MATLAB: How to display the filename correctly

command syntaxcommand vs function sytnaxfunction syntaxMATLAB

I am trying to export a figure with a file name that is derived from the string name after a section of a code. Below is the export fig part. But for some reason, instead of printing the actual name of string the code prints fig_name as the file name. What can be done to avoid this?

    p1 = strfind(fname,'.csv');
    fig_name = string(fname(1:1:p1-1));
    fig_name = sprintf(fig_name + '.png')
    
    %% export the figure
    export_fig fig_name -transparent

Best Answer

You are using the command format of export_fig. MATLAB does not understand fig_name is used to refer a variable and just consider it as a string. Use the functional format

export_fig(fig_name, '-transparent')

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MATLAB: Variable string as filename using export_fig

You need to learn about the difference between function syntax and command syntax:

http://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/matlab_prog/command-vs-function-syntax.html

When you are creating strings, such as the optional arguments to a function call, then you need to tell MATLAB that they are strings by placing them inside single quotes, otherwise it will think they are functions or variables. So your code should be something like this:

export_fig(figname,'-transparent','-append')

Of course if you had actually read the export_fig documentation then you would have found these very clear examples listed under the heading "Variable file names":

"Here's an example of this:"

for a = 1:5
    plot(rand(5, 2));
    export_fig(sprintf('plot%d.png', a));
end

"When using the functional form like this, be sure to put string variables in quotes:"

export_fig(sprintf('plot%d', a), '-a1', '-pdf', '-png');

MATLAB: How to get transparent PNG file from FIG file

1. Download the "export_fig" functions from the File Exchange link:

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/23629-export_fig

Note that this is a 3rd party File Exchange function, and not officially supported (or tested) by MathWorks.

2. Set the 'Color' property of both figure and axes objects to 'none':

>> plot(1:10)
>> f = gcf;
>> a = gca;
>> f.Color = 'none';
>> a.Color = 'none';

3. Use the "export_fig" function with -transparent' flag to generate the PNG file:

>> export_fig -transparent

Best Answer

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MATLAB: Variable string as filename using export_fig

MATLAB: How to get transparent PNG file from FIG file

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