def setChartType( self, chartType ):
        """
        Sets the chart type for this scene to the inputed type.
        
        :param      chartType | <XChartScene.Type>
        """
        self._chartType = chartType
        self.setDirty()
        
        # setup default options
        if ( chartType == XChartScene.Type.Pie ):
            self.setShowGrid(False)
            
            self.horizontalRuler().setPadStart(0)
            self.horizontalRuler().setPadEnd(0)
            
        elif ( chartType == XChartScene.Type.Bar ):
            self.setShowGrid(True)
            self.setShowColumns(False)
            self.setShowRows(True)
            
            self.horizontalRuler().setPadStart(1)
            self.horizontalRuler().setPadEnd(1)
            
        else:
            self.setShowGrid(True)
            self.setShowColumns(True)
            self.setShowRows(True)
            
            self.horizontalRuler().setPadStart(0)
            self.horizontalRuler().setPadEnd(0)
        
        if ( not self.signalsBlocked() ):
            self.chartTypeChanged.emit()