Merge pull request #257 from pikers/plotitem_overlays

`PlotItem` overlays

piker/ui/_axes.py

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 Chart axes graphics and behavior.
 
 """
+import functools
 from typing import List, Tuple, Optional
 from math import floor
 
@@ -33,17 +34,18 @@ _axis_pen = pg.mkPen(hcolor('bracket'))
 
 
 class Axis(pg.AxisItem):
-    """A better axis that sizes tick contents considering font size.
+    '''
+    A better axis that sizes tick contents considering font size.
 
-    """
+    '''
     def __init__(
         self,
         linkedsplits,
         typical_max_str: str = '100 000.000',
         min_tick: int = 2,
         **kwargs
-    ) -> None:
 
+    ) -> None:
         super().__init__(**kwargs)
 
         # XXX: pretty sure this makes things slower
@@ -95,7 +97,12 @@ class PriceAxis(Axis):
 
     # XXX: drop for now since it just eats up h space
 
-    def tickStrings(self, vals, scale, spacing):
+    def tickStrings(
+        self,
+        vals,
+        scale,
+        spacing,
+    ):
 
         # TODO: figure out how to enforce min tick spacing by passing
         # it into the parent type
@@ -131,9 +138,8 @@ class DynamicDateAxis(Axis):
         indexes: List[int],
     ) -> List[str]:
 
-        # try:
         chart = self.linkedsplits.chart
-        bars = chart._arrays['ohlc']
+        bars = chart._arrays[chart.name]
         shm = self.linkedsplits.chart._shm
         first = shm._first.value
 
@@ -156,7 +162,14 @@ class DynamicDateAxis(Axis):
         delay = times[-1] - times[-2]
         return dts.strftime(self.tick_tpl[delay])
 
-    def tickStrings(self, values: List[float], scale, spacing):
+    def tickStrings(
+        self,
+        values: tuple[float],
+        scale,
+        spacing,
+    ):
+        # info = self.tickStrings.cache_info()
+        # print(info)
         return self._indexes_to_timestrs(values)
 
 

piker/ui/_chart.py

@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ High level chart-widget apis.
 
 '''
 from __future__ import annotations
+from functools import partial
+from dataclasses import dataclass
 from typing import Optional
 
 from PyQt5 import QtCore, QtWidgets
@@ -29,7 +31,6 @@ from PyQt5.QtWidgets import (
     QHBoxLayout,
     QVBoxLayout,
     QSplitter,
-    # QSizePolicy,
 )
 import numpy as np
 import pyqtgraph as pg
@@ -61,6 +62,7 @@ from ..data._sharedmem import ShmArray
 from ..log import get_logger
 from ._interaction import ChartView
 from ._forms import FieldsForm
+from ._overlay import PlotItemOverlay
 
 
 log = get_logger(__name__)
@@ -322,17 +324,8 @@ class LinkedSplits(QWidget):
         self.subplots: dict[tuple[str, ...], ChartPlotWidget] = {}
 
         self.godwidget = godwidget
-
-        self.xaxis = DynamicDateAxis(
-            orientation='bottom',
-            linkedsplits=self
-        )
-        # if _xaxis_at == 'bottom':
-        #     self.xaxis.setStyle(showValues=False)
-        #     self.xaxis.hide()
-        # else:
-        #     self.xaxis_ind.setStyle(showValues=False)
-        #     self.xaxis.hide()
+        # placeholder for last appended ``PlotItem``'s bottom axis.
+        self.xaxis_chart = None
 
         self.splitter = QSplitter(QtCore.Qt.Vertical)
         self.splitter.setMidLineWidth(0)
@@ -410,7 +403,6 @@ class LinkedSplits(QWidget):
 
             name=symbol.key,
             array=array,
-            # xaxis=self.xaxis,
             style=style,
             _is_main=True,
 
@@ -420,7 +412,10 @@ class LinkedSplits(QWidget):
         self.chart.addItem(self.cursor)
 
         # axis placement
-        if _xaxis_at == 'bottom':
+        if (
+            _xaxis_at == 'bottom' and
+            'bottom' in self.chart.plotItem.axes
+        ):
             self.chart.hideAxis('bottom')
 
         # style?
@@ -438,7 +433,6 @@ class LinkedSplits(QWidget):
         array: np.ndarray,
 
         array_key: Optional[str] = None,
-        # xaxis: Optional[DynamicDateAxis] = None,
         style: str = 'line',
         _is_main: bool = False,
 
@@ -446,31 +440,28 @@ class LinkedSplits(QWidget):
 
         **cpw_kwargs,
 
-    ) -> 'ChartPlotWidget':
-        '''Add (sub)plots to chart widget by key.
+    ) -> ChartPlotWidget:
+        '''
+        Add (sub)plots to chart widget by key.
 
         '''
         if self.chart is None and not _is_main:
             raise RuntimeError(
                 "A main plot must be created first with `.plot_ohlc_main()`")
 
-        # source of our custom interactions
-        cv = ChartView(name)
-        cv.linkedsplits = self
-
         # use "indicator axis" by default
 
         # TODO: we gotta possibly assign this back
         # to the last subplot on removal of some last subplot
-
         xaxis = DynamicDateAxis(
             orientation='bottom',
             linkedsplits=self
         )
-
-        if self.xaxis:
-            self.xaxis.hide()
-            self.xaxis = xaxis
+        axes = {
+            'right': PriceAxis(linkedsplits=self, orientation='right'),
+            'left': PriceAxis(linkedsplits=self, orientation='left'),
+            'bottom': xaxis,
+        }
 
         qframe = ChartnPane(
             sidepane=sidepane,
@@ -486,15 +477,21 @@ class LinkedSplits(QWidget):
             array=array,
             parent=qframe,
             linkedsplits=self,
-            axisItems={
-                'bottom': xaxis,
-                'right': PriceAxis(linkedsplits=self, orientation='right'),
-                'left': PriceAxis(linkedsplits=self, orientation='left'),
-            },
-            viewBox=cv,
+            axisItems=axes,
             **cpw_kwargs,
         )
 
