With this software, you will be able to: create blank graphs and number lines graph functions graph inequalities plot points make graph paper, both linear and logarithmic

You can create the graph image just as you like it - with control over colors, line labels, size, and much more. Each graph can be saved in a variety of formats for quick insertion into documents and web pages. To use this guide, you can read straight through, or use the table of contents to jump to subjects of interest.

Table of Contents
Overview........................................................................................................................................................................... 4 CREATING A GRAPH (LINEAR) ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Size of the Graph Min and Max Values Scale Graphs to Get Started FORMATTING YOUR GRAPH ......................................................................................................................................... 6 Lines ................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Color Width Style Choosing Label Lines Formatting Label Lines Labels ............................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Location of Labels Pi () Fractions Decimals Font Axes ................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Arrows Hide Axes Axes Names SPECIAL GRAPH TYPES .............................................................................................................................................. 12 Number Lines................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Logarithmic Graphs ...................................................................................................................................................... 12 Graph Paper ................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Size Formatting Graph Paper Defaults Page 2

PLOTTING....................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Plot Points ...................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Point Table Connect Points Point Tool Plot Functions................................................................................................................................................................ 16 Tips for Typing Expressions Inequalities and Shading .............................................................................................................................................. 17 Plotting on Number Lines............................................................................................................................................. 18 CHANGING YOUR VIEW ............................................................................................................................................... 19 Zoom View your Graph on a Page Change Min and Max by Dragging EXPORTING YOUR GRAPH IMAGE ............................................................................................................................. 20 Save for Later Use in HandyGraph .............................................................................................................................. 20 Put the Graph Image in Another Document................................................................................................................ 20 Printing ........................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Graph Images for Web Pages....................................................................................................................................... 21 Optimizing your Graph Image ...................................................................................................................................... 21 Units: Using Pixels Width and Height Mode Image Margins Transparent Background TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS ........................................................................................................................................... 22 Licensing and Updates ................................................................................................................................................. 23 Check for Updates APPENDICES ................................................................................................................................................................. 24 Appendix A: Tools Available Appendix B: Status Bar Appendix C: System Requirements Appendix D: Key Commands for Point Table Appendix E: Functions Available for Plotting Appendix F: Credits

Page 3

Overview
HandyGraph contains 5 tabbed pages: Values, Labels, Lines, Plotting, and Plot Points. By making selections and entering data, you will create and customize your graphs. The toolbar and file menu contain additional features, which are described later.

Hints: To enter data and select options, you can use your mouse or tab through a screen. Numbers are validated and the graph is redrawn whenever you click Draw or type Enter. As your mouse hovers over various parts of the window, helpful messages appear in the status bar at the bottom (See Appendix B). To reverse a change you have made to the image, choose Undo from the toolbar.

Page 4

Creating a Graph (Linear)


When you open HandyGraph, a default graph will appear. (See instructions at bottom of this page to change the default graph). Start making a new graph by setting the size and numerical range on the Values tab.

Size of the Graph


Set the desired Width and Height for the graph, excluding labels and margins. The units are printed to the right of the box. Choices include inches, centimeters, millimeters, points, or pixels, and can be changed on the Options page. As a shortcut, double-click the units to open the Options page. If you prefer to specify the width of the entire image, including margins, and let graph size adjust accordingly, set your preference on the Options page.

Min and Max Values


Type the numerical range for your graph, by entering Min and Max for each axis. HandyGraph accepts decimals, fractions, and scientific notation.

Scale
Set the distance between grid lines, by entering Scale for each axis. When you choose a Scale, the Min and Max values automatically adjust to be multiples of scale, so the graph ends on a grid line. If Scale is typed in scientific notation or as a fraction, Min and Max will adopt the same format.

y 5

5 x

Graphs to Get Started


You can make any graph the default, to appear when HandyGraph opens. Once you create a graph you like, select or View Options, press Defaults and then select Set the currently drawn graph as default. You can change the default to a new graph or the factory default anytime you wish. Several Sample Graphs are located in the HandyGraph section of your Windows Start menu. To make a specialized graph quickly, open a sample graph, edit as you wish, and save with a new name. Page 5

Formatting your Graph


Lines
Use the Lines tab to customize your lines and axes.

Color
Choose from a selection of preset colors, or press More Colors to make your own custom color. Up to sixteen custom colors can be saved, and will be available whenever you use HandyGraph.

Width
Choose from 14 line widths (measured in points), as shown. When using pixel units, five width options are available.

