Question

This code varies the transparency of markers on a matplotlib base map via the alpha parameter.

myBaseMap.plot(x_values, y_values, 'x', alpha=0.7, c=(1.,0,0))

However, how does one vary the brightness of a marker? I do not want semi-transparent markers because I want the markers to cover the content behind them. Thank you!

Answer 1

My reading of your question is that you would like to know how to get different transparency for line and markers.

One way to do this is to plot the markers using scatter:

myBaseMap.plot(x_values, y_values, alpha=0.7, c=(1.,0,0), zorder=0)
myBaseMap.scatter(x_values, y_values, marker='x', color=(1.,0,0), zorder=1)

Lower zorder numbers are drawn first.

Simple example:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
plt.plot([1,2,3],[3,2,1],alpha=0.25,c=(1.,0,0),zorder=0)
plt.scatter([1,2,3],[3,2,1],marker='x',color=(1.,0,0),zorder=1,s=75,alpha=1.0)