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Quick Start Guide

Get up and running with Cute Plot in just a few minutes. This guide walks you through the basic workflow from installation to creating your first interactive plots.

5-Minute Quick Start

Step 1: Load Sample Data

  1. Launch Cute Plot: Start the application
  2. Open files: Click File → Open or drag files into the application
  3. Select sample data: Choose any CSV file with time-series data

Example CSV format: 

Time,Voltage_A,Voltage_B,Current_A,Current_B,Frequency
0.0,1.00,1.01,0.85,0.87,60.0
0.1,1.02,1.03,0.88,0.89,60.1
0.2,0.98,0.99,0.82,0.83,59.9

Step 2: Explore Your Data

  1. File appears in sidebar: Your loaded file shows up in the left panel
  2. Expand file: Click the file to see all data columns (series)
  3. Select series: Click to select individual series, or Ctrl+click for multiple

Step 3: Create Your First Plot

  1. Drag to plot: Drag selected series to the main plot area
  2. Automatic visualization: Series appear as colored lines
  3. Interactive exploration:
  4. Mouse wheel to zoom
  5. Middle-click and drag to pan
  6. Right-click for options

Step 4: Analyze Data

  1. Query tool: Hold Ctrl and drag to create a selection rectangle
  2. Instant statistics: See min, max, mean, and other statistics
  3. Advanced analysis: Enable more options in Settings → Query Options

Step 5: Add Annotations

  1. Right-click in plot: Access annotation menu
  2. Add reference lines: Choose horizontal, vertical, or linked vertical lines
  3. Add text labels: Place draggable text annotations

Congratulations! You've completed the basic Cute Plot workflow.

Common Workflows

Power System Analysis

1. Load PSCAD or PSS/E simulation results
2. Create multi-subplot layout (2x2 grid)
3. Organize by measurement type:
   - Voltages in subplot 1
   - Currents in subplot 2  
   - Power in subplot 3
   - Frequency in subplot 4
4. Use templates for repeated analysis

Time-Series Data Exploration

1. Load CSV files with sensor data
2. Use search to find related measurements
3. Apply data transformations for unit conversion
4. Query specific time periods for detailed analysis
5. Annotate important events and thresholds

Comparative Analysis

1. Load multiple files with similar data
2. Select same measurements across files
3. Plot on same subplot for comparison
4. Use linked vertical lines to correlate events
5. Generate screenshots for reports

Essential Features Tour

File Management

  • Multi-format support: CSV, PSCAD (.inf/.out), PSS/E (.out)
  • Drag & drop: Drop files from file explorer
  • Smart loading: Automatic lazy loading for large files (>2GB)
  • File search: Real-time search across files and series

Data Visualization

  • Multiple subplots: Up to 3x3 grid of synchronized plots
  • High performance: Smooth interaction with millions of data points
  • Auto-coloring: 20 distinct colors automatically assigned
  • Synchronized axes: X-axes synchronized across all subplots

Interactive Analysis

  • Query rectangles: Ctrl+drag to analyze selected regions
  • Statistical analysis: Comprehensive statistics on selected data
  • Zoom and pan: Intuitive navigation with mouse
  • Real-time updates: All interactions update immediately

Data Manipulation

  • Non-destructive transforms: Scale and offset data without changing originals
  • Unit conversion: Easy conversion between engineering units
  • Series management: Rename, delete, and reorganize data series
  • Cross-subplot movement: Drag series between subplots

Keyboard and Mouse Reference

Mouse Controls

Left Click:           Select series, dismiss popups
Right Click:          Context menus, zoom rectangle  
Ctrl+Left Click:      Create query rectangle
Middle Drag:          Pan plot view
Mouse Wheel:          Zoom in/out
Hover on Axes:        Lock opposite axis during zoom

Keyboard Shortcuts

Ctrl+O:              Open files
Ctrl+S:              Save session (when implemented)
Ctrl+Click:          Multi-select series
Delete:              Delete selected annotations
Escape:              Cancel current operation

Sample Data and Examples

Create Test Data

If you don't have sample data, create a simple CSV file:

Time,Signal_1,Signal_2,Signal_3
0.0,1.0,0.5,-0.5
0.1,0.9,0.7,-0.3
0.2,0.8,0.9,-0.1
0.3,0.7,1.1,0.1
0.4,0.6,1.3,0.3
0.5,0.5,1.5,0.5

Save this as test_data.csv and load it into Cute Plot.

