idlastro / Math and Statistics: PLOTSYM

[Source code]

NAME
PLOTSYM
PURPOSE
Define useful plotting symbols not in the standard !PSYM definitions.
EXPLANATION
After a symbol has been defined with PLOTSYM, a plotting command should
follow with either PSYM = 8 or !P.PSYM = 8 (see USERSYM)
For additional rotationally symmetric plotting symbols, see VSYM.PRO
Also see CGSYMCAT in the/coyote directory.
CALLING SEQUENCE
PLOTSYM, PSYM,[ PSIZE, /FILL, THICK=, COLOR=]
INPUTS
PSYM -  The following integer values of PSYM will create the
        corresponding plot symbols
0 - circle
1 - downward arrow (upper limit), base of arrow begins at plot value             value
2 - upward arrow (lower limt)
3 - 5 pointed star
4 - triangle
5 - upside down triangle
6 - left pointing arrow
7 - right pointing arrow
8 - square
Arrows are defined such that their base begins at their origin.
OPTIONAL INPUTS
PSIZE - Size of the plotting symbol in multiples of the default size
          (default PSIZE=1).  Does not need to be an integer
OPTIONAL INPUT KEYWORD
FILL -  Parameter indicating whether to fill the symbol (see USERSYM)
        The default is 0, unfilled symbol.  Does not affect arrows
        or character symbols.
THICK -  Thickness of unfilled symbols. Default is 1.
COLOR - Color of the symbols, Default is !P.color
OUTPUTS
None
EXAMPLES
Plot Y vs. X with filled stars as the symbol, twice the default size
IDL> PLOTSYM, 3 ,2, /FILL       ;Plotting symbol is a filled star,
                                  ;twice default size
IDL> PLOT,X,Y,PSYM=8            ;Set PSYM = 8 to get star symbol
Now plot Y vs. X with an open circle as the symbol
 IDL> PLOTSYM, 0               ;Plotting symbol is a circle
 IDL> PLOT,X,Y,PSYM=8
METHOD
Appropriate X,Y vectors are used to define the symbol and passed to the
USERSYM command.
REVISION HISTORY
Written       W. Landsman         June 1992
18-JAN-1996    Added a square symbol, HCW.
98Aug20         Added keyword thick parameter - RCB.
April 2001     Added COLOR keyword    WBL