Comparing Multiple Files

You have recordings from two test runs — or before and after a design change — and need to compare them side by side. This guide walks you through loading, overlaying, aligning, and analyzing signals across multiple files.

Load both files

Drag both files into the Cute Plot window. They appear as separate entries in the sidebar, each with its own set of series.

Overlay on the same subplot

To compare the same measurement from each file, drag the matching series from both files onto the same subplot. They get different colors automatically, and the legend shows which file each series comes from (displayed as "Filename - Series Name").

For example, drag Voltage_A from File 1 and Voltage_A from File 2 onto the same subplot. You'll immediately see how they differ.

Use transformations to align

If the two recordings have different time bases or scales, use the transformation controls in the legend to align them:

• X Add — shift one signal in time to align events. For example, if the fault in File 2 starts 0.5 s later, set X Add to -0.5 on File 2's series.
• Y Multiply — normalize to the same scale. For example, if one file uses per-unit and the other uses percentage, multiply the per-unit signal by 100.
• X Multiply — correct time scale differences. For example, if one recording is in seconds and the other in milliseconds.

See Data Transformations for the full reference on transformation controls.

Use search to find matching signals

When your files have many series, use the search bar to quickly find equivalent channels across both files. Wildcard patterns help:

• *voltage* — find all voltage series in both files
• file:case1* & voltage — find voltage series only in files matching "case1"
• Freq* — find all frequency-related channels

Select matching series from both files using Ctrl+click, then drag them all onto a subplot at once.

Query both simultaneously

Draw a query rectangle (Ctrl+drag) over the overlaid signals. The statistics popup shows results for each series separately — letting you compare min, max, mean, RMS, and other metrics side by side.

This is especially useful for before/after comparisons: "Did the new controller design reduce the voltage dip?"

Use multiple subplots for organized comparison

For a structured comparison, set up a subplot grid. A common layout:

• 2x2 grid: voltage (top-left), current (top-right), power (bottom-left), frequency (bottom-right)
• Nx1 grid: one measurement type per row, both files overlaid in each

Use the Rows and Columns sliders to configure the grid, then drag series from both files to the appropriate subplots.

Linked vertical lines are especially useful here — add one to mark an event time, and it appears across all subplots, keeping your comparison synchronized.

Tips for effective comparison

• Rename series for clarity: Click the rename field in the legend to distinguish "Case 1 - Voltage A" from "Case 2 - Voltage A"
• Use annotations: Add horizontal reference lines for thresholds so you can see which case violates limits
• Screenshot both states: Take a screenshot of the zoomed-out overview and a zoomed-in detail view
• Template for repeated comparisons: If you compare the same types of recordings regularly, save your subplot layout as a template. See Building Reusable Templates.