The Pattern tab

The Pattern tab is a tab of the Format Data Series dialog.

The Pattern tab has numerous options for formatting charts. But whether the Pattern tab is available depends on these factors:

The type of chart.
Which area of the chart is selected to be formatted.

For example, in a line chart, the Pattern tab is available for formatting the chart area and the plot area, but not for formatting the data series. But, in a bar chart, the tab is also available for formatting the data series.

The Pattern tab has four Fill options:

Automatic
Solid fill
No fill
Gradients and other options

Fill options

Automatic: Select Automatic to accept the default color for the data series.
Solid fill: Select Solid fill to specify a color for the data series. Select a color from the Color list. A preview is displayed in the Preview field.; If you have specified a background color in the Format Plot Area dialog you can use the Transparency field to specify to what degree that color is visible through the data series. For example, if the background of the chart is red, and you specify White as the Solid fill color, then the data series is displayed as white on a red background. But, if you specify Transparency as 50%, the color of the data series appears a shade of pink.; If no background color is specified in the Format Plot Area dialog, the Transparency option lightens the Solid fill color you select.
No fill: If you select No fill the data series takes the color of the chart background. By default this is white but you can specify a different color in the Format Plot Area dialog.
Gradients and other options: Select Gradients and other options to enable the Edit button.

Border options

You can specify borders for all fill options.

For each fill option, you can accept the default border style. Or, you can specify a user-defined border, or a gradient border.

You can apply a shadow effect to all border options.

For a user-defined border you can specify these options:

A style: For example, Solid or dashed.
Color
Width
Transparency: Specify the degree of transparency of the border. For example, if you specify a transparent border for a data series and you have specified a background color for the chart, the background color is visible through the border color.
Roundness: Select a value from 0 to 100 in the Round field to specify the roundness of the border. For example, if you specify a round border for the data series in a bar chart, the data series are displayed as ovals instead of rectangles.
Cap type: Specify whether the ends of the dashes in a dashed border are rounded, square or flat.
Join type: Specify whether the outside angle where the horizontal and vertical lines of a border meet, is mitered, rounded or beveled.

If you select the Gradient border option, the Edit button is enabled. Click Edit to display the Edit Border dialog.

The options to specify a gradient border are the same as those for specifying a gradient as the background of a chart, plot area, or data series.

In addition, you can specify the width and roundness of a gradient border.

You can specify a shadow under a border. This can be used, for example, to create the illusion that the data series of a chart are raised above the chart background.

If you select the Shadow option, the Edit button is enabled. Click Edit to display the Edit Shadow dialog.

You can specify the color, transparency and blur of a shadow. For example, if you specify a transparent border for a data series and you have specified a background color for the chart, the background color is visible through the border color. The Blur option specifies how well-defined the border of the shadow is. A low value specifies a sharp border. Higher values specify a blurred border.

You can also change the apparent distance and angle of the light source. An angle of 0 equates to no shadow.

Export and import

You can export the definition of a chart format to a .cid file and import it to another instance of Application Studio.

To export a definition:

Click Export Definition
Specify a file name and location in which to save it
Click Save

To import a definition:

Click Import Definition
Browse to the .cid file to import
Click Open.
Click Apply to apply the definition to the selected area of the chart.

Invert if negative

This option inverts the fill effect applied to a data series if the data series represents a negative value.

For example, you create a column chart to represent the profits from the sale of various products over three years.

You specify that the data series for Product X displays an image of an arrow pointing upwards.

In Year 1, Product X makes a loss. Its data series is displayed below the X axis but the arrow still points upwards. If you select Invert if negative the arrow points downwards for Year 1.

Whether the effect of the Invert if negative option is visible depends on the fill style you choose. Its effect is visible, for example if images or vertical gradients are used but not if a solid color fill is used.