Chapter 6.

Graphics Menu
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Present Data Plot Command

Use this command to plot the currently active data.

Use this command to zoom out the plot.
You can rescale the X and Y axis by moving the mouse cursor to the axis and see
the cursor change to ↔ (X axis) or ¦ (Y axis). You can then hold down the left mouse
button and drag the mouse. When you release the mouse button, the axis will be rescaled.
It provides a convenient way to zoom out further than the default scale. It can be
particularly useful when plots are overlaid if some of the files have a higher range than the
default range.
If you double click the axis, an Axis Options dialog will be brought up:

You can change the axis settings. Please see also Graph Options, Color and Font
descriptions. The unique selections here are Axis Label Expression, Long Divisions and
Short Ticks. If you choose Scientific Expression, the axis label is in floating format. For
instance, one microampere will be expressed as 1e-6A. If you choose Engineering
Expression, one microampere will be expressed as 1 µA. However, if you use Oriental
Windows versions (such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean), the “micro” symbol will not
appear properly, you need to set Windows by using the System command under the Setup
menu. The “micro” symbol will then be expresses as “u”. The Long Divisions and Short
Ticks will allow you to customize the ticks. You should freeze the axis scale when you try
to use manual setting of ticks.

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You can also enter text into the data field by double clicking. An Insert Text dialog
box will be brought up:

You can enter the text you want to display in the “Text” field. You can erase the
text field by clicking the Erase button. You can change the X and Y position of the text.
The X and Y position is the position of the mouse button before you bring up the dialog
box by double-clicking. This will also be the position of the upper-left corner of the first
letter. You can rotate the letter to any angle between 0 and 360 degrees by 1-degree
increments. You can change the font of the inserted text. The font is a global setting. It
affects all inserted text displayed. If you uncheck Text Display Enabled, the text you enter
will remain, but will not be displayed.
You can alter the existing text, its position or rotation angle, or simply erase it. You
need to move the mouse close to the upper-left corner of the first letter of the text. Double-
clicking that location will select the existing text. You can change the setting. If you clear
the Text field, the existing text will be gone when you exit the dialog box.
The entered text will also be saved with the data when you save the data file.
Depending on the techniques, the data can be displayed in various formats:

Technique Data Display Formats

CV sweep segment
TAFEL log current ~ potential
current ~ potential
current density ~ potential
CA i~t
i ~ t -1/2
CC Q~t
Q ~ t1/2
SWV forward current
reverse current
forward and reverse current
difference of forward and reverse current
sum of forward and reverse current
forward, reverse, and summation current
forward, reverse, and difference current

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ACV absolute current

phase selective current
resistance
capacitance
PSACV absolute current
phase selective current
resistance
capacitance
BE charge ~ time
current ~ time
current ~ log (time)
IMP Bode: log Z ~ log (freq)
Bode: phase ~ log (freq)
Bode: log Z” & Z’ ~ log (freq)
Bode: log Y ~ log (freq)
Nyquist: Z” ~ Z’
Admittance: Y” ~ Y’
Warburg: Z” & Z’ ~ w -1/2
Z’ ~ w Z”
Z’ ~ Z”/w
cot (phase) ~ w1/2
IMP-t or IMP-E log Z ~ t or E
phase ~ t or E
Z ~ t or E
Z' ~ t or E
Z" ~ t or E
Z' & Z" ~ t or E
log (Z' & Z") ~ t or E
log Y ~ t or E
Y ~ t or E
Y' ~ t or E
Y" ~ t or E
Y' & Y" ~ t or E
log (Y' & Y") ~ t or E
IMP-E Rs ~ E
Cs ~ E
Rp ~ E
Cp ~ E
1 / (Cs×Cs) ~ E (Mott-Schottky)
1 / (Cp×Cp) ~ E (Mott-Schottky)
CP, PSA potential ~ time
dE/dt ~ time
dt/dE ~ potential
Potential ~ charge

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To select the data display format, the Graph Option command should be invoked.
When the data is saved to the disk, the display format is also saved. When the data
is retrieved, it will be displayed just like before it is saved. This is also true for Overlay
Plots, Parallel Plots, and Print Multiple Files.
The Graph Option, Color and Legend, and Font commands allow you customize
your data plot.
This command is disabled if there is no currently active data.