+        if self.xaxis_chart:
+            # presuming we only want it at the true bottom of all charts.
+            # XXX: uses new api from our ``pyqtgraph`` fork.
+            # https://github.com/pikers/pyqtgraph/tree/plotitemoverlay_onto_pg_master
+            _ = self.xaxis_chart.removeAxis('bottom', unlink=False)
+            assert 'bottom' not in self.xaxis_chart.plotItem.axes
+            self.xaxis_chart = cpw
+
+        if self.xaxis_chart is None:
+            self.xaxis_chart = cpw
+
         qframe.chart = cpw
         qframe.hbox.addWidget(cpw)
 
@@ -510,17 +507,13 @@ class LinkedSplits(QWidget):
         )
         cpw.sidepane = sidepane
 
-        # give viewbox as reference to chart
-        # allowing for kb controls and interactions on **this** widget
-        # (see our custom view mode in `._interactions.py`)
-        cv.chart = cpw
-
         cpw.plotItem.vb.linkedsplits = self
         cpw.setFrameStyle(
             QtWidgets.QFrame.StyledPanel
             # | QtWidgets.QFrame.Plain
         )
 
+        # don't show the little "autoscale" A label.
         cpw.hideButtons()
 
         # XXX: gives us outline on backside of y-axis
@@ -531,15 +524,27 @@ class LinkedSplits(QWidget):
         # comes from ;)
         cpw.setXLink(self.chart)
 
-        # add to cross-hair's known plots
-        self.cursor.add_plot(cpw)
+        add_label = False
+        anchor_at = ('top', 'left')
 
         # draw curve graphics
         if style == 'bar':
-            cpw.draw_ohlc(name, array, array_key=array_key)
+
+            graphics, data_key = cpw.draw_ohlc(
+                name,
+                array,
+                array_key=array_key
+            )
+            self.cursor.contents_labels.add_label(
+                cpw,
+                'ohlc',
+                anchor_at=('top', 'left'),
+                update_func=ContentsLabel.update_from_ohlc,
+            )
 
         elif style == 'line':
-            cpw.draw_curve(
+            add_label = True
+            graphics, data_key = cpw.draw_curve(
                 name,
                 array,
                 array_key=array_key,
@@ -547,7 +552,8 @@ class LinkedSplits(QWidget):
             )
 
         elif style == 'step':
-            cpw.draw_curve(
+            add_label = True
+            graphics, data_key = cpw.draw_curve(
                 name,
                 array,
                 array_key=array_key,
@@ -569,6 +575,22 @@ class LinkedSplits(QWidget):
         else:
             assert style == 'bar', 'main chart must be OHLC'
 
+        # add to cross-hair's known plots
+        # NOTE: add **AFTER** creating the underlying ``PlotItem``s
+        # since we require that global (linked charts wide) axes have
+        # been created!
+        self.cursor.add_plot(cpw)
+
+        if self.cursor and style != 'bar':
+            self.cursor.add_curve_cursor(cpw, graphics)
+
+            if add_label:
+                self.cursor.contents_labels.add_label(
+                    cpw,
+                    data_key,
+                    anchor_at=anchor_at,
+                )
+
         self.resize_sidepanes()
         return cpw
 
@@ -587,6 +609,18 @@ class LinkedSplits(QWidget):
                 cpw.sidepane.setMinimumWidth(sp_w)
                 cpw.sidepane.setMaximumWidth(sp_w)
 
+# import pydantic
+
+# class ArrayScene(pydantic.BaseModel):
+#     '''
+#     Data-AGGRegate: high level API onto multiple (categorized)
+#     ``ShmArray``s with high level processing routines mostly for
+#     graphics summary and display.
+
+#     '''
+#     arrays: dict[str, np.ndarray] = {}
+#     graphics: dict[str, pg.GraphicsObject] = {}
+
 
 class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
     '''
@@ -611,6 +645,10 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
 
     # TODO: can take a ``background`` color setting - maybe there's
     # a better one?
+    def mk_vb(self, name: str) -> ChartView:
+        cv = ChartView(name)
+        cv.linkedsplits = self.linked
+        return cv
 
     def __init__(
         self,
@@ -639,17 +677,31 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
         self.view_color = view_color
         self.pen_color = pen_color
 
+        # NOTE: must be set bfore calling ``.mk_vb()``
+        self.linked = linkedsplits
+
+        # source of our custom interactions
+        self.cv = cv = self.mk_vb(name)
+
         super().__init__(
             background=hcolor(view_color),
+            viewBox=cv,
             # parent=None,
             # plotItem=None,
             # antialias=True,
             **kwargs
         )
+        # give viewbox as reference to chart
+        # allowing for kb controls and interactions on **this** widget
+        # (see our custom view mode in `._interactions.py`)
+        cv.chart = self
+
+        # ensure internal pi matches
+        assert self.cv is self.plotItem.vb
+
         self.useOpenGL(use_open_gl)
         self.name = name
-        self.data_key = data_key
-        self.linked = linkedsplits
+        self.data_key = data_key or name
 
         # scene-local placeholder for book graphics
         # sizing to avoid overlap with data contents
@@ -658,9 +710,10 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
         # self.setViewportMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
         # self._ohlc = array  # readonly view of ohlc data
 
+        # TODO: move to Aggr above XD
         # readonly view of data arrays
         self._arrays = {
-            'ohlc': array,
+            self.data_key: array,
         }
         self._graphics = {}  # registry of underlying graphics
         # registry of overlay curve names
@@ -671,7 +724,6 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
         self._labels = {}  # registry of underlying graphics
         self._ysticks = {}  # registry of underlying graphics
 
-        self._vb = self.plotItem.vb
         self._static_yrange = static_yrange  # for "known y-range style"
         self._view_mode: str = 'follow'
 
