Chapter 1. Introduction
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## Chapter 1. Introduction

## What QtiPlot does

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 tables or from analytical functions.

The projet has been created by Ion Vasilief in 2000, and he was the only programmer between 2000 and 2005. Since 2006, new contributors have joined Ion and the project is hosted by BerliOS Developper. The software aims to be a tool for analysis and graphical representation of data in the way of commercial software like Origin.

QtiPlot is a dynamic tool, 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 tables, matrix 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.

The plots can be exported to several graphic formats such as JPEG or PNG and inserted as images in documents or presentations.

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 Results log command and can be deleted from the project file via the Clear Log Informations command.

When the application is launched, a new untitled project file is created consisting of a grey main window (the workspace) which may contains an empty window, depending on your preferences. The type of the initial window can be customized using the Preferences dialog. It may be a table, a matrix, a note or an empty 2D graph window. In order to be operational, the workspace must be populated with tables storing data sets, either by creating empty tables/matrices first (New -> New Table command) and then filling them with data, or by importing ASCII files (Import ASCII... command), 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...

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