menu_book

Knowledge Base

Documentation, guides, and resources for Noldus products.

EthoVision XT 19 - Visualize Data - Set a Specific Time Span

Last updated: Jul 28, 2026

Set a Specific Time Span

The time span is the duration of the time visible in the time axis at any moment. To set a specific time span, click the Show/Hide button on the toolbar, then click Time Span and select one of the values available (minimum 5 sec; maximum 1 hour).

Note: The available values depend on the length of your trial. For example, if your trial is 10 minutes long, the 30 minutes and the 1 hour options are not available.

Zoom the Y-Axis In/Out

You can adjust the range of values for continuous variables (dependent variables and external data). If you have two or more continuous data plots, the variable scale changes only for the plot you have clicked.

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Click the Zoom In button or the Zoom Out button on the toolbar.
    • Right-click the plot and select Zoom In or Zoom Out.
    The mouse pointer turns to a magnifier symbol.
  2. Click the y-axis scale one or a few times.
  3. To stop zooming in/out and return to the normal mouse pointer, click the No Zoom button on the toolbar, or right-click the plot and select No Zoom.

Every time you zoom in/out, the plot scale is enlarged or reduced by a factor of 2.

Tip: To zoom in/out the y-axis in all plots, hold the Ctrl and Alt keys down and scroll with the mouse wheel.

Customize the Dependent Variable Plots

Show and Hide the Plots

Click the Show/Hide button, select Dependent Variables and then choose the items you want to display. By default, all external data files are selected for that trial unless the associated tracks have been filtered out in the Data Selection.

Sort the Plots

You can change the order in which data plots are displayed by dragging them up and down on the screen.

  1. Click the leftmost column next to the plot you want to move. The cursor changes and the plot border is highlighted in red.
  2. Drag the plot up or down to the position you require. Release the mouse button to insert the plot.

You can also sort plots by dependent variable, subject name, or arena name. To do so:

  1. Click the Show/Hide button, then select Chart Sorting.
  2. In the Chart Sorting window, if there are multiple sorting factors, like dependent variables and arena names, choose them under Sort Order.
  3. Under Variable Order, click the arrow buttons to sort the dependent variables.

Change the Color of a Plot

  1. Click the square symbol next to the name of the body point, subject, or behavioral state. Alternatively, click next to the data line (for numerical variable plots) or the color bar (for the discrete variables).
  2. In the Color window, choose a new color and click OK.

Note: For color bars, you can also choose a hatch pattern.

Show and Hide the Data Points

Click the Show/Hide button on the toolbar, and select or deselect Show Graph Data Points.

Specify the Time Mode

You can choose to display time values on the x-axis as elapsed time, remaining time (that is, time to the end of the trial), or the actual time.

  1. Right-click the top-left corner of the chart with the time label.
  2. Select one of the following:
    • Relative Time. The time elapsed since the start of the trial. The 0:00:00.00 time on the far left side corresponds to the start of the trial.
    • Remaining Time. The time to the end of the trial. The 0:00:00.00 time on the far right side corresponds to the end of the trial.
    • Absolute Time. The actual date and time the trial was acquired (for example 11/13/2017 16:29:30.00).

External Data Plots

External data are shown in the form of X-Y plots. The start and end time of the tracks does not always coincide with the start and end time of the co-acquired external data. When you visualize the integrated data, you can only view the external data acquired in the same time interval as the tracks associated with the external data file. External data samples acquired before the start and after the end of the tracks are not plotted.

The hairline shows the current video/track position. The current value of heart rate is shown next to the data set name.

By default the external data are not plotted in the Integrated Visualization.

Plot the Original Signals

  1. Choose Show/Hide > Dependent Variables.
  2. Select the [data set name] (original signal) that you require.

By default the original signal is plotted in green.

Plot the Resampled Signals

  1. Define the resampled signal in the Analysis profile. See External Data (Resampled).
  2. Choose Analysis > Results > Integrated Visualization.

By default, resampled signals are plotted in red.

  • Select Show/Hide > Show Graph Data Points to better view the original and resampled signals.
  • If you upsample a signal with a sample rate much lower than the EthoVision sample rate, and you choose Missing Value as the Upsampling method, it may be difficult to see the data points. Choose Show/Hide > Show Graph Data Points and zoom in the plot.

Synchronize the External Data with the Tracks

Click the Synchronize External Data button. Either change the Start Date and Time and Stop Date and Time, or move the external data plot to the correct position. For details, see Synchronize Data Manually After Import.

The Plot's Titles

The titles are shown at the left of the plots and vary according to what level the external data have been linked at.

  • If linked to the subject level, the title shows the Arena and Subject names.
  • If linked to the arena level, the title shows the Arena name.
  • If linked to the whole trial, the title is not shown.

Expand your existing system

Already a Noldus user? Ask about upgrade options and additional modules for your current setup.

Noldus is here to assist you throughout the whole process.

shopping_bag
check_circle

Thank you!

We'll get back to you shortly.

error

Please correct the following errors:

error

error

error

error

By clicking Submit, you consent to Noldus processing your data as described in our privacy policy.