@@ -684,16 +736,9 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
         self.showGrid(x=False, y=True, alpha=0.3)
 
         self.default_view()
+        self.cv.enable_auto_yrange()
 
-        # Assign callback for rescaling y-axis automatically
-        # based on data contents and ``ViewBox`` state.
-        # self.sigXRangeChanged.connect(self._set_yrange)
-
-        # for mouse wheel which doesn't seem to emit XRangeChanged
-        self._vb.sigRangeChangedManually.connect(self._set_yrange)
-
-        # for when the splitter(s) are resized
-        self._vb.sigResized.connect(self._set_yrange)
+        self.overlay: PlotItemOverlay = PlotItemOverlay(self.plotItem)
 
     def resume_all_feeds(self):
         for feed in self._feeds.values():
@@ -705,16 +750,16 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
 
     @property
     def view(self) -> ChartView:
-        return self._vb
+        return self.plotItem.vb
 
     def focus(self) -> None:
-        self._vb.setFocus()
+        self.view.setFocus()
 
     def last_bar_in_view(self) -> int:
-        self._arrays['ohlc'][-1]['index']
+        self._arrays[self.name][-1]['index']
 
     def is_valid_index(self, index: int) -> bool:
-        return index >= 0 and index < self._arrays['ohlc'][-1]['index']
+        return index >= 0 and index < self._arrays[self.name][-1]['index']
 
     def _set_xlimits(
         self,
@@ -738,7 +783,7 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
         """Return a range tuple for the bars present in view.
         """
         l, r = self.view_range()
-        array = self._arrays['ohlc']
+        array = self._arrays[self.name]
         lbar = max(l, array[0]['index'])
         rbar = min(r, array[-1]['index'])
         return l, lbar, rbar, r
@@ -750,7 +795,7 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
         """Set the view box to the "default" startup view of the scene.
 
         """
-        xlast = self._arrays['ohlc'][index]['index']
+        xlast = self._arrays[self.name][index]['index']
         begin = xlast - _bars_to_left_in_follow_mode
         end = xlast + _bars_from_right_in_follow_mode
 
@@ -758,12 +803,13 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
         if self._static_yrange == 'axis':
             self._static_yrange = None
 
-        self.plotItem.vb.setXRange(
+        view = self.view
+        view.setXRange(
             min=begin,
             max=end,
             padding=0,
         )
-        self._set_yrange()
+        view._set_yrange()
 
     def increment_view(
         self,
@@ -774,7 +820,7 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
 
         """
         l, r = self.view_range()
-        self._vb.setXRange(
+        self.view.setXRange(
             min=l + 1,
             max=r + 1,
 
@@ -791,11 +837,11 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
 
         array_key: Optional[str] = None,
 
-    ) -> pg.GraphicsObject:
-        """
+    ) -> (pg.GraphicsObject, str):
+        '''
         Draw OHLC datums to chart.
 
-        """
+        '''
         graphics = BarItems(
             self.plotItem,
             pen_color=self.pen_color
@@ -810,17 +856,9 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
 
         data_key = array_key or name
         self._graphics[data_key] = graphics
-
-        self.linked.cursor.contents_labels.add_label(
-            self,
-            'ohlc',
-            anchor_at=('top', 'left'),
-            update_func=ContentsLabel.update_from_ohlc,
-        )
-
         self._add_sticky(name, bg_color='davies')
 
-        return graphics
+        return graphics, data_key
 
     def draw_curve(
         self,
@@ -830,16 +868,18 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
 
         array_key: Optional[str] = None,
         overlay: bool = False,
+        separate_axes: bool = False,
         color: Optional[str] = None,
         add_label: bool = True,
 
         **pdi_kwargs,
 
-    ) -> pg.PlotDataItem:
-        """Draw a "curve" (line plot graphics) for the provided data in
+    ) -> (pg.PlotDataItem, str):
+        '''
+        Draw a "curve" (line plot graphics) for the provided data in
         the input array ``data``.
 
-        """
+        '''
         color = color or self.pen_color or 'default_light'
         pdi_kwargs.update({
             'color': color
@@ -847,10 +887,6 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
 
         data_key = array_key or name
 
-        # pg internals for reference.
-        # curve = pg.PlotDataItem(
-        # curve = pg.PlotCurveItem(
-
         # yah, we wrote our own B)
         curve = FastAppendCurve(
             y=data[data_key],
@@ -881,34 +917,88 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
         # and is disastrous for performance.
         # curve.setCacheMode(QtWidgets.QGraphicsItem.ItemCoordinateCache)
 
-        self.addItem(curve)
-
         # register curve graphics and backing array for name
         self._graphics[name] = curve
-        self._arrays[data_key or name] = data
+        self._arrays[data_key] = data
 
         if overlay:
-            anchor_at = ('bottom', 'left')
+            # anchor_at = ('bottom', 'left')
             self._overlays[name] = None
 
+            if separate_axes:
+
+                # Custom viewbox impl
+                cv = self.mk_vb(name)
+
+                def maxmin():
+                    return self.maxmin(name=data_key)
+
+                # ensure view maxmin is computed from correct array
+                # cv._maxmin = partial(self.maxmin, name=data_key)
+
+                cv._maxmin = maxmin
+
+                cv.chart = self
+
+                # xaxis = DynamicDateAxis(
+                #     orientation='bottom',
+                #     linkedsplits=self.linked,
+                # )
+                yaxis = PriceAxis(
+                    orientation='right',
+                    linkedsplits=self.linked,
+                )
+
+                plotitem = pg.PlotItem(
+                    parent=self.plotItem,
+                    name=name,
+                    enableMenu=False,
+                    viewBox=cv,
+                    axisItems={
+                        # 'bottom': xaxis,
+                        'right': yaxis,
+                    },
+                    default_axes=[],
+                )
+                # plotitem.setAxisItems(
+                #     add_to_layout=False,
+                #     axisItems={
+                #         'bottom': xaxis,
+                #         'right': yaxis,
+                #     },
+                # )
+                # plotite.hideAxis('right')
+                # plotite.hideAxis('bottom')
+                plotitem.addItem(curve)
+                cv.enable_auto_yrange()
+
+                # config
+                # plotitem.setAutoVisible(y=True)
+                # plotitem.enableAutoRange(axis='y')
+                plotitem.hideButtons()
+
+                self.overlay.add_plotitem(
+                    plotitem,
+                    # only link x-axes,
+                    link_axes=(0,),
+                )
+
             else:
-            anchor_at = ('top', 'left')
+                # this intnernally calls `PlotItem.addItem()` on the
+                # graphics object
+                self.addItem(curve)
+        else:
+            # this intnernally calls `PlotItem.addItem()` on the
+            # graphics object
+            self.addItem(curve)
+
+            # anchor_at = ('top', 'left')
 
