`newplot`

Prepares the figure and axes for a new plot, respecting hold and NextPlot settings.

Category: Graphics > Graphics Objects

Syntax

ax = newplot

Returns the axes a new plot should draw in, clearing them first unless hold is on.

ax = newplot(hsave)

Does the same for the figure or axes hsave.

Description

newplot is meant to be the first call inside a custom plotting function, so that the function follows the same rules as built-in ones: it creates a figure and axes if none exist, keeps the old content when hold on is active, and otherwise clears the axes.

Input arguments

hsave: Optional figure or axes to prepare.

Output arguments

ax: Handle of the axes to draw into.

Example

Clear unless hold is on

plot(1:3)
hold on
ax = newplot;
disp(numel(allchild(ax)))
hold off
ax = newplot;
disp(numel(allchild(ax)))

Output

     1
     0

See also

hold ishold cla gca axes