Typical Use Cases

Engineering Analysis

  • Simulation results: Load and analyze simulation outputs
  • Measurement data: Process experimental measurements
  • Comparative studies: Compare different test conditions
  • Report generation: Create plots for technical reports

Research Applications

  • Data exploration: Explore large datasets interactively
  • Statistical analysis: Perform statistical analysis on time windows
  • Publication plots: Generate high-quality plots for papers
  • Collaboration: Share templates and analysis approaches

Common New User Questions

"How do I load my data?"

  • Supported formats: CSV, PSCAD (.inf/.out), PSS/E (.out)
  • Use File → Open or drag files into the application
  • Large files (>2GB) automatically use lazy loading

"How do I create multiple plots?"

  • Use the rows/columns controls at the bottom
  • Set rows: 1-3, columns: 1-3 for up to 9 subplots
  • Drag different series to different subplots

"How do I analyze a specific time period?"

  • Hold Ctrl and drag to create a query rectangle
  • Statistics appear automatically
  • Enable more analysis options in Settings → Query Options

"How do I add reference lines?"

  • Right-click in any subplot
  • Choose Add Annotations → select line type
  • Drag lines to reposition them

"How do I convert units?"

  • Use transformation controls in series legends
  • X and Y multipliers and offsets available
  • Example: Convert pu to % by setting Y multiply to 100

"How do I save my work?"

  • Screenshots: Click "Take Screenshot" button
  • Templates: Save plot layouts for reuse (feature in development)
  • Sessions: Full session saving (planned feature)

Getting Help

Built-in Resources

  • Logger: Settings → Logger for detailed application logs
  • Metrics: Settings → Show Metrics for performance information
  • Feedback: Leave Feedback menu for direct communication

Documentation Structure

Troubleshooting First Steps

  1. Check file format: Ensure your files are in supported formats
  2. Try smaller files: Test with smaller datasets first
  3. Check system resources: Ensure adequate RAM for your data
  4. Review logs: Check the logger for detailed error information

What's Next?

After mastering the basics:

  1. Learn Templates: Automate repetitive analysis workflows
  2. Explore Analysis: Enable advanced statistical analysis features
  3. Master Annotations: Create publication-ready plots with annotations
  4. Data Transformations: Learn unit conversion and signal processing
  5. Advanced Features: Explore power user features and customization
Quick Start (you are here)
    ↓
User Interface Overview
    ↓  
File Loading & Formats
    ↓
Series Management
    ↓
Plotting & Visualization
    ↓
Data Analysis & Querying
    ↓
Templates & Automation
    ↓
Advanced Features

Tips for Success

Performance Tips

  • Close unused files: Remove files you're not actively using
  • Use search: Search for specific series instead of browsing large files
  • Enable only needed analysis: Configure query options for better performance
  • Work with subsets: Use query rectangles to focus on specific time periods

Workflow Tips

  • Consistent naming: Use consistent column names across similar files
  • Template preparation: Create templates for repeated analysis types
  • Progressive complexity: Start simple and add complexity gradually
  • Documentation: Document your analysis approach for reproducibility

Visual Design Tips

  • Clear annotations: Use annotations to highlight important features
  • Consistent colors: Let automatic coloring maintain visual consistency
  • Meaningful labels: Always label axes and plots descriptively
  • Professional appearance: Use screenshots for reports and presentations

Quick tip: The best way to learn Cute Plot is to use it with your own data. Start with the basic workflow and gradually explore advanced features as needed.