             # TODO: something instead of stickies for overlays
             # (we need something that avoids clutter on x-axis).
             self._add_sticky(name, bg_color=color)
 
-        if self.linked.cursor:
-            self.linked.cursor.add_curve_cursor(self, curve)
-
-            if add_label:
-                self.linked.cursor.contents_labels.add_label(
-                    self,
-                    data_key or name,
-                    anchor_at=anchor_at
-                )
-
-        return curve
+        return curve, data_key
 
     # TODO: make this a ctx mngr
     def _add_sticky(
@@ -949,7 +1039,7 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
         '''Update the named internal graphics from ``array``.
 
         '''
-        self._arrays['ohlc'] = array
+        self._arrays[self.name] = array
         graphics = self._graphics[graphics_name]
         graphics.update_from_array(array, **kwargs)
         return graphics
@@ -970,7 +1060,7 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
         data_key = array_key or graphics_name
 
         if graphics_name not in self._overlays:
-            self._arrays['ohlc'] = array
+            self._arrays[self.name] = array
         else:
             self._arrays[data_key] = array
 
@@ -992,102 +1082,6 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
 
         return curve
 
-    def _set_yrange(
-        self,
-        *,
-
-        yrange: Optional[tuple[float, float]] = None,
-        range_margin: float = 0.06,
-        bars_range: Optional[tuple[int, int, int, int]] = None,
-
-        # flag to prevent triggering sibling charts from the same linked
-        # set from recursion errors.
-        autoscale_linked_plots: bool = True,
-
-    ) -> None:
-        '''Set the viewable y-range based on embedded data.
-
-        This adds auto-scaling like zoom on the scroll wheel such
-        that data always fits nicely inside the current view of the
-        data set.
-
-        '''
-        set_range = True
-
-        if self._static_yrange == 'axis':
-            set_range = False
-
-        elif self._static_yrange is not None:
-            ylow, yhigh = self._static_yrange
-
-        elif yrange is not None:
-            ylow, yhigh = yrange
-
-        else:
-            # Determine max, min y values in viewable x-range from data.
-            # Make sure min bars/datums on screen is adhered.
-
-            l, lbar, rbar, r = bars_range or self.bars_range()
-
-            if autoscale_linked_plots:
-                # avoid recursion by sibling plots
-                linked = self.linked
-                plots = list(linked.subplots.copy().values())
-                main = linked.chart
-                if main:
-                    plots.append(main)
-
-                for chart in plots:
-                    if chart and not chart._static_yrange:
-                        chart._set_yrange(
-                            bars_range=(l, lbar, rbar, r),
-                            autoscale_linked_plots=False,
-                        )
-
-            # TODO: logic to check if end of bars in view
-            # extra = view_len - _min_points_to_show
-            # begin = self._arrays['ohlc'][0]['index'] - extra
-            # # end = len(self._arrays['ohlc']) - 1 + extra
-            # end = self._arrays['ohlc'][-1]['index'] - 1 + extra
-
-            # bars_len = rbar - lbar
-            # log.debug(
-            #     f"\nl: {l}, lbar: {lbar}, rbar: {rbar}, r: {r}\n"
-            #     f"view_len: {view_len}, bars_len: {bars_len}\n"
-            #     f"begin: {begin}, end: {end}, extra: {extra}"
-            # )
-
-            a = self._arrays['ohlc']
-            ifirst = a[0]['index']
-            bars = a[lbar - ifirst:rbar - ifirst + 1]
-
-            if not len(bars):
-                # likely no data loaded yet or extreme scrolling?
-                log.error(f"WTF bars_range = {lbar}:{rbar}")
-                return
-
-            if self.data_key != self.linked.symbol.key:
-                bars = bars[self.data_key]
-                ylow = np.nanmin(bars)
-                yhigh = np.nanmax(bars)
-                # print(f'{(ylow, yhigh)}')
-            else:
-                # just the std ohlc bars
-                ylow = np.nanmin(bars['low'])
-                yhigh = np.nanmax(bars['high'])
-
-        if set_range:
-            # view margins: stay within a % of the "true range"
-            diff = yhigh - ylow
-            ylow = ylow - (diff * range_margin)
-            yhigh = yhigh + (diff * range_margin)
-
-            self.setLimits(
-                yMin=ylow,
-                yMax=yhigh,
-            )
-            self.setYRange(ylow, yhigh)
-
     # def _label_h(self, yhigh: float, ylow: float) -> float:
     #     # compute contents label "height" in view terms
     #     # to avoid having data "contents" overlap with them
@@ -1140,3 +1134,59 @@ class ChartPlotWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
             return ohlc['index'][indexes][-1]
         else:
             return ohlc['index'][-1]
+
+    def maxmin(
+        self,
+        name: Optional[str] = None,
+        bars_range: Optional[tuple[int, int, int, int]] = None,
+
+    ) -> tuple[float, float]:
+        '''
+        Return the max and min y-data values "in view".
+
+        If ``bars_range`` is provided use that range.
+
+        '''
+        l, lbar, rbar, r = bars_range or self.bars_range()
+        # TODO: logic to check if end of bars in view
+        # extra = view_len - _min_points_to_show
+        # begin = self._arrays['ohlc'][0]['index'] - extra
+        # # end = len(self._arrays['ohlc']) - 1 + extra
+        # end = self._arrays['ohlc'][-1]['index'] - 1 + extra
+
+        # bars_len = rbar - lbar
+        # log.debug(
+        #     f"\nl: {l}, lbar: {lbar}, rbar: {rbar}, r: {r}\n"
+        #     f"view_len: {view_len}, bars_len: {bars_len}\n"
+        #     f"begin: {begin}, end: {end}, extra: {extra}"
+        # )
+
+        a = self._arrays[name or self.name]
+        ifirst = a[0]['index']
+        bars = a[lbar - ifirst:rbar - ifirst + 1]
+
+        if not len(bars):
+            # likely no data loaded yet or extreme scrolling?
+            log.error(f"WTF bars_range = {lbar}:{rbar}")
+            return
+
+        if (
+            self.data_key == self.linked.symbol.key
+        ):
+            # ohlc sampled bars hi/lo lookup
+            ylow = np.nanmin(bars['low'])
+            yhigh = np.nanmax(bars['high'])
+
+        else:
+            try:
+                view = bars[name or self.data_key]
+            except:
+                breakpoint()
+            # if self.data_key != 'volume':
+            # else:
+            #     view = bars
+            ylow = np.nanmin(view)
+            yhigh = np.nanmax(view)
+            # print(f'{(ylow, yhigh)}')
+
+        return ylow, yhigh