This command has a toolbar button:

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Overlay Plots Command

Use this command to plot multiple sets of data in a single plot. This is particularly
useful for data comparison. The color and legend will be displayed together with the
corresponding filenames. You can select the data files you want to plot along with the
currently active data. Multiple files can be selected. To select multiple files, point the
mouse cursor to the filename you want to select and click the left mouse button one at a
time, while holding the Ctrl key.
This command will allow you select multiple files in the same directory. In order to
overlay data in the different directory or disks, use the Add Data to Overlay command.
This command presents an Overlay Data Display dialog box:

The plot will be scaled according to the currently active data. This command does
not check the type of data. If both X and Y values fall into the plot scale, the data point
will be plotted.
The Graph Option, Color and Legend, and Font commands allow you customize
your data plot. The color and legend of each traces can be specified by Color and Legend
command.
This command is disabled if there is no currently active data.

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Add Data to Overlay Command

This command is complementary to the Overlay Plots command. It allows you to

add more data to the overlay plots without reselecting all the files. It also allows you to
overlay data from different directories or from floppy disks. Multiple files can be selected.
To select multiple files, point the mouse cursor at the filename you want to select and click
the left mouse button one at a time, while holding the Ctrl key.
This command presents an Add Data to Overlay dialog box:

The plot will be scaled according to the currently active data. This command does
not check the type of data. If both X and Y values fall into the plot scale, the data point
will be plotted.
The Graph Option, Color and Legend, and Font commands allow you customize
your data plot. The color and legend of each trace can be specified by Color and Legend
command.
This command is disabled if there is no currently active data. This command is also
disabled unless the current plot is an overlay plots.

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Parallel Plots Command

Use this command to plot multiple sets of data in a parallel mode. This is
particularly useful to view data obtained with different techniques and for data
comparison. You can select the data files you want to plot along with the currently active
data. Multiple files can be selected. To select multiple files, point the mouse cursor to the
filename you want to select and click the left mouse button one at a time, while holding the
Ctrl key.
This command will allow you to select multiple files in the same directory. In order
to parallel plot data from a different directory or from a floppy disk, use the Add Data to
Parallel command.
This command presents a Parallel Data Display dialog box:

Each plot will be automatically scaled according to each data set read from the
disk, unless the scale is frozen. In the latter case, all the plots will have the same frozen
scale. To freeze the scale, use the Graph Option command.
The Graph Option, Color and Legend, and Font commands allow you customize
your data plot.
This command is disabled if there is no currently active data.

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Add Data to Parallel Command

This command is complementary to the Parallel Plots command. It allows you to

add more data to the parallel plots without reselecting all the files. It also allows you to
parallel plot data from different directories or floppy disks and control the sequence of the
data in the plot. Multiple files can be selected. To select multiple files, point the mouse
cursor to the filename you want to select and click the left mouse button one at a time,
while holding the Ctrl key.
This command presents an Add Data to Parallel Plot dialog box:

The plot will be scaled according to the currently active data. This command does
not check the type of data. If both X and Y values fall into the plot scale, the data point
will be plotted.
The Graph Option, Color and Legend, and Font commands allow you customize
your data plot.
This command is disabled if there is no currently active daya. This command is
also disabled unless the current plot is a parallel plots.

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Zoom In Command

Use this command to zoom in the data plot.

This is a toggle switch. A check mark appears next to the menu item when the
zoom in function is enabled. The Zoom In toolbar button will be pressed in. When you
move the mouse cursor in the data plot area, an upper arrow cursor appears.
To zoom in, press the mouse button at one corner, drag it to the diagonal corner of
the area you want to have a closer view at and release the mouse button.
To zoom out click the Zoom In command again. This also disables the zoom
function.

