Python matplotlib animation of a constantly updated data feed
Question: I'm trying to make a satellite visualization tool using an animation in
matplotlib. I want to plot a 5-image animation and then constantly update this
animation every time a new image appears.

I could animate the last 5 images like this:

    
    
    from mpl_toolkits.basemap import Basemap
    import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
    import numpy as np
    from matplotlib import animation
    
    fig = plt.figure(figsize=(20,10),frameon=True,tight_layout=True)
    ax = plt.subplot(111, frameon=False)
    
    
    map = Basemap(projection='cyl',resolution = 'i', area_thresh = 0.1,llcrnrlon=-75, llcrnrlat=-42,\
        urcrnrlon=-36, urcrnrlat=-10)
    map.drawlsmask(land_color='white', ocean_color='lightsteelblue', lakes=False)
    map.drawcoastlines(color='grey')
    
    map.drawcountries(color='grey')
    map.drawparallels(np.arange(-80., 81., 10.), labels=[1,0,0,0], fontsize=10)
    map.drawmeridians(np.arange(-180., 181., 10.), labels=[0,0,0,1], fontsize=10)
    map.drawstates()
    map.drawmapboundary()
    
    imgs = []
    
    im = map.imshow(sat1,cmap='Greys',vmin=190, vmax=300,origin='upper')
    imgs.append([im])
    
    im2 = map.imshow(sat2,cmap='Greys',vmin=190, vmax=300,origin='upper')
    imgs.append([im2])
    
    im3 = map.imshow(sat3,cmap='Greys',vmin=190, vmax=300,origin='upper')
    imgs.append([im3])
    
    im4 = map.imshow(sat4,cmap='Greys',vmin=190, vmax=300,origin='upper')
    imgs.append([im4])
    
    im5 = map.imshow(sat5,cmap='Greys',vmin=190, vmax=300,origin='upper')
    imgs.append([im5])
    
    
    ani = animation.ArtistAnimation(fig,imgs, interval=500)
    
    plt.show()
    

I also could display one image and update the image with the newest one, using
`FuncAnimation`. But how can I update the list that `ArtistAnimation`
displays?

I need to `del imgs[0]` and append a new `imshow`. That way I will always
display the latest 5 satellite images.

Is that possible?


Answer: matplotlib is not really suited for such a problem. The GR-framework could be
what you are looking for: <http://gr-framework.org/>