piker/ui/_cursor.py

@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ class ContentsLabels:
     ) -> ContentsLabel:
 
         label = ContentsLabel(
-            view=chart._vb,
+            view=chart.view,
             anchor_at=anchor_at,
         )
         self._labels.append(
@@ -418,6 +418,9 @@ class Cursor(pg.GraphicsObject):
         # keep x-axis right below main chart
         plot_index = -1 if _xaxis_at == 'bottom' else 0
 
+        # ONLY create an x-axis label for the cursor
+        # if this plot owns the 'bottom' axis.
+        if 'bottom' in plot.plotItem.axes:
             self.xaxis_label = XAxisLabel(
                 parent=self.plots[plot_index].getAxis('bottom'),
                 opacity=_ch_label_opac,
@@ -435,7 +438,7 @@ class Cursor(pg.GraphicsObject):
         # the current sample under the mouse
         cursor = LineDot(
             curve,
-            index=plot._arrays['ohlc'][-1]['index'],
+            index=plot._arrays[plot.name][-1]['index'],
             plot=plot
         )
         plot.addItem(cursor)
@@ -526,6 +529,7 @@ class Cursor(pg.GraphicsObject):
                     cursor.setIndex(ix)
 
                 # update the label on the bottom of the crosshair
+                if 'bottom' in plot.plotItem.axes:
                     self.xaxis_label.update_label(
 
                         # XXX: requires:

piker/ui/_display.py

@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ def update_fsp_chart(
         array,
         array_key=array_key or graphics_name,
     )
-    chart._set_yrange()
+    chart.cv._set_yrange()
 
     # XXX: re: ``array_key``: fsp func names must be unique meaning we
     # can't have duplicates of the underlying data even if multiple
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ def chart_maxmin(
     # https://arxiv.org/abs/cs/0610046
     # https://github.com/lemire/pythonmaxmin
 
-    array = chart._arrays['ohlc']
+    array = chart._arrays[chart.name]
     ifirst = array[0]['index']
 
     last_bars_range = chart.bars_range()
@@ -212,6 +212,7 @@ async def update_chart_from_quotes(
 
     if vlm_chart:
         vlm_sticky = vlm_chart._ysticks['volume']
+        vlm_view = vlm_chart.view
 
     maxmin = partial(chart_maxmin, chart, vlm_chart)
 
@@ -248,6 +249,7 @@ async def update_chart_from_quotes(
     tick_margin = 3 * tick_size
 
     chart.show()
+    view = chart.view
     last_quote = time.time()
 
     async for quotes in stream:
@@ -295,8 +297,10 @@ async def update_chart_from_quotes(
                     mx_vlm_in_view != last_mx_vlm or
                     mx_vlm_in_view > last_mx_vlm
                 ):
-                    # print(f'mx vlm: {last_mx_vlm} -> {mx_vlm_in_view}')
-                    vlm_chart._set_yrange(yrange=(0, mx_vlm_in_view * 1.375))
+                    print(f'mx vlm: {last_mx_vlm} -> {mx_vlm_in_view}')
+                    vlm_view._set_yrange(
+                        yrange=(0, mx_vlm_in_view * 1.375)
+                    )
                     last_mx_vlm = mx_vlm_in_view
 
             ticks_frame = quote.get('ticks', ())
@@ -412,9 +416,12 @@ async def update_chart_from_quotes(
                     l1.bid_label.update_fields({'level': price, 'size': size})
 
             # check for y-range re-size
-            if (mx > last_mx) or (mn < last_mn):
-                # print(f'new y range: {(mn, mx)}')
-                chart._set_yrange(
+            if (
+                (mx > last_mx) or (mn < last_mn)
+                and not chart._static_yrange == 'axis'
+            ):
+                print(f'new y range: {(mn, mx)}')
+                view._set_yrange(
                     yrange=(mn, mx),
                     # TODO: we should probably scale
                     # the view margin based on the size
@@ -436,6 +443,7 @@ async def update_chart_from_quotes(
                     name,
                     array_key=name,
                 )
+                subchart.cv._set_yrange()
 
                 # TODO: all overlays on all subplots..
 
@@ -447,6 +455,7 @@ async def update_chart_from_quotes(
                     curve_name,
                     array_key=curve_name,
                 )
+                # chart._set_yrange()
 
 
 def maybe_mk_fsp_shm(
@@ -790,7 +799,7 @@ async def update_chart_from_fsp(
             level_line(chart, 70, orient_v='bottom')
             level_line(chart, 80, orient_v='top')
 