This command has a toolbar button:

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Manual Result Command

Use this command to report peaks or wave potentials, currents and area manually.
You can determine the baseline for a peak or wave visually.
This is a toggle switch. A check mark appears next to the menu item when the
manual result function is enabled. The Manual Result toolbar button will be pressed in.
When you move the mouse cursor in the data plot area, an upper arrow cursor appears.
In order to report a peak or wave correctly, you have to define the peak shape with
the Peak Definition command. The peak shape can be Gaussian, diffusive, or sygmoidal.
You can also determine if you want to report peak (or wave) potential, half peak (or wave)
potential, peak (or wave) currents or peak area.
For a Gaussian peak, the baseline is determined by two points at each sides of the
peak. Press the mouse button at one point, drag it and release it at the other point. A
vertical line that connects the peak and the baseline will appear. The numerical report is
shown at the right side of the plot.
For a diffusive peak, the baseline is determined by extending the foot before the
peak. To determine the baseline, press the mouse button at the foot, drag it and release it
after passing the peak potential. A vertical line that connects the peak and the baseline will
appear. The numerical report is shown at the right side of the plot. Notice that when peak
area is reported, it is the half peak area.
For a sygmoidal wave, two baselines are needed. One is at the foot of the wave and
the other is at the plateau of the wave. To determine the baselines, press the mouse button,
drag it and release it. A vertical line that connects two baselines and crosses the middle of
the wave will appear. The numerical report is shown at the right side of the plot.
The following is a typical result from manual peak search:

This command has a toolbar button:

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Peak Definition Command

Use this command to define the peak shape ( Gaussian, diffusive, or sygmoidal).
You can also determine if you want to report peak (or wave) potential, half peak (or wave)
potential, peak (or wave) currents or peak area.
The peak definition is used for both automatic and manual result reports.
This command presents a Peak Definition dialog box:

The following options allow you to define the peak shape and determine what
parameters need to be reported:
Peak Shape
You can select the peak shape according to the property of your data. The peak
shape can be Gaussian, diffusive or sygmoidal. The peak shape is assumed from the
electrochemical technique. Each time you change the technique, a default value is assigned
to the peak shape. However, you can change this setting.
Report Option
You can determine if you want to report peak (or wave) potential, half peak (or
wave) potential, peak (or wave) currents or peak area.
Peak or Wave Search Potential Range
Depending on the peak shape, the peak search potential range can be adjusted. For
a broader peak or wave, the search potential range should be larger, and vice versa. The
search potential range includes both sides of the peak or wave.
This parameter is only meaningful for automatic result report.
For cyclic voltammetry data, select the segment by the Graph Options command
under the Graphics menu.

This command has a toolbar button:

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XY Plot Command

Use this command to make an X-Y plot of your own data. You can also do linear
curve fitting to the data.
After you edit the data, click the OK button to do the plot. The X-Y plot is
temporary and it disappears if other data display commands are invoked. However you can
use Graph Option, Color and Legend and Font commands to customize your plot.
The command presents the X-Y Plot dialog box:

The following options allow you to edit data and enter plot options:
XY Data Array Editor
Enter your own X Y data points. Use comma or space as separator. Each pair of
data occupies one line:
x1, y1
x2, y2
x3, y3
......
Read
Use this command to read the data you saved.
Save

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Use this command to save your data. XY titles, units, header and note will be saved
along with the data.
Overlay Plot
Use this command to overlay several data plots. If you want to have both symbols
and lines to connect symbols, save you data with two different names and select proper
legends by using Color and Legend command. To freeze the scale, use the Graph Option
command.
The system displays the Overlay Data Display dialog box so you can select the data
files you want to plot along with the data in the XY Data Array Editor. Multiple files can
be selected.
The plot will be scaled according to the data in the XY Data Array Editor. If both X
and Y values fall into the plot scale, the data point will be plotted.
Parallel Plot
Use this command to plot multiple sets of data in a parallel mode.
The system displays the Parallel Data Display dialog box so you can select the data
files you want to plot along with the data in the XY Data Array Editor. Multiple files can
be selected.
Each plot will be automatically scaled according to each data set read from the
disk, unless the scale is frozen. In the latter case, all the plots will have the same frozen
scale. To freeze the scale, use the Graph Option command.
Plot
Use this command to plot the XY Data Array Editor.
The plot will be automatically scaled according to the data range. To freeze the
scale, use the Graph Option command.
XY Title
Enter the X and Y titles.
Unit
Enter the unit or dimension of the customized X and Y axis titles.
Header
This is the header text editor box. Enter your header here. To display the header on
top of the plot, check the Header box using the Graph Option command.
Note
This is the note text editor box. Enter your note here. The note is not displayed on
the plot, but will be saved in the data file. It allows you to put more comments about the
data and remind you later about the purpose and the conditions of the experiment.
Linear Curve Fitting
Checking this box will allow the data to be fit linearly by the least square method.
A best fit straight line will also appear on the plot.

