How to change the default color order for all figures?

Hello everyone,

I'd like to change the default color order for every figure in a script, without needing to do it plot by plot.

As an example, we can change other default properties for every figure with

set(0, 'DefaultaxesFontSize', desiredFontSize)
set(0, 'defaultLineLineWidth', desiredLineLineWidth) 

Fyi, you can reset all this user changes by

reset(0)

However, I don't know if there is an option to do this for the property colororder.

I know that I could change the color order plot by plot, as example

newcolors = [0.83 0.14 0.14
             1.00 0.54 0.00
             0.47 0.25 0.80
             0.25 0.80 0.54];
         
colororder(newcolors)

However, I like my code as simple and short as possible!

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

[Stephen23]

M = rand(5,7);
plot(M)

newcolors = [0.83,0.14,0.14; 1,0.54,0; 0.47,0.25,0.8; 0.25,0.8,0.54];
set(groot, "defaultaxescolororder", newcolors)
plot(M)

Hint: use the MATLAB documentation. Scroll to the bottom of the COLORORDER page and you will find these links:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/creating_plots/defining-the-color-of-lines-for-plotting.html

which clearly states that the color order is an axes property. And this link to all axes properties:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/matlab.graphics.axis.axes-properties.html

The properties page includes the color order:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/matlab.graphics.axis.axes-properties.html#budumk7_sep_shared-ColorOrder

You might also find this useful information:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/creating_plots/default-property-values.html

[Dr. Fernando Viadero-Monasterio]

Problem solved! Thank you

[Roy Goodman]

In a similar vein, I'd like to start using the new builtin colororder gem12 by default.

Neither of the following two command work:

set(groot, "defaultaxescolororder",gem12)
set(groot, "defaultaxescolororder","gem12")

What's the right way to do this?

[Stephen23]

"What's the right way to do this?"

Exactly the same way, by supplying the required colors to SET:

map = orderedcolors("gem12");
set(groot, "defaultaxescolororder",map)

M = rand(5,12);
plot(M)

Search the help for "GEM12" and this is the very first page that is returned:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/orderedcolors.html

You also find it linked at the bottom of the COLORORDER page.