-        chart._set_yrange()
+        chart.cv._set_yrange()
         done()  # status updates
 
         profiler(f'fsp:{func_name} starting update loop')
@@ -981,7 +990,7 @@ async def maybe_open_vlm_display(
             )
 
             # size view to data once at outset
-            chart._set_yrange()
+            chart.cv._set_yrange()
 
             yield chart
 
@@ -1070,7 +1079,7 @@ async def display_symbol_data(
                 )
 
         # size view to data once at outset
-        chart._set_yrange()
+        chart.cv._set_yrange()
 
         # TODO: a data view api that makes this less shit
         chart._shm = ohlcv

piker/ui/_editors.py

@@ -342,7 +342,8 @@ class SelectRect(QtGui.QGraphicsRectItem):
         ixmn, ixmx = round(xmn), round(xmx)
         nbars = ixmx - ixmn + 1
 
-        data = self._chart._arrays['ohlc'][ixmn:ixmx]
+        chart = self._chart
+        data = chart._arrays[chart.name][ixmn:ixmx]
 
         if len(data):
             std = data['close'].std()

piker/ui/_interaction.py

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 Chart view box primitives
 
 """
+from __future__ import annotations
 from contextlib import asynccontextmanager
 import time
 from typing import Optional, Callable
@@ -155,6 +156,7 @@ async def handle_viewmode_kb_inputs(
             # View modes
             if key == Qt.Key_R:
 
+                # TODO: set this for all subplots
                 # edge triggered default view activation
                 view.chart.default_view()
 
@@ -332,12 +334,23 @@ class ChartView(ViewBox):
     '''
     mode_name: str = 'view'
 
+    # "relay events" for making overlaid views work.
+    # NOTE: these MUST be defined here (and can't be monkey patched
+    # on later) due to signal construction requiring refs to be
+    # in place during the run of meta-class machinery.
+    mouseDragEventRelay = QtCore.Signal(object, object, object)
+    wheelEventRelay = QtCore.Signal(object, object, object)
+
+    event_relay_source: 'Optional[ViewBox]' = None
+    relays: dict[str, Signal] = {}
+
     def __init__(
         self,
 
         name: str,
 
         parent: pg.PlotItem = None,
+        static_yrange: Optional[tuple[float, float]] = None,
         **kwargs,
 
     ):
@@ -350,8 +363,15 @@ class ChartView(ViewBox):
             **kwargs
         )
 
+        # for "known y-range style"
+        self._static_yrange = static_yrange
+        self._maxmin = None
+
         # disable vertical scrolling
-        self.setMouseEnabled(x=True, y=False)
+        self.setMouseEnabled(
+            x=True,
+            y=True,
+        )
 
         self.linkedsplits = None
         self._chart: 'ChartPlotWidget' = None  # noqa
@@ -398,8 +418,15 @@ class ChartView(ViewBox):
     def chart(self, chart: 'ChartPlotWidget') -> None:  # type: ignore # noqa
         self._chart = chart
         self.select_box.chart = chart
+        if self._maxmin is None:
+            self._maxmin = chart.maxmin
 
-    def wheelEvent(self, ev, axis=None):
+    def wheelEvent(
+        self,
+        ev,
+        axis=None,
+        relayed_from: ChartView = None,
+    ):
         '''Override "center-point" location for scrolling.
 
         This is an override of the ``ViewBox`` method simply changing
@@ -424,7 +451,7 @@ class ChartView(ViewBox):
             log.debug("Max zoom bruh...")
             return
 
-        if ev.delta() < 0 and vl >= len(chart._arrays['ohlc']) + 666:
+        if ev.delta() < 0 and vl >= len(chart._arrays[chart.name]) + 666:
             log.debug("Min zoom bruh...")
             return
 
@@ -432,6 +459,27 @@ class ChartView(ViewBox):
         s = 1.015 ** (ev.delta() * -1 / 20)  # self.state['wheelScaleFactor'])
         s = [(None if m is False else s) for m in mask]
 
+        if (
+            # zoom happened on axis
+            axis == 1
+
+            # if already in axis zoom mode then keep it
+            or self.chart._static_yrange == 'axis'
+        ):
+            self.chart._static_yrange = 'axis'
+            self.setLimits(yMin=None, yMax=None)
+
+            # print(scale_y)
+            # pos = ev.pos()
+            # lastPos = ev.lastPos()
+            # dif = pos - lastPos
+            # dif = dif * -1
+            center = Point(fn.invertQTransform(self.childGroup.transform()).map(ev.pos()))
+            # scale_y = 1.3 ** (center.y() * -1 / 20)
+            self.scaleBy(s, center)
+
+        else:
+
             # center = pg.Point(
             #     fn.invertQTransform(self.childGroup.transform()).map(ev.pos())
             # )
@@ -456,7 +504,7 @@ class ChartView(ViewBox):
 
             end_of_l1 = pg.Point(
                 round(
-                chart._vb.mapToView(
+                    chart.cv.mapToView(
                         pg.Point(r_axis_x - chart._max_l1_line_len)
                         # QPointF(chart._max_l1_line_len, 0)
                     ).x()
@@ -464,7 +512,6 @@ class ChartView(ViewBox):
             )  # .x()
 
             # self.state['viewRange'][0][1] = end_of_l1
-
             # focal = pg.Point((last_bar.x() + end_of_l1)/2)
 
             focal = min(
@@ -476,23 +523,25 @@ class ChartView(ViewBox):
 
             self._resetTarget()
             self.scaleBy(s, focal)
-        ev.accept()
             self.sigRangeChangedManually.emit(mask)
+            ev.accept()
 
     def mouseDragEvent(
         self,
         ev,
         axis: Optional[int] = None,
+        relayed_from: ChartView = None,
+
     ) -> None:
-        #  if axis is specified, event will only affect that axis.
-        ev.accept()  # we accept all buttons
-        button = ev.button()
 
         pos = ev.pos()
         lastPos = ev.lastPos()
         dif = pos - lastPos
         dif = dif * -1
 
