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So I am having a similar problem to the one in this question but the solutions therein are of no use.

Consider a basic ContourPlot with an automatic BarLegend

ContourPlot[{Cos[y + x] x y}, {x, 0, 3}, {y, 0, 3}, PlotRange -> All, 
 PlotLegends -> BarLegend[Automatic], 
Epilog -> {{Red, Line[Table[{i, Cos[i]}, {i, 0., 3., .1}]]}}]

which gives the following, nice ContourPlot:

https://imgur.com/KV5kD1m

However, when I try and add a LineLegend for the Epilog, ContourPlot cannot do so automatically. I have tried all suggestions in the link above and none of them work

ContourPlot[{Cos[y + x] x y}, {x, 0, 3}, {y, 0, 3}, PlotRange -> All, 
 PlotLegends -> 
 Column[{BarLegend[Automatic], 
LineLegend[{Directive[Red]}, {"Test"}]}], 
Epilog -> {{Red, Line[Table[{i, Cos[i]}, {i, 0., 3., .1}]]}}]

https://imgur.com/OP9Mzoa

How do I fix this? I want the BarLegend to be automatic, since it provides a nice, simple fit of values. However, even manually I have had no success with BarLegend not evaluating.

(As a sidenote, imgur is not accepting the pictures I have provided. Have put up links, if someone can fix, would be grateful).

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4 Answers 4

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PlotLegends can take a list of legends:

ContourPlot[{Cos[y + x] x y}, {x, 0, 3}, {y, 0, 3}, 
    PlotRange -> All, PlotLegends -> {
        BarLegend[Automatic], 
        Placed[LineLegend[{Directive[Red]}, {"Test"}], After]
        }, 
    Epilog -> {{Red, Line[Table[{i, Cos[i]}, {i, 0., 3., .1}]]}}]

By default one legend will go to the right, and one below, so I used Placed to put both on the right.

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  • $\begingroup$ I swear I tried placing a list in PlotLegends, but I can't see what mistake I made, I believe Column was the problem. Have now amended your comment as the answer. $\endgroup$
    – OldTomMorris
    Aug 8, 2018 at 10:03
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Each plot type allows only specific legends to be used with PlotLegends, for ContourPlot and DensityPlot it is BarLegend. So, it is getting confused when you add LineLegend. (Per Marius, there is a switchover to LineLegend when only specific contours are used, e.g. f == g form of input to ContourPlot.)

The correct way is to use Legended to add the additional legend:

Legended[
 ContourPlot[{Cos[y + x] x y}, {x, 0, 3}, {y, 0, 3}, 
  PlotRange -> All, PlotLegends -> BarLegend[Automatic], 
  Epilog -> {{Red, Line[Table[{i, Cos[i]}, {i, 0., 3., .1}]]}}]
 , 
 LineLegend[{Directive[Red]}, {"Test"}]
]
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  • $\begingroup$ This the one. I just managed to concoct something from Marius' answer and comments and I used Show and Legended. Was about to post an answer when I see your simplified result. Thank you very much :) $\endgroup$
    – OldTomMorris
    Aug 7, 2018 at 16:53
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Here is a work-around using separate ContourPlots:

p1 = ContourPlot[{Cos[y + x] x y}, {x, 0, 3}, {y, 0, 3}, 
  PlotRange -> All, 
  PlotLegends -> BarLegend[Automatic]];

p2 = ContourPlot[y == Cos[x], {x, 0, 3}, {y, 0, 3}, 
  ContourStyle -> Red, 
  PlotLegends -> LineLegend[{"Test"}]];

Show[p1, p2]

Will this be ok?

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8
  • $\begingroup$ Placed is not necessary since Show knows how to combine Legended with legends at the same position, although you can use it to fine tune the positioning. Also, you don't need to specify the color with LineLegend, LineLegend[{"Test"}] does exactly what you want, and you only have to specify the color in one place. $\endgroup$
    – rcollyer
    Aug 7, 2018 at 16:28
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    $\begingroup$ I think both are "correct", but use the one you find most suitable of course :) $\endgroup$
    – Marius Ladegård Meyer
    Aug 7, 2018 at 16:57
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    $\begingroup$ @OldTomMorris I agree with Marius, both are correct, the Legended method, though is a little simpler/less intensive. They both work just finr. $\endgroup$
    – rcollyer
    Aug 7, 2018 at 16:59
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    $\begingroup$ @OldTomMorris actually, Brett's answer is the correct one. Column was causing the confusion. $\endgroup$
    – rcollyer
    Aug 7, 2018 at 17:41
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    $\begingroup$ @rccollyer In that case, I have shifted the answer. Thanks also to you, though. $\endgroup$
    – OldTomMorris
    Aug 8, 2018 at 10:04
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Hacked it. The key was to use LegendLabel to label the BarLegend and then hack it into what I wanted.

ContourPlot[{Cos[y + x] x y}, {x, 0, 3}, {y, 0, 3}, PlotRange -> All, 
PlotLegends -> 
BarLegend[Automatic, 
 LegendLabel -> 
Placed[LineLegend[{Directive[Red]}, {"Test"}], Bottom]], 
Epilog -> {{Red, Line[Table[{i, Cos[i]}, {i, 0., 3., .1}]]}}]

The result is

https://imgur.com/a/2OdeovA

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