topic Re: Graph Builder Problem with Lines in Discussions

Graph Builder Problem with Lines

babn — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 20:47:48 GMT

Hi All,

When I create a graph in graph builder with continuous data in the Y and the X axis, and use one categorical in the Overlay, I get continuous lines. But as soon as I put a second categorical in "Color," the lines change to dotted, etc even though the line style shows an uninterrupted line. This didn't use to happen and I don't know why it is happening. I had asked about this problem before and, unfortunately, the solutions didn't let work for my purpose.

I am attaching a sample file from the JMP help index to which I saved the script for a couple of graphs that show what I mean.

Any help with this issue is much appreciated!

Barbara

Re: Graph Builder Problem with Lines

Jed_Campbell — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 21:04:06 GMT

Hi @babn, if you right click on the Overlay section, then choose Overlay Encoding > Color, I think this will get you what you're looking for. This behavior was changed to allow for more ways to create advanced graphs. @scwise did a great little overview of this here at timestamp 18:30 - 22:00.

Re: Graph Builder Problem with Lines

babn — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 22:24:17 GMT

Hi Jed, the only problem with this solution is that it eliminates individual markers. With colors in the encoding, I get only dots. I can change them individually but that's seems quite cumbersome for larger data sets.

Re: Graph Builder Problem with Lines

Jed_Campbell — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:10:31 GMT

Would adding another set of points work for what you're trying to do? You can use the Variables section to change how the overlay is applied to the points all at once.

Re: Graph Builder Problem with Lines

babn — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 22:25:34 GMT

Thank you for the effort. Unfortunately, it doesn't solve my problem with the interrupted lines.

Re: Graph Builder Problem with Lines

hogi — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 16:35:35 GMT

@babn wrote:

Hi Jed, the only problem with this solution is that it eliminates individual markers. With colors in the encoding, I get only dots. I can change them individually but that's seems quite cumbersome for larger data sets.

agree! it is possible to adjust the markers individually. but why is it necessary?
I am confident in a future version of JMP, there will be a
... and a corresponding formalism in Graph Builder to use the setting.

Re: Graph Builder Problem with Lines

hogi — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 16:39:17 GMT

This discussion has continued in

... leading to this "workaround" via preferences/Graph Builder settings :

// execute the code if you know what you are doing - changing the preferences is dangerous
Set Platform Preferences(
		Graph Builder(
			Overlay Auto Line Styles Limit( 1, <<On ),
			Overlay Auto Marker Styles Limit( 62, <<Off ));
);
//--------------------------------------------------		
			
Open( "$SAMPLE_DATA/Blood Pressure.jmp" );
Graph Builder(
	Size( 843, 698 ),
	Graph Spacing( 4 ),
	Variables( X( :BP 8W ), Y( :BP 8M ), Overlay( :Subject ), Color( :Dose ) ),
	Elements( Line( X, Y, Legend( 11 ) ), Points( X, Y, Legend( 12 ) ) )
);

The idea:

Reduce the auto limit for line styles to 1 - to plot all lines as solid lines.
However, keep the auto limit for markers - to get different markers for different overlay groups.
use color to specify the color.

The result:

individual traces for each subject
all lines are solid
different markers for the different subjects
color indicates: dose

-> all the requirements combined into one plot.

The disadvantage: changed settings in the preferences (see )

Re: Graph Builder Problem with Lines

hogi — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 20:47:23 GMT

Overlay can be used for different/distinct purposes:

1) to "group data" for smoother, line, bar and other plots
2a) to control the style of lines
2b) to control the style of markers
2c) ...

This is great if you need one of these functions or multiple options 'synchronously'.
However, it is inconvenient when you need some of the functions in a non-synchronous way.

An example:
How to assign markers for categories which don't coincide with the Overlay groups?

Let's try to create a plot with the following settings [just a slight difference to the settings in the previous post]:

individual traces for each subject
different ~~markers~~ colors for the different subjects (wrap is added to check: 1 subplot = 1 subject = 1 color?)
~~color~~ marker indicates: dose

The graph looks simple enough, doesn't it? But it's extremely difficult to create in Graph Builder.
Give it a try and share your experience!

Start with this script — all you need to do is adjust the markers (... and keep the colors as they are)

Open( "$SAMPLE_DATA/Blood Pressure.jmp" );
Graph Builder(
	Graph Spacing( 4 ),
	Variables(
		X( :BP 8W ),
		Y( :BP 8M ),
		Wrap( :Subject ),
		Overlay( :Subject, Overlay Encoding( "Color" ) ),
	),
	Elements(
		Line( X, Y),
		Points( X, Y )
	)
);

from:

Re: Graph Builder Problem with Lines

hogi — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 20:33:06 GMT

@hogi wrote:
The disadvantage: changed settings in the preferences (see )

Fortunately, there is no need to change the settings in the preferences.
Much better: save the Overlay Auto Line Styles Limit with the plot:

Open( "$SAMPLE_DATA/Blood Pressure.jmp" );
Graph Builder(
	Variables( X( :BP 8W ), Y( :BP 8M ), Overlay( :Subject ), Color( :Dose ) ),
	Elements( Line( X, Y ), Points( X, Y) )
);

// all lines: -> solid!
 
 gb = (current report() << XPath("//OutlineBox[@helpKey = 'Graph Builder']")) << get scriptable object ;
 gb << Overlay Auto Line Styles Limit( 1 )