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I am having trouble trying to plot solution curves onto a vector field for this certain ODE. I have tried plotting with multiple different initial conditions/ different constants however I keep getting a blank graph. 

eq1 = y'[x] == E^(-y[x])*Cos[y[x]];

sol1b = DSolve[eq1, y[x], x] /. C[1] -> c

   {{y[x] -> 
   InverseFunction[(1 - I) E^((1 + I) #1)
        Hypergeometric2F1[1/2 - I/2, 1, 3/2 - I/2, -E^(2 I #1)] &][
    c + x]}}



vf1 = VectorPlot[{1, E^(-y)*Cos[y]}, {x, -10, 10}, {y, -10, 10},
   VectorScale -> {Large, 1/2, Automatic}];


p2b = Plot[
  Evaluate[Table[y[x] /. sol1b, {c, 0, 10, 1}]], {x, -10, 10}, 
  PlotRange -> All]

Show[vf1, p2b]

This was my latest attempt. The vector field comes out great, it is my p2b plot that is causing problems. I'm guessing this has something to do with InverseFunction, but I really have no idea. I have tried lots of tricks from other posts but nothing seems to be working. Any suggestions ?

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Would you want something like this?

vf1 = VectorPlot[{1, E^(-y)*Cos[y]}, {x, -10, 10}, {y, -10, 10}, 
  VectorScale -> {Large, 1/2, Automatic}, StreamPoints -> Coarse, 
  StreamStyle -> {Red, Thick}]

Mathematica graphics

(Internally, NDSolve is used to numerically compute the solution curves, a.k.a. stream lines. This avoids the apparent branch-switching problems of the symbolic solution.)

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  • $\begingroup$ Great answer (+1), from which I learned a lot. However, it seems to me that VectorPlot has swept problems under the rug, so to speak. Notice, for instance, the discontinuities at y -> -1.5708 and near -5 and -8. Incidentally, the core error in my answer was that I assumed c to be real. $\endgroup$ – bbgodfrey Oct 6 '15 at 18:40
  • $\begingroup$ @bbgodfrey Thanks. Yes, both VectorPlot and StreamPlot deal with equilibria by leaving white space. You kinda have to get used to it, I guess. $\endgroup$ – Michael E2 Oct 6 '15 at 23:43
  • $\begingroup$ @MichaelE2 Thank you! This is a very helpful work-around that I never knew about. $\endgroup$ – sdalke Oct 7 '15 at 19:29

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