MATLAB: How to keep Matlab from stealing focus

focusMATLABstealing

I do a lot long running scripts that plot to multiple figure. While these scripts are running, I am unable to use my computer because Matlab steals focus so I can't do anything else while the script is running. It there a way to keep the plot function from stealing focus?

Best Answer

You can set the Visible property of figure handles as 'off'. It will prevent them from stealing focus.

f = figure('Visible', 'off');

at the end, when you want to see it

f.Visible = 'on'; % or set(f, 'Visible', 'on');

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MATLAB: Keep focus in command window

Avoid using figure() without any arguments. Create axes explicitly and parent them against the figure. Parent all plotting elements explicitly against the axes (or figure, as appropriate.) Do not use figure(ID) to switch attention to that figure: if you need to switch attention then set(0,'CurrentFigure',ID). But with parenting explicitly the circumstances under which you will need to do that will be reduced.

MATLAB: How to render and export many figures without the figures grabbing the window focus all the time

The easiest option is to use the same figure window for each figure, and clear it before each new rendering. If you need to reset the current figure, use:

set(0, 'CurrentFigure', fh);

instead of:

figure(fh);

to avoid the focus being stolen.

In summary:

fh = figure;
for a = 1:num_figs
   % Generate the data for rendering here
   A = rand(10, 3);
   % Select the figure and clear it
   set(0, 'CurrentFigure', fh);
   clf reset;
   % Rendering code here
   plot(A);
   % Figure exporting code here (don't use saveas or getframe)
   print(fh, '-depsc', sprintf('test%3.3d.eps', a));
end

Best Answer

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MATLAB: Keep focus in command window

MATLAB: How to render and export many figures without the figures grabbing the window focus all the time

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