Printing MATLAB Graphics (Using MATLAB Graphics)

Using MATLAB Graphics

Bitmap Format

Bitmap formats store graphics as matrices of pixels. Bitmaps behave differently from vector-format graphics file. In general, resizing a bitmap causes round-off errors that result in jagged edges and degradation of picture quality. This degradation is particularly obvious in text. Examples of commonly used bitmap formats include:

TIFF
JPEG
BMP
PNG

When working with bitmap formats, keep in mind:

You should avoid scaling a bitmap picture once imported into another applications.
The size of the file created is proportional to the size of the figure being printed (not the figure content) and the resolution at which you print it.
If you are including a bitmap picture in a document you are going to print on paper, then you need to use a resolution higher than screen resolution.

Specifying the Size of a Bitmapped Graphic

The best approach when using bitmap formats is to render the figure to the desired size in MATLAB and avoid any scaling after the file has been created. You can do this by setting the PaperPosition property in the Page Setup dialog box.

See "Example - Importing a Bitmap Graphic" for information on how to import a bitmap into a word processor document.

See "Selecting the Rendering Method for Printing" for related information.

[ Previous | Help Desk | Next ]