Style
Graphs can be created as axes with tick marks or with a grid pattern. Select your preference from the Grid Lines Style choices.

y 5

y 5

0 x -5 -5 0 5

-5 -5

Page 6

Choosing Label Lines


Select which grid lines to label, if any, on Values tab. For example, to label every other line, select Label: every 2 lines. Frequency of labels for x and y axes are set independently.

y 6 4 2 0 -2 -4 -6 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 x

Formatting Label Lines


The lines which are labeled can be different from other gridlines if desired. To do so, uncheck Same as Grid Lines and alter Style, Color, and Width.

y 6 4 2 0 -2 -4 -6 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 x

Page 7

Labels
For a graph without numbers on the axes, uncheck Show labels on the Labels tab.
y

Location of Labels
Labels can be shifted slightly from the lines to which they correspond using the Label Alignment section of the Labels tab.
y 6 4 2 0 -2 -4 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 x

Labels will be located on the left and lower sides of the grid, when Keep outside grid is checked. By unchecking this box, you can put labels at the axes.
y 6 4 2 -6 -4 -2 0 -2 -4 -6 2 4 6 x

Page 8

Pi ()
Either axis can be labeled with , by selecting Use multiples of pi. Note that the Values tab will now show next to Min, Max, and Scale values for that axis.

y 1
1 2

0
1 2

x
2

1 0

3 2

Hint: When labeling with , only Symbol Font can be used.

Fractions
If Scale is a fraction, you may reduce fractions on all labels, or uncheck Reduce fractions to keep all fractions with the same denominator. Fractions will always be reduced to whole numbers when possible.

Decimals
For decimal labels, check Remove trailing zeroes for each label to be written in shortest form. To label each line with a certain number of zeroes, type the Scale accordingly on Values tab, and uncheck Remove trailing zeroes on Labels tab. Ex. if Scale = 1.000, all labels will be written with 3 digits after the decimal point. To label axes with scientific notation, type the scale in scientific notation. Ex. Scale = 1.0E-01

Font
Select the Font button in the Line Labels section to alter the size, color, and style of the line label numbers.

Page 9

Axes
Choose axes Color and Width in the same manner as Grid Lines.

Arrows
Select an arrow Style for axes. You can also choose to show positive and negative arrows together, only positive arrows, or no arrows at all.

Hide Axes
When Show Axes is unchecked, axes are treated just like other grid lines, and are not labeled with names.

1
1 2

0
1 2

1 0

3 2

Page 10

Axes Names
HandyGraph accepts up to 50 characters for x and y axis names. Enter text into the boxes.

cm 1
1 2

0
1 2

rad
2

3 2

You may also select Font size, color, and style for the names.

HINT: When typing a long axis name, you may need to increase the margins of your graph image for all of the text to show. Image margins are set on Options page.

Page 11

Special Graph Types


In addition to Cartesian graphs, you can create number lines and logarithmic graphs with HandyGraph. Simply select Graph Type on the Values tab. HandyGraph also provides a quick way to make graph paper. Refer to the next section.

Number Lines
Select horizontal or vertical number lines from Graph Type. Notice that when a number line is selected, you can only enter data for the appropriate axis. Number lines can be formatted just like Cartesian graphs (see instructions above). For instance, on Lines tab, you can change the Color and Width of the ticks and axis, and change the Arrows.

Logarithmic Graphs
Choose to make x, y, or both axes logarithmic by selecting the corresponding Graph Type. When a log graph is chosen, the Scale for the log axis automatically becomes base 10. For the log axis, Min and Max must be positive numbers. For any positive number entered, HandyGraph will automatically choose the closest multiple of ten which includes your typed value. Ex. If you enter Min = 0.5, HandyGraph will set Min = 0.1. Logarithmic graphs can be labeled at every power of ten by choosing cycle, or at min and max values only.
100

10

1 0

Page 12

Graph Paper
To make custom graph paper quickly, select or File New Graph Paper to open the Graph Paper window.

Size
Choose Full page or Half page graph paper, and then set your Paper Size and Margins. For other sizes, select Custom and type the number of squares desired in each direction.

Formatting
Select Grid Line Spacing, Color, and Width to customize your graph paper. If you also wish to show Accent Lines, check Show, and set Spacing, Color, and Width for accent lines. By selecting Type: Log, logarithmic graph paper can be generated as well.

Graph Paper Defaults


The graph paper window opens with the same graph each time: the graph paper default graph. This is completely separate from the primary default graph, and is used only when creating graph paper. To open with your own style of graph paper rather than the factory settings, follow these steps: In the Graph Paper window, create graph paper which you like. Press Defaults and then select Set the currently drawn graph paper as default. You can change the default to a new graph or the factory default anytime you wish.

