Customizing Surfer Profiles

Optimizing the visual representation of your Surfer profiles goes beyond simply generating a profile; it requires meticulous attention to scale, units, and presentation. This guide explores the powerful customization features available within Surfer. Whether you're presenting geological formations, topographic variations, or any other spatial data, mastering these scaling options ensures your profiles clearly and accurately represent the underlying information, enhancing both readability and scientific rigor.

Example profile with multiple layers and fill types.

Profile Map units per inch scale   [TOP]

The visual appearance of your Surfer profile is significantly influenced by its plotting scale, which defines how your map units translate onto the page. Surfer sets the default X-axis scale for profiles at 6 inches and the Y-axis at 1.5 inches. It's important to note that this physical paper dimension is separate from the units of your source data on the map. Achieving a precise and effective visual representation of your cross-sectional data requires a clear grasp of these scaling parameters, allowing you to fine-tune your profile layout for professional presentations and accurate analysis.

You can change the scale in the profile properties:

1. In the Contents window, select the Profile.
2. In the Properties window, select the Scale tab.
3. Change the scale of one direction; or for proportional scaling, check the Proportional XY scaling check box and change the scale.

Profile units  [TOP]

The units displayed on the profile are the X and Y units that correspond to the grid it was created from. If you wish the Distance units to be in other units (e.g. if your map is in lat/lon units and you want the distance to be in meters or feet), change the coordinate system for the map to a system with the linear units desired and then recreate the profile.

The X axis of a profile shows the distance along the section line, starting at 0 and increasing along the entire length of the section line.

The Y axis shows the Z value of the grid at that particular point on the section line. The units correspond to the Z units of the grid it was created from.

Display axis units  [TOP]

Surfer does not currently add the units to your axis. You will need to manually add them to the axis label. To check the map coordinate system select your Map in the Contents window, and in the Properties window select the Coordinate System tab.

1. In the Contents window, select your profile axes, for example X Axis.
2. In the Properties window, select the General tab.
3. In the Title text field add the units, for example (m) or (ft).

Profile fill options  [TOP]

Elevate the visual quality of your Surfer profiles and maps with access to a comprehensive suite of 315 fill patterns. These include a range of standard stock patterns alongside detailed high-resolution image fill patterns, designed to enrich your data visualizations. Both categories of patterns can be set with a transparent background, ensuring your fills complement rather than obscure your base map. For even greater control over your visual output, image patterns can be independently scaled and offset through the Fill Properties, enabling precise adjustments to fit your specific needs. The full fill pattern palette is readily available by selecting the fill pattern option in the Fill Properties panel.

1. In the Contents window, select your profile.
2. In the Properties window, select the Plot tab.
3. In the Profiles section, in the Current profile field select the desired layer.
4. Click the next to the Fill properties section to expand it.
5. In the Pattern field select your desired fill.
6. Set the other Fill Properties to the desired settings. 
7. Repeat steps 3-6 for each layer.
8. Use the Display order field to change the order the layers are stacked in to make sure all of the layers are visible.

Common Questions & Issues  [TOP]

My map units are correct but the Plot window does not appear to reflect that.

Your map may have been resized at some point using the single-direction selection handles (one of the selection handles on either the left, right, top, or bottom of the object) instead of a corner handle. To check for this issue, clear all transforms using Home | Selection | Transform, then checking the Identity (Clear Transforms) checkbox, and clicking OK.

How can I scale a profile so that an axis represents 'A' units in 'B' page inches?

Scaling a profile involves adjusting the Map units per in. setting. This value determines how many "map units" correspond to one inch on the page.

Here's how to calculate the Map units per in. for example:

• 100 feet to be 6 inches and 50 feet to be 3.5 inches
  • For 100 feet to be 6 inches: 100 feet/6 inches≈16.67 Map units per in.
  • For 50 feet to be 3.5 inches: 50 feet/3.5 inches≈14.29 Map units per in.

Keep in mind:

• Proportional XY scaling: If this is checked, changing one dimension (X or Y) will proportionally update the other. Uncheck it if you need to scale the X and Y axes independently.
• The Map units per in. and Length (page units) properties are linked; changing one will automatically adjust the other to maintain the overall scale.

Adding a Legend to Your Profile

A well-placed legend is crucial for interpreting your profile's data. It provides a clear key to all the symbols and colors used in your profile, enhancing readability and understanding. While Surfer doesn't currently offer an automated legend feature for profiles with multiple layers, there's a workaround you can use, described below:

1. Create a Rectangle or Polyline to represent a profile layer.
2. Add a Text object for the label.
3. Select both of the objects you just created, right click and select Duplicate.
4. The duplicated objects will appear on top of the originals, so just click in one of the selected objects and drag them into roughly the correct spot.
5. Repeat steps 3-4 until you have enough labels for each layer in your profile.
6. Use the Layout | Align commands to align them all (Left, and Distribute Vertically)
7. Once you have all the layers created and aligned, select each Rectangle/Polyline and use the Fill properties and Line properties to match your profile.
8. To make it easier to move your profile legend, in the Contents window select all of your legend objects.
9. Right click and select Group.

If this feature is of interest to you, please let us know! To better understand your specific needs, we'd greatly appreciate any details on how an automated legend would most benefit your workflow. Your insights, and any example files you can share help us improve our software. Please contact us.

Key Resources  [TOP]

• Difference between the Slice and Profile commands in Surfer
• Surfer help > Profile