Create multiple plots with shared axes. EXPLANATION: This procedure makes a matrix of plots with *SHARED AXES*, either using parameters passed to multiplot or !p.multi in a non-standard way. It is good for data with one or two shared axes and retains all the versatility of the plot commands (e.g. all keywords and log scaling). The plots are connected with the shared axes, which saves space by omitting redundant ticklabels and titles. Multiplot does this by setting !p.position, !x.tickname and !y.tickname automatically. A call (multiplot,/reset) restores original values. Note: This method may be superseded by future improvements in !p.multi by RSI. For now, it's a good way to gang plots together.

Multiplot sets a number of system variables: !p.position, !p.multi, !x.tickname, !y.tickname, !P.noerase---but all can be reset with the call: multiplot,/reset

1. If you use !p.multi as the method of telling how many plots are present, you have to set !p.multi at the beginning each time you use multiplot or call multiplot with the /reset keyword. 2. There's no way to make an xtitle or ytitle span more than one plot, except by adding spaces to shift it or to add it manually with xyouts. 3. There is no way to make plots of different sizes; each plot covers the same area on the screen or paper.

This routine makes a matrix of plots with common axes, as opposed to the method of !p.multi where axes are separated to allow labels. Here the plots are joined and labels are suppressed, except at the left edge and the bottom. You tell multiplot how many plots to make using either !p.multi (which is then reset) or the parameter pmulti. However, multiplot keeps track of the position by itself because !p.multi interacts poorly with !p.position.