Once you have created your graph paper, Close the Graph Paper window. The main HandyGraph window will contain all of the information about the graph. You can now view, save, and print the graph paper just like any other graph. Page 13

Plotting
Plot Points
Points can be positioned by entering the x and y coordinates, or placed directly on your graph with the mouse using the Point Tool. For either method, Show must be checked in order for the points to appear on the graph.

Note that there are 4 lists of points, enabling points of four different styles to appear on the graph simultaneously. However, only one list is editable at a time. To begin, select a point list from the dropdown at the top of the Plot Points page. Alter the point Color and Style for the active list, as desired. The changes will appear on the graph and on the point list dropdown.

Point Table
To use the table to plot points, select cells and enter the x and y coordinates. Appendix D lists helpful key commands for entering data into the tables. You may also paste lists of tab delimited values (such as from Excel), or copy data from one table into another. Points appear in the order they are entered into the table. If desired, sort the point list in order of increasing x value by clicking the x heading on the point list. Likewise, click the y heading to sort by y value.

y 5 0 -5 -5 y

x 0 5

Connect Points
Points can be plotted separately or connected with lines. To connect the points, check the Connect box. A line will be drawn between each point and the subsequent point on the list. Alter the style of the connecting line using Width and Color. To connect the last point on the list to the first point, select Close figure.

5 0 -5 -5

x 0 5

Page 14

Point Tool
Add, remove, and move points directly on your graph using the handy point tool. Simply select the point tool from the toolbar to make it active. The Point Tool is associated with the currently active list, which is the list you have selected on the plot points page.

Hint: Show must be checked for the active list in order to use the Point Tool.

Once the point tool is selected, move your mouse over the graph to see the icon, with a semi-transparent image of the active point. Left-click to insert a new point. The point will snap to the closest intersection of grid lines. This and additional uses of the point tool are listed below.

Action Add a point Remove a point Move an existing point Add a point between grid lines Remove point between grid lines Insert point after an existing point

Mouse command Left-Click Hover over the point and Right-Click Left-Click the point and Drag to desired location Hold down Control key and Left-Click (Control-Left-Click) Control-Right-Click Shift-Left-Click on existing point and Drag to location of new point

Anytime the point tool hovers on the graph, the status bar (located at the bottom of the HandyGraph window) shows its coordinates. This is useful when plotting or locating points.

For a reference to these commands while using HandyGraph, on the Plot Points page. press

Page 15

Plot Functions
HandyGraph can plot two functions simultaneously, and each can be a function of x or a function of y. To plot a function: 1. Check the box below Function 1 or Function 2. 2. Select whether you want f(x) or f(y). 3. Type an expression into the box which represents the right side of the equation. Example: f(x) = 2x 3
y 5

-5 -5

4. If desired, change the functions Color and Width.

Tips for Typing Expressions


Either capital or lower case letters can be used. Spaces between numbers or operators are ignored, so you can type the expression as it looks best to you. Many functions can be included in your expression. Each function must be followed by parentheses, such as sin(x). For best results, always enter your expressions in simplest form. For example, the function f(x) = x2/x should be simplified to f(x) = x before typing into HandyGraph. If you type an expression which HandyGraph cannot interpret, a helpful message will point you to the problem.

For a complete list of the operators and functions which HandyGraph can plot, for quick reference. see Appendix E. Or when using HandyGraph, press

Trigonometric functions can be plotted using radians or degrees, and current units are displayed on the status bar (see Appendix B). or View To change angle measurement, select Options, and select Radians or Degrees. Page 16

Inequalities and Shading


To plot either or both of your expressions as inequalities, choose from the options. In addition to setting Color and Width of the function line, you can also change the color for Shading the inequality.

When plotting two inequalities, select a color for the Intersection, or choose Automatic for HandyGraph to blend the two chosen colors.

y 5

-5 -5

To only shade the intersection of the two functions, check the box.

y 5

-5 -5

The Transparency of the inequality shading can be varied between 0% and 100%, with 0% being completely opaque. or View Options to change transparency. Select Select Behind gridlines for gridlines to appear clearly when shading, even when Transparency is set low. Page 17

Plotting on Number Lines


Points and inequalities can be plotted on number lines. For points, use the Point Tool or Point Table, as described in the Plot Points section. Only one coordinate is entered to plot the point.
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5

To plot a number line inequality: 1. Check the box below Inequality 1 or Inequality 2. 2. Choose a comparison. 3. Type a number into the box. You can also type constant expressions such as 3 2. Example: x 1

4. If desired, change the Width and Shading color of your inequality.

Inequalities on number lines will appear semi-transparent. The Transparency can be changed using the Options See Inequalities and Shading section above to change Transparency or to shade the Intersection of two window. inequalities.