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Peak Parameter Plot Command

Use this command to plot the peak current versus scan rate, peak current versus
square root of the scan rate, or peak potential versus the logarithm of the scan rate. For a
reversible surface reaction, the peak current is proportional to the scan rate. For a
reversible diffusive system, the peak current is proportional to the square root of the scan
rate. The peak potential should be independent to the scan rate for a reversible reaction. A
shift of peak potential as a function of scan rate indicates either slow kinetics or chemical
complexity.
You can also do linear curve fitting of the data.
This command works only for cyclic voltammetric or linear sweep voltammetric
data. For CV data, the system only searches for the currently active data segment.
After you set the potential window for peak and select the proper files, click the
OK button to display the plot. The X-Y plot is temporary and it disappears if other data
display commands are invoked. However you can use Graph Option, Color and Legend,
and Font commands to customize your plot.
The system displays the Peak Parameter vs. Scan Rate Plot dialog box:

The following options allow you to set the potential window for peak and select
data files:
Peak Potential Window
Enter the possible peak potential range. The system only searches for peaks in the
specified potential range. Once the first peak in this potential range is found, it will be used
for plotting.
Type of Plot
You can plot the peak current versus scan rate, peak current versus square root of
the scan rate or peak potential versus the logarithm of the scan rate.
Linear Curve Fitting
Checking this box will allow the data to be fit linearly by the least square method.
A best fit straight line will also appear on the plot.

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Select Files
In order to plot data, you have to select files. Only CV or LSV data will be read.
Data obtained with other techniques will be ignored. Select at least three data files
obtained at a different scan rate.

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Semilog Plot Command

Use this command to display a current-potential semilog plot. This plot is useful in
data analysis for steady state responses. One can also convert a diffusive or peak shaped
response by semi-integral or full integral to a sygmoidal curve and display a semilog plot.
For a reversible reaction, the intercept on the potential axis is the half wave potential and
the slope should be 0.059/n V. Any discrepancy from the expected slope indicates slow
kinetics or complexity of the electrode reaction.
You can also do linear curve fitting to the data.
After you set the options, click the OK button to display the plot. The X-Y plot is
temporary and disappears if other data display commands are invoked. However you can
use Graph Option, Color and Legend, and Font commands to customize your plot.
The system displays the Current-Potential Semilog Plot dialog box:

The following options allow you to set the plot parameters:

Potential Window
Enter the potential window for the data to be plotted. The potential window should
be around the half wave potential and within ±0.059/n V. Data points ouside the
specified potential window will be ignored.
Linear Curve Fitting
Checking this box will allow the data to be fit linearly by the least square method.
A best fit straight line will also appear on the plot.

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Special Plot Command

Use this command to display special plots if available.

For linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), the special plot is the Polarization Resistance
Plot. After this command is invoked, the program will check the potential at zero current.
If it is found, it will be used as E (V, I=0). Otherwise, a warning "Potential at zero current
not found" will be issued. A Polarization Resistance Plot dialog box will appear.

After entering the center potential and the potential range, click OK and a
polarization resistance plot will be constructed. Polarization resistance and correlation will
be reported.
The polarization resistance plot is temporary and disappears if other data display
commands are invoked. However you can use Graph Option, Color and Legend, and Font
commands to customize your plot.

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Graph Options Command

Use this command to select graphic plot options.

The graphic options allow you to selectively turn on or off the plot captions, XY
grid, and XY axis inversion. You can also freeze the XY axis, customize the XY axis titles
and write memos that can be saved together with the data.
Most of the parameters will be saved when you end the program and reloaded when
you restart the program.
This command presents a Graph Options dialog box:

The following options allow you to select graphic plot options:

Screen
You can selectively turn on or off header, axis, baseline, parameters and results on
the screen.
The header is the caption shown on top of the plot. The header text can be typed in
the Header text area.
The baseline is drawn to visually define a peak or wave.
The screen options are independent of printer options as described below.
Printer
You can selectively turn on or off header, axis, baseline, parameters and results on
the printer.
The printer options are independent of screen options as described above.

