Can I combine two markers together, and make them overlap?

I have a number of points represented by a circle marker. These markers overlap each other, but one is always layered "above it"\"in front of it" so that one circle is seen completely while the second is hidden behind it. Can it be possible to combine them, so that the overlap is constant between both markers?

Thank you in advance!

First image shows my result. Second shows wanted result.

Answer 1

[Image Analyst]

You can set different sizes for the markers so that they don't overlap completely.

plot(x, y, 'bo', 'MarkerSize', 15);  % Use blue circles of size 15
plot(x, y, 'ro', 'MarkerSize', 25);  % Use red circles of size 25.

[Marco Froelich]

This doesn't solve my problem. I am modelling DNA and my markers need to be a set size.

[Image Analyst]

Not sure what that has to do with it. WHY do the markers need to be the same size? Here I show two data points plotted with circle markers in the same location and both markers are clearly visible:

x = 1;
y = 2.5;
plot(x, y, 'bo', 'MarkerSize', 15, 'LineWidth', 2);  % Use blue circles of size 15
hold on;
plot(x, y, 'ro', 'MarkerSize', 25, 'LineWidth', 2);  % Use red circles of size 25.
grid on;
xlabel('x', 'FontSize', 20);
ylabel('y', 'FontSize', 20);
ax = gca;
ax.XAxisLocation = 'Origin';
ax.YAxisLocation = 'Origin';

[Marco Froelich]

Molecules have a fixed radius. They need to be the correct size. Then, imagine that the red one is slightly to the left of the blue (by 0.25). How can they combine to form one shape?

[Image Analyst]

When you said "but" in "but one is always layered "above it"\"in front of it" so that one circle is seen completely while the second is hidden behind it." I assumed that overlapping/obscuring was something you didn't want. If it is something you do want, you can use solid markers, like a dot instead of an "o", or you can do the visualization using an an actual digital image instead of "plot()".

[Marco Froelich]

The problem is this: molecular structures are usually described with spheres overlapping each other to represent the bond between them. In MatLab using the markers, the "bond" is not as it should. Its is just two spheres overlapping each other without that middle section. Ill edit the post to include an image.

[Walter Roberson]

I see the images that you attached recently, which help make the situation clearer.

However, my answer is still No: as long as you are using Markers then the combining rules are out of your control, and might depend in part on the graphics driver.

The solution is: "Don't use Markers for this purpose".

Have you looked at https://www.mathworks.com/help/bioinfo/ref/molviewer.html and https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/196899-how-to-draw-smooth-balls-spheres-and-sticks-cylinders-around-my-xyz-points and https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/55231-molecule3d ?

[Marco Froelich]

Alright thank you, and no but I will check it out.

Answer 2

[Walter Roberson]

No, it is not possible.

Consider rendering into an image and using the computer vision insertMarker routine. This will not be exactly the same: in particular regular markers stay the same size as you zoom in but markers rendered into an image would scale as you zoom in.

[Marco Froelich]

Fairs thank you.