How do I save a figure with linked properties?

I have a figure with two 3 dimensional axes that are linked via

linkprop([ax2 ax1], {'View', 'XLim','YLim','ZLim'})

I used two sets of axes, because i need two different colormaps for a imagesc and hist3 plot, that are overlaying.

When I save the figure using savefig, and open it again, linkprop is resetted. How can I save the figure with the linked properties?

Thanks in advance! -Fabian

Answer 1

[Adam Danz]

The documentation on linkprop recommends storing the link object that linkprop() produces in the object's UserData property. After re-opening the figure you could then access the linkprop object to restore its properties. Here is a simple example where I create two figures and link the properties of the first to the second. Then I save the 2nd figure and close both figures. Then I open the 2nd figure and apply the link object to it again. However, in this simple example when I open the 2nd figure the properties are maintained which makes me wonder how you're saving your figure; using savefig()?

% Create 2 figs; we'll use the first as the template
f1 = figure('name', 'fig1', 'color', 'b', 'NumberTitle', 'off'); 
f2 = figure('name', 'fig2');

% Copy properties to fig 2; store link object in fig 2
linkObj = linkprop([f1, f2], {'Color', 'NumberTitle'}); 
f2.UserData = linkObj; 

% save figure 2 to current directory; close both figure and clear vars
savefig(f2, 'fig2')
close([f1,f2])
clear all

% open figure 2 
f2 = open('fig2.fig');

% Restore properties stored in UserData
addtarget(f2.UserData, f2)

[Fabian Gock]

First of all, thanks for your answer. This is actually not exactly addressing my problem.

See this example:

%create data
[X,Y,Z] = peaks(30);
Zprime = del2(Z);
contourmin = min(Z(:));
contourmax = max(Z(:));
pcolormin = min(Zprime(:));
pcolormax = max(Zprime(:));
%create figure and store handle
hF = figure;
%create axes for pcolor and store handle
hAxesP = axes;
axis(hAxesP,'off');
%set colormap for pcolor axes
colormap(hAxesP,gray);
%plot pcolor for gradient
pcolorPlot = pcolor(X,Y,Zprime);
set(pcolorPlot,'FaceColor','interp','EdgeColor','interp');
%create color bar and set range for color
cbP = colorbar(hAxesP,'Location','east');
caxis(hAxesP,[pcolormin pcolormax]);
%create axes for the countourm axes
hAxesCM = axes;
%set visibility for axes to 'off' so it appears transparent
%set colormap for contourm axes
colormap(hAxesCM,cool);
%plot contourm
contourmPlot = contour3(X,Y,Z,20);
%create color bar and set range for color
cbCM = colorbar(hAxesCM,'Location','west');
caxis(hAxesCM,[contourmin contourmax]);
set(hAxesCM,'color','none');
%link the two overlaying axes so they match at all times to remain accurate
%linkaxes([hAxesP,hAxesCM]);
linkprop([hAxesCM,hAxesP],{'View','XLim','YLim','ZLim'});

This makes both plots rotate simultaneously. Bus when I save the figure, using savefig(), and then open it again, the linked properties are resetted and both axes rotate independently when I drag them with my mouse.

linkaxes seems to maintain the link after reopening it (that's what i read) but does not work with 3D axes.

[Fabian Gock]

You actually helped me out a lot.

this

    linkObj = linkprop([f1, f2], {'Color', 'NumberTitle'}); 
    f2.UserData = linkObj;

solved my problem. Thanks!

[Adam Danz]

Good! Its interesting that storing the linkObj output isn't necessary for a simple 2D plot but is needed for the 3D axis limits. Hmmm.