+        # NOTE: if axis is specified, event will only affect that axis.
+        button = ev.button()
+
         # Ignore axes if mouse is disabled
         mouseEnabled = np.array(self.state['mouseEnabled'], dtype=np.float)
         mask = mouseEnabled.copy()
@@ -500,21 +549,28 @@ class ChartView(ViewBox):
             mask[1-axis] = 0.0
 
         # Scale or translate based on mouse button
-        if button & (QtCore.Qt.LeftButton | QtCore.Qt.MidButton):
-
+        if button & (
+            QtCore.Qt.LeftButton | QtCore.Qt.MidButton
+        ):
             # zoom y-axis ONLY when click-n-drag on it
-            if axis == 1:
-                # set a static y range special value on chart widget to
-                # prevent sizing to data in view.
-                self.chart._static_yrange = 'axis'
+            # if axis == 1:
+            #     # set a static y range special value on chart widget to
+            #     # prevent sizing to data in view.
+            #     self.chart._static_yrange = 'axis'
 
-                scale_y = 1.3 ** (dif.y() * -1 / 20)
-                self.setLimits(yMin=None, yMax=None)
+            #     scale_y = 1.3 ** (dif.y() * -1 / 20)
+            #     self.setLimits(yMin=None, yMax=None)
 
-                # print(scale_y)
-                self.scaleBy((0, scale_y))
+            #     # print(scale_y)
+            #     self.scaleBy((0, scale_y))
 
-            if self.state['mouseMode'] == ViewBox.RectMode:
+            # SELECTION MODE
+            if (
+                self.state['mouseMode'] == ViewBox.RectMode
+                and axis is None
+            ):
+                # XXX: WHY
+                ev.accept()
 
                 down_pos = ev.buttonDownPos()
 
@@ -523,23 +579,36 @@ class ChartView(ViewBox):
 
                     self.select_box.mouse_drag_released(down_pos, pos)
 
-                    # ax = QtCore.QRectF(down_pos, pos)
-                    # ax = self.childGroup.mapRectFromParent(ax)
-                    # print(ax)
+                    ax = QtCore.QRectF(down_pos, pos)
+                    ax = self.childGroup.mapRectFromParent(ax)
 
                     # this is the zoom transform cmd
-                    # self.showAxRect(ax)
+                    self.showAxRect(ax)
+
+                    # axis history tracking
+                    self.axHistoryPointer += 1
+                    self.axHistory = self.axHistory[
+                        :self.axHistoryPointer] + [ax]
 
-                    # self.axHistoryPointer += 1
-                    # self.axHistory = self.axHistory[
-                    #     :self.axHistoryPointer] + [ax]
                 else:
+                    print('drag finish?')
                     self.select_box.set_pos(down_pos, pos)
 
                     # update shape of scale box
                     # self.updateScaleBox(ev.buttonDownPos(), ev.pos())
+                    self.updateScaleBox(
+                        down_pos,
+                        ev.pos(),
+                    )
+
+            # PANNING MODE
             else:
-                # default bevavior: click to pan view
+                # XXX: WHY
+                ev.accept()
+
+                if axis == 1:
+                    self.chart._static_yrange = 'axis'
+
                 tr = self.childGroup.transform()
                 tr = fn.invertQTransform(tr)
                 tr = tr.map(dif*mask) - tr.map(Point(0, 0))
@@ -554,10 +623,9 @@ class ChartView(ViewBox):
 
                 self.sigRangeChangedManually.emit(self.state['mouseEnabled'])
 
+        # WEIRD "RIGHT-CLICK CENTER ZOOM" MODE
         elif button & QtCore.Qt.RightButton:
 
-            # right click zoom to center behaviour
-
             if self.state['aspectLocked'] is not False:
                 mask[0] = 0
 
@@ -577,6 +645,9 @@ class ChartView(ViewBox):
             self.scaleBy(x=x, y=y, center=center)
             self.sigRangeChangedManually.emit(self.state['mouseEnabled'])
 