Number line inequalities are represented by arrows with open and closed Circles.

To use open and closed Brackets instead, choose this on the Options window.

Page 18

Changing your view

HandyGraph toolbar

Zoom
On the toolbar, use the and buttons to magnify your image incrementally. Alternatively, type a zoom value or select one from the list. Your current zoom percentage (%) is shown on the status bar at the bottom of HandyGraph. For the graph to fill the available space, choose Fit All. In this case the zoom percentage will change as you adjust the size of the HandyGraph window. To center on a spot as you zoom in or out, select the graph where you wish to center. or tool and click on the part of the

Hint: When you open HandyGraph again, it will remember the Zoom you last used.

View your Graph on a Page


Select or File Print Preview to see your graph as it would appear on a page. To change the location of the graph on the page, choose File Page Setup.

Change Min and Max by Dragging


You can shift your graph numerically by using the Hand Tool, which is active whenever the Zoom and Point Tools are deselected. Hover over the graph to see the hand icon, then click and drag in the direction you wish to move the axes. Notice the values change but the size of the graph does not. Example: Drag mouse downward on graph.

Hint: This tool is useful if you want a better view of a plotted function. Page 19

Exporting your Graph Image


HandyGraph provides quick and powerful methods for placing your graph image in documents, web pages, and printed paper.

Save for Later Use in HandyGraph


When saved in native file format (with a .hg file extension), graphs can be opened and edited using HandyGraph. To save graphs in this format, choose or File Save. To save the graph with a new name, select File Save As

Place the Graph Image in Another Document


When your image is complete, and you are ready to put it in another application, you can: a) Copy the image and paste it into other applications for quickest transfer. or Edit Copy to copy the entire graph image (including margins) onto the clipboard. The image Select can be pasted into applications which use the clipboard, using Paste or Paste Special. b) Save it as a PNG, EMF, GIF, or BMP file for best quality. Many programs allow you to insert pictures from file, and will accept the types listed above. or File Export. . . Select Choose a file name, location and file type, then press Save.

Our recommendation for highest quality images in PowerPoint and word processing documents: Export as EMF, or Increase Resolution and then Export as PNG Note: For maximum resolution, open Options window, and set Resolution to 300 dpi.

Printing
Select or File Print to print your graph. HandyGraph automatically prints images at the printer resolution. To see what the printed graph will look like, choose File Print Preview. Use File Page Setup to set paper size, orientation, margins, and location of graph on paper.

Hint: In addition to page margins, each graph image also contains margins. Recommended minimum margin is half the width of your grid lines.

Page 20

Graph Images for Web Pages


To make an ideal graph for online viewing: 1. Select Pixel Units (as described below). This will ensure that each line is the same width when viewed on computer screens, and produce a sharp, clear image. 2. Change Width and Height Mode to Image (as described below) so you can easily set the size of the entire image. 3. When your graph is ready, Export as GIF. Select type, then press Save. or File Export. . . Choose a file name, location and file

Optimizing your Graph Image


Units: Using Pixels
Line widths and graph size can be set in pixels so that your graph looks nice on the screen. When using pixels, the width and height of your graph will automatically adjust to give you the closest size which produces evenly spaced gridlines.

Width and Height Mode


When you wish to specify a grid size, choose Graph. Image margins will be added to the Width and Height (which you type on the Values tab) to determine size of entire image. If you have a certain space to fill and want to specify size of the entire image, choose Image. In this case, the Width and Height you type on the Values tab refer to the entire image (graph + margins). In both cases, the size of entire image is shown in status bar.

Image Margins
When you want to increase or decrease margins, simply enter your desired values.

Transparent Background
You can set your background as opaque or transparent. GIF, EMF, and PNG file types support transparent backgrounds. Opaque backgrounds will appear white.

Page 21

Troubleshooting Tips
Problem Axis name gets cut off at edge of image. Solutions Increase image margins. Select View image margins. (Toolbar or menu) Options to edit

When I change line width, the lines do not appear to change. Line labels are overlapping each other

This is due to the limitations of your screen. Zoom in for a better view. (Toolbar or menu) Label fewer lines. Ex. Select every 2 or every 5 rather than every 1; (Values tab) or reduce Font size for line labels; (Labels tab) or increase Width and Height of image to put more space between labels. (Values tab)

The point tool is dim, and nothing happens when my mouse hovers over it. I do not want any axis names. How can I make them disappear? I entered a function to plot, but I do not see it on the screen.

