FAQ#

How do I choose a colormap quickly?#

Use this rule of thumb:

  • Sequential: ordered values (low to high).

  • Diverging: values around a meaningful center.

  • Qualitative: categories.

  • Circular: phase and angle.

Why should I avoid jet?#

jet is not perceptually uniform. It can create visual boundaries that are not present in data.

How do I make plots safer for colorblind readers?#

Assess the colormap first with assess_cmap and review the colorblind simulation panels before finalizing figures.

Do I always need to uniformize a colormap?#

No. Start with assessment, then apply uniformization only if you detect lightness non-linearity, asymmetry, or obvious artifacts.

What scicomap does not do#

  • It is not a replacement for Matplotlib plotting APIs.

  • It does not auto-select a perfect colormap for every domain-specific task.

  • It does not validate scientific correctness of your underlying data model.