Problem applying scheme to graph file

[Kim Ruhl]

I create and save two graphs. In one of them, I change the size of the x-labels to large.

sysuse auto

twoway scatter mpg price, scheme(s2color) name(defaults)
graph save defs, replace

twoway scatter mpg price, scheme(s2color) xlabel(,labsize(large)) name(modified)
graph save mod, replace

The graphs are as I expected. One graph has the larger x-labels.


Next, I load the gph files and apply a new scheme. This scheme changes the x-label size.

The scheme file:

#include stcolor

gsize  tick_label 1

The do file:

clear all

graph use defs, scheme(test)
graph use mod, scheme(test)

The output from the figure created without modification has the x-label size correctly applied from the scheme. The figure created with a modified x-label size does not have the scheme-defined x-label size. It otherwise seems to apply the scheme elements.

Am I doing something wrong? Have I misread the purpose and use of these commands? Thank you for your help.

[Nils Enevoldsen]

You applied the scheme "test", but xlabel(,labsize(large)) took precedence. The scheme provides default options, but doesn't override explicitly set options. The "test" scheme was applied later, but later doesn't imply precedence.

The code

graph use mod, scheme(test)

Is effectively the same as

twoway scatter mpg price, scheme(test) xlabel(,labsize(large))

One solution: you could make a graph recording to modify the xlabel size, and then use -graph use mod, scheme(test) play(recording)-.

[Kim Ruhl]

Nils, thank you for the clarification.