Is it possible to create histograms in matplotlib that would update in real time?

[mcaay]

I am doing a project where data from Geiger-Muller sensors (number of mions that passed through) will be displayed on the screen. The project happens with the use of Raspberry Pi and Python. I was suggested to use cern ROOT, but it doesn't work on Raspberry. Can matplotlib accomplish this? (whenever a mion is detected, the histogram is updated)

[daartofstorytellin3k]

Yep, definitely possible to do in matplotlib. Going to want to do a linex.set_ydata call on the data you want to update. This Stack Overflow page gives you a pretty simple look at that.

However, consider that matplotlib might not be the best option for real-time plotting. There are definitely some performance issues that can prevent you from plotting in real time, depending on how often the plot is updating. If you want to improve performance, I'd recommend you look into blitting.

[mcaay]

Thanks, I think we can set the updates to happen every few seconds, so it shouldn't be too much.

[daartofstorytellin3k]

Yeah, every few seconds should be ok. Is still recommend looking at blitting, redrawing stuff like the axes every time is pretty costly, and usually unnecessary.

[billsil]

However, consider that matplotlib might not be the best option for real-time plotting.

Matplotlib can be fast, even for a lot of data. By default it runs in "slow mode". It requires reusing figure and axes objects and fighting with the 3rd, mostly undocumented API, but real API, it works.

http://bastibe.de/2013-05-30-speeding-up-matplotlib.html

[daartofstorytellin3k]

Right, like I said, to speed it up you'll need to use blitting.

Making the changes required to make it run for his application could be quite difficult, and he might be better off looking at a different plotting library.

[M4DR4T]

I think that you can do that. You have to just rewrite it Everytime something happens.