Let's add some plotting utilities

[chrisjonesBSU]

Some commonly used plotting functions would be useful.

Here are some ideas, feel free to comment with more:

• 1. Peak finding
• 2. Plotting with error bars
• 3. A lab matplotlib rc file (or a few different rc files depending on the application)
• 4. Distribution plotting
• 5. 3D plots
• 6. Heat maps

[gwenwhite]

What kind of data do we use a 3D plots or heat maps for?

[chrisjonesBSU]

I think a good example is a plot showing a phase diagram. The x and y axis would be two different system/simulation parameters (like temperature and density) and the color (or z-value) at any x-y point is related to some kind of order parameter, or some dynamic property like self-diffusivity.

[jennyfothergill]

A matplotlibrc is included in the getting started guide