Animation in a Chart

[Mike Jones]

I am looking for some advise on how to approach a feature we are trying to build into our product.

We are trying to animate a series, that works differently than the SeriesAnimation tool.

We would like to do something like the following:

I have a set of points that were generated from an equation

Y = X + Z
Where X ranges from 0 - 10
and Z ranges from 0 - 3
which then means Y ranges from 0 - 13

I don't want to chart this as a 3D chart, but instead as a 2D where the z value is used as the animation value.

It appears I need to create 4 different serieses. One series where z = 0, one where z = 1, on where z = 2, and one where z = 3.

I could then turn the appropriate series on/off with a timer to similate the z value animation.

Keep in mind, what I described above is a very simple case. I am going to ultimately have multiple animated values and I will likely have many more points than the 4 Z points in this example. Any feedback needs to keep these requirements in mind.

Question I would like feedback on:

1. Is what I proposed feasible?
2. Is there a better way to accomplish the same thing as I described?
3. Would it be more efficient to add and remove the series instead to create the animation affect?
4. What are the limitations of what I propose?
5. How many series could I add before I start to see display issues

[Narcís]

Hi Mike,

1. Is what I proposed feasible?

Yes, I think that's possible.

2. Is there a better way to accomplish the same thing as I described?

The easier way I can think of for now is using a series for each Z value and make series visible or not using a timer accordingly.

3. Would it be more efficient to add and remove the series instead to create the animation affect?

Probably not. If you already have the series populated you'll just have to paint them instead of creating and populating them every time.

4. What are the limitations of what I propose?

I can't think of any other limitation than the time spent drawing the series every timer event execution.

5. How many series could I add before I start to see display issues

You should test this at your end as strongly depends on your machine's power.