How to Integrate Matplotlib Visualization into PyQt4 Applications?

Embedding Matplotlib in PyQt4: A Comprehensive Guide

Creating interactive data visualizations within your PyQt4 user interfaces can be achieved seamlessly with the integration of Matplotlib. While finding examples of embedding Matplotlib can be challenging, grasping the process is quite straightforward.

How to Embed Matplotlib in PyQt4

To embed Matplotlib in PyQt4, follow these steps:

1. Import Matplotlib Widgets:
   Import the necessary widgets from matplotlib.backends.backend_qt4agg, specifically FigureCanvasQTAgg and NavigationToolbar2QT.
2. Instantiate Matplotlib Widgets:
   Create instances of the Figure, Canvas, and Toolbar widgets. The figure represents the plotting surface, the canvas displays the figure, and the toolbar provides navigation and zooming capabilities.
3. Create a Plotting Function:
   Define a function that generates your desired plot, clears the existing graph, and redraws the canvas.
4. Connect Button to Plotting Function:
   Create a button and connect its clicked event to the plotting function to trigger the creation of the graph on demand.
5. Configure Layout:
   Add your matplotlib widgets and button to a layout, arranging them as desired in your user interface.

Example Code:

Here's a simple code example to illustrate the process:

<code class="python">import sys
from PyQt4 import QtGui

from matplotlib.backends.backend_qt4agg import FigureCanvasQTAgg as FigureCanvas
from matplotlib.backends.backend_qt4agg import NavigationToolbar2QT as NavigationToolbar
from matplotlib.figure import Figure

import random

class Window(QtGui.QDialog):
    def __init__(self, parent=None):
        super(Window, self).__init__(parent)

        # a figure instance to plot on
        self.figure = Figure()

        # this is the Canvas Widget that displays the `figure`
        # it takes the `figure` instance as a parameter to __init__
        self.canvas = FigureCanvas(self.figure)

        # this is the Navigation widget
        # it takes the Canvas widget and a parent
        self.toolbar = NavigationToolbar(self.canvas, self)

        # Just some button connected to `plot` method
        self.button = QtGui.QPushButton('Plot')
        self.button.clicked.connect(self.plot)

        # set the layout
        layout = QtGui.QVBoxLayout()
        layout.addWidget(self.toolbar)
        layout.addWidget(self.canvas)
        layout.addWidget(self.button)
        self.setLayout(layout)

    def plot(self):
        ''' plot some random stuff '''
        # random data
        data = [random.random() for i in range(10)]

        # create an axis
        ax = self.figure.add_subplot(111)

        # discards the old graph
        ax.clear()

        # plot data
        ax.plot(data, '*-')

        # refresh canvas
        self.canvas.draw()

if __name__ == '__main__':
    app = QtGui.QApplication(sys.argv)

    main = Window()
    main.show()

    sys.exit(app.exec_())</code>

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