Real time plotting using Matplotlib. X axis getting over-written

Question

I'm plotting real-time data using parsed data from a file that is being repeatedly opened. The plotting works great until the X axis (time) runs out a room. I'm trying to figure out a way to advance to the next element and shift the time values to the left. Code and screenshot included here.

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import csv
import datetime
from matplotlib.animation import FuncAnimation

x = []
y = []
rssi_val = []

def animate(i):
    with open('stats.txt', 'r') as searchfile:
#        time = (searchfile.read(5))
        time = (searchfile.read(8))
        for line in searchfile:
            if 'agrCtlRSSI:' in line:
                rssi_val = line[16:20]
                y.append(rssi_val)
                x.append(time[-1])


    plt.cla()
    plt.plot(x,y)
    next(x)
    plt.xlabel('Time')
    plt.ylabel('RSSI')
    plt.title('Real time signal strength seen by client X')
    plt.tight_layout()

ani = FuncAnimation(plt.gcf(), animate, interval=5000)
plt.show()

William Miller · Accepted Answer · 2020-01-15 21:41:52Z

1

You could just rotate the labels,

for label in ax.get_xticklabels():
    label.set_rotation(90)

or

ax.tick_params('x', labelrotation=90)

before calling plt.plot().

edited Jan 15, 2020 at 21:41

answered Jan 11, 2020 at 20:51

William Miller

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5 Comments

wiwinut Over a year ago

Thanks again William. However, when I add that just above plt.plot(x,y) I get "AttributeError: 'list' object has no attribute 'get_xticklabels'. I'm thinking it's because I didn't define something correctly (?).

William Miller Over a year ago

Preface it with ax=plt.gca() or use plt.gca().get_xticklabels()

wiwinut Over a year ago

I tried the first suggestion, followed by the second and unfortunately the time values are still getting squeezed. Entire snippet in updated image above.

William Miller Over a year ago

@wiwinut Needs to be after plt.plot()

wiwinut Over a year ago

You have come to my rescue once again. Thank you so much!

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