Point tool can only be selected if the Show is checked for the currently available point list. (Plot points tab) Delete the text in the axes names boxes. (Labels tab)

If you are not sure where to expect the function, change your Min and Max values to include a wide range of numbers. Once you find the function, you can change to new Min and Max values if you wish. (Values tab) For a quick view, use the Hand tool to drag your graph to new numbers. (Toolbar)

Grid lines are cutting through the labels, making them difficult to read.

Align labels to the side of the grid line, rather than centered; (Labels tab) Or choose Keep outside grid so labels appear outside lines. (Labels tab)

For any additional problems or questions, please visit the Support section of www.handygraph.com.

Page 22

Licensing and Updates


To view your license information, select Help About HandyGraph.

If you currently have a license which expires, you can purchase a permanent license by selecting Help Buy License Now. You will be directed to the purchasing section of www.handygraph.com. After paying for the license, you will be emailed a license key. Once you receive your license key, open HandyGraph and select Help Enter License Key, and enter your Name and Key exactly as they appear in the email. Next, if prompted, enter your computers administrator account name and password to complete the license process. Thank you for licensing your copy of HandyGraph, and supporting our efforts to develop and deliver this software.

Check for Updates


Occasionally, Del Rey will release updates to HandyGraph. Minor changes to the software are generally free for licensed users. To determine whether your software is up-to-date, select Help Check for Updates. You will be connected to the HandyGraph web site, where you will be informed of any version changes and given access to download the appropriate updates.

Page 23

Appendices
Appendix A: Tools Available
The following tools can be accessed using the HandyGraph toolbar. Zoom In Tool: Zoom in and center on selected location on graph with left mouse click. Zoom Out Tool: Zoom out and center on selected location on graph with left mouse click. Point Tool: Add, remove, and move points on graph using mouse. Hand Tool: Activated when all other tools are deselected. Grab and drag graph to change min and max values.

Appendix B: Status Bar


The status bar is located at the bottom of the HandyGraph window. It contains 5 sections of information, listed here from left to right:

Helpful tips about the item at the mouse location. Coordinates of Point Tool. (The coordinates only appear when the Point Tool is selected and on the graph.) Width and Height of image, including margins. Current Zoom. Units of angle measurement: Deg or Rad

Appendix C: System Requirements


Windows 2000, XP, or Vista.

Appendix D: Key Commands for Point Table


If an entire row is selected, these key commands are active: Up Arrow selects previous row Down Arrow selects next row Home selects first row End selects last row Page Up selects row which is 1 page down Page Down selects row which is 1 page up Return starts edit of first cell in selected row Delete deletes the row and shifts all rows up Backspace same as Delete Ctrl-X cuts selected row(s) to clipboard as tab delimited data Ctrl-C copies selected row(s) to clipboard as tab delimited data Ctrl-V pastes tab delimited data from clipboard Ctrl-A selects all rows When one cell is selected, these key commands are available: Esc undoes edit to cell Tab selects next cell Shift-Tab selects previous cell Return draws graph Up Arrow selects cell in current column and previous row Down Arrow selects cell in current column and next row Ctrl-Home selects cell in current column and first row Ctrl-End selects cell in current column and last row Page 24

Appendix E: Functions Available for Plotting


The following operators are recognized: + addition subtraction * multiplication / division ^ power ( open parenthesis ) close parenthesis | absolute value bar In addition to numbers and the variable (x or y), two constants can be used: pi 3.1415926535897932 e 2.7182818284590452 All of the following functions are supported: Trigonometric: sin( ) cos( ) tan( ) sec( ) csc( ) cot( ) asin( ) acos( ) atan( ) sinh( ) cosh( ) tanh( ) sine cosine tangent secant cosecant cotangent arcsine arccosine arctangent hyperbolic sine hyperbolic cosine hyperbolic tangent Note: Parentheses must be included.

Exponential and Logarithmic: ln( ) natural logarithm log( ) base 10 logarithm exp( ) exponential Special: abs( ) sqrt( ) int( ) floor( ) ceil( ) absolute value square root greatest integer function, greatest integer x floor function, greatest integer x (same as int()). ceiling function, least integer x

Appendix F: Credits
HandyGraph is a product of Del Rey, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit http://www.handygraph.com for more information. This software uses the FreeImage open source image library. See http://freeimage.sourceforge.net for details. FreeImage is used under the FIPL, version 1.0.

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