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Grid and Inv

You can selectively turn on or off XY grid and XY inversion.
XY inversion will allow you to change the X Y axis polarity. This is only for
temporary. If you want to invert the X Y axis polarity permanently, use the System
command in the Setup menu.
XY Freeze
You can freeze the XY axis by checking the item(s) and enter the freezing scale. X
and Y axis can be controlled independently.
When X Y axis freeze is not checked, the X Y scale will have the value that was
used in the present plot.
Sometimes the XY axis can not be frozen at the exact scale you entered in order to
have an integer number of ticks on the X Y axis.
XY Title
For each electrochemical technique, the system provides default X Y axis titles. If
you want to customize them, check the items and enter the title you want to appear.
Unit
You can enter the unit or dimension of customized XY axis titles.
XY scale
You can change the size of the plot by changing the XY scale. The default XY
scale is 1 that is full size.
This is particularly useful when you want to print the plot for publication, or when
you want to paste the plot into a word processor.
Data
You can choose the data set to be plotted. Depending on the technique, the
selection varies. See the Present Data Plot command description.
Cursor Lock to Data Points
The cursor could be either locked to data points or free of movement.
Current Density
If this item is checked, the current density will be displayed.
Electrode Area
The electrode area is used to calculate the current density.
E vs Reference Electrode
By default, the potential axis title is “Potential / V”. If this item is checked, the type
of reference electrode used in the experiment will be attached to the potential axis title.
For instance, the potential axis title might be “Potential / V vs SCE”. You can enter the
type of the reference electrode in the edit box after the “Ref Electrode:” prompt.
Header
This is the header text editor box. Enter your header here. To display the header on
top of the plot, check the Header box in the Screen and/or Printer options.
Note
This is the note text editor box. Enter your note here. The note is not displayed on
the screen, but will be shown as data information and saved in the data file. It allows

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you to put more comments about the experiment and remind you later about the
purpose and the conditions of the experiment.

This command has a toolbar button:

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Color and Legend Command

Use this command to edit graphic plot color and legends.

You can change the color of the background, the axis, the grid and thedata curve.
You can also change the legend of the data curve and the grid.
The color and legend will be saved when you exit the program and will be reloaded
when you restart the program.
To change the text color, please use the Font command.
This command presents a Color Selection dialog box:

The following options allow you to select the colors and the legends of the plot:
Curve #
Curve 0 represents the currently active data. Curves 1-9 are for Overlay Plots. The
overlapped curves use the color in the order defined here.
Color
You can select the color of the data curve, the grid, the axis and the background. To
change these colors, click the Change button. The system displays the Color dialog box
so you can select a color. For more information about the Color dialog box, refer to
your Windows User's Manual.
To change the color of the text, use the Font command.
Legend

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You can select the legend of the data curve and the grid. The legend can be line,
point, circle or any other pattern.
When a point is chosen for the curve or the grid legend, it may not be displayed by
certain printers or plotters. For instance, HP LaserJet IV will not draw a dot in the
HPGL mode, but it will draw a dot in the raster mode. Properly configuring your
printer may help.
Size
You can specify the size of the legend or the thickness of the line.
Interval
You can change the data density for the plot. The original data density is 1. Larger
interval lowers your data point density. This is useful when you use Overlay Plots and
different legends.
Default
Pressing this button will reset all the colors and legends to the system default.

This command has a toolbar button:

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Font Command

Use this command to select the font of the text used in the plot. You can define the
font, the style, the size and the color.
You can also rotate the Y axis title for printing.
The font will be saved when you exit the program and will be reloaded when you
restart the program.
This command presents a Font Selection dialog box:

To change the font, style, size or color of the text, press the Change button of the
corresponding item.
The Y axis title should go from bottom to top. However, different printers define
the character rotation angles differently. For instance, HP LaserJet IV defines the desired
rotation as 90 degrees, but IBM Lexmark 4039 12R defines it as 270 degrees. If you find
that the Y axis title goes from top to bottom, change the selection until the desired result is
attained.
The system displays the Font dialog box so you can select the font. For more
information about Font dialog box, refer to your Windows User's Manual.
Pressing the Default button will reset all fonts to the system default.

This command has a toolbar button:

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Copy to Clipboard Command

Use this command to copy the plot to clipboard. You can then paste it into a word
processor or any other windows based prgram.
This command will work during a run or a digital simulation.

This command has a toolbar button:

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