+            # XXX: WHY
+            ev.accept()
+
     # def mouseClickEvent(self, event: QtCore.QEvent) -> None:
     #      '''This routine is rerouted to an async handler.
     #      '''
@@ -591,3 +662,107 @@ class ChartView(ViewBox):
         '''This routine is rerouted to an async handler.
         '''
         pass
+
+    def _set_yrange(
+        self,
+        *,
+
+        yrange: Optional[tuple[float, float]] = None,
+        range_margin: float = 0.06,
+        bars_range: Optional[tuple[int, int, int, int]] = None,
+
+        # flag to prevent triggering sibling charts from the same linked
+        # set from recursion errors.
+        autoscale_linked_plots: bool = True,
+        autoscale_overlays: bool = False,
+
+    ) -> None:
+        '''
+        Set the viewable y-range based on embedded data.
+
+        This adds auto-scaling like zoom on the scroll wheel such
+        that data always fits nicely inside the current view of the
+        data set.
+
+        '''
+        set_range = True
+        chart = self._chart
+
+        # view has been set in 'axis' mode
+        # meaning it can be panned and zoomed
+        # arbitrarily on the y-axis:
+        # - disable autoranging
+        # - remove any y range limits
+        if chart._static_yrange == 'axis':
+            set_range = False
+            self.setLimits(yMin=None, yMax=None)
+
+        # static y-range has been set likely by
+        # a specialized FSP configuration.
+        elif chart._static_yrange is not None:
+            ylow, yhigh = chart._static_yrange
+
+        # range passed in by caller, usually a
+        # maxmin detection algos inside the
+        # display loop for re-draw efficiency.
+        elif yrange is not None:
+            ylow, yhigh = yrange
+
+        # calculate max, min y values in viewable x-range from data.
+        # Make sure min bars/datums on screen is adhered.
+        else:
+            br = bars_range or chart.bars_range()
+
+            # TODO: maybe should be a method on the
+            # chart widget/item?
+            if autoscale_linked_plots:
+                # avoid recursion by sibling plots
+                linked = self.linkedsplits
+                plots = list(linked.subplots.copy().values())
+                main = linked.chart
+                if main:
+                    plots.append(main)
+
+                for chart in plots:
+                    if chart and not chart._static_yrange:
+                        chart.cv._set_yrange(
+                            bars_range=br,
+                            autoscale_linked_plots=False,
+                        )
+
+        if set_range:
+            ylow, yhigh = self._maxmin()
+
+            # view margins: stay within a % of the "true range"
+            diff = yhigh - ylow
+            ylow = ylow - (diff * range_margin)
+            yhigh = yhigh + (diff * range_margin)
+
+            # XXX: this often needs to be unset
+            # to get different view modes to operate
+            # correctly!
+            self.setLimits(
+                yMin=ylow,
+                yMax=yhigh,
+            )
+            self.setYRange(ylow, yhigh)
+
+    def enable_auto_yrange(
+        vb: ChartView,
+
+    ) -> None:
+        '''
+        Assign callback for rescaling y-axis automatically
+        based on data contents and ``ViewBox`` state.
+
+        '''
+        vb.sigXRangeChanged.connect(vb._set_yrange)
+        # mouse wheel doesn't emit XRangeChanged
+        vb.sigRangeChangedManually.connect(vb._set_yrange)
+        vb.sigResized.connect(vb._set_yrange)  # splitter(s) resizing
+
+    def disable_auto_yrange(
+        self,
+    ) -> None:
+
+        self._chart._static_yrange = 'axis'

piker/ui/_overlay.py

@@ -0,0 +1,631 @@
+# piker: trading gear for hackers
+# Copyright (C) Tyler Goodlet (in stewardship for pikers)
+
+# This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+# it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+# the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+# (at your option) any later version.
+
+# This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+# but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+# MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+# GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+# along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+'''
+Charting overlay helpers.
+
+'''
+from typing import Callable, Optional
+
+from pyqtgraph.Qt.QtCore import (
+    # QObject,
+    # Signal,
+    Qt,
+    # QEvent,
+)
+
+from pyqtgraph.graphicsItems.AxisItem import AxisItem
+from pyqtgraph.graphicsItems.ViewBox import ViewBox
+from pyqtgraph.graphicsItems.GraphicsWidget import GraphicsWidget
+from pyqtgraph.graphicsItems.PlotItem.PlotItem import PlotItem
+from pyqtgraph.Qt.QtCore import QObject, Signal, QEvent
+from pyqtgraph.Qt.QtWidgets import QGraphicsGridLayout, QGraphicsLinearLayout
+
+from ._interaction import ChartView
+
+__all__ = ["PlotItemOverlay"]
+
+
+# Define the layout "position" indices as to be passed
+# to a ``QtWidgets.QGraphicsGridlayout.addItem()`` call:
+# https://doc.qt.io/qt-5/qgraphicsgridlayout.html#addItem
+# This was pulled from the internals of ``PlotItem.setAxisItem()``.
+_axes_layout_indices: dict[str] = {
+    # row incremented axes
+    'top': (1, 1),
+    'bottom': (3, 1),
+
+    # view is @ (2, 1)
+
+    # column incremented axes
+    'left': (2, 0),
+    'right': (2, 2),
+}
+# NOTE: To clarify this indexing, ``PlotItem.__init__()`` makes a grid
+# with dimensions 4x3 and puts the ``ViewBox`` at postiion (2, 1) (aka
+# row=2, col=1) in the grid layout since row (0, 1) is reserved for
+# a title label and row 1 is for any potential "top" axis. Column 1
+# is the "middle" (since 3 columns) and is where the plot/vb is placed.
+
+
+class ComposedGridLayout:
+    '''
+    List-like interface to managing a sequence of overlayed
+    ``PlotItem``s in the form:
+
+    |    |     |    |    | top0     |    |    |     |    |
+    |    |     |    |    | top1     |    |    |     |    |
+    |    |     |    |    | ...      |    |    |     |    |
+    |    |     |    |    | topN     |    |    |     |    |
+    | lN | ... | l1 | l0 | ViewBox  | r0 | r1 | ... | rN |
+    |    |     |    |    | bottom0  |    |    |     |    |
+    |    |     |    |    | bottom1  |    |    |     |    |
+    |    |     |    |    | ...      |    |    |     |    |
+    |    |     |    |    | bottomN  |    |    |     |    |
+
+    Where the index ``i`` in the sequence specifies the index
+    ``<axis_name>i`` in the layout.
+
+    The ``item: PlotItem`` passed to the constructor's grid layout is
+    used verbatim as the "main plot" who's view box is give precedence
+    for input handling. The main plot's axes are removed from it's
+    layout and placed in the surrounding exterior layouts to allow for
+    re-ordering if desired.
+
+    '''
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        item: PlotItem,
+        grid: QGraphicsGridLayout,
+        reverse: bool = False,  # insert items to the "center"
+
+    ) -> None:
+        self.items: list[PlotItem] = []
+        # self.grid = grid
+        self.reverse = reverse
+
+        # TODO: use a ``bidict`` here?
+        self._pi2axes: dict[
+            int,
+            dict[str, AxisItem],
+        ] = {}
+
+        self._axes2pi: dict[
+            AxisItem,
+            dict[str, PlotItem],
+        ] = {}
+
+        # TODO: better name?
+        # construct surrounding layouts for placing outer axes and
+        # their legends and title labels.
+        self.sides: dict[
+            str,
+            tuple[QGraphicsLinearLayout, list[AxisItem]]
+        ] = {}
+
+        for name, pos in _axes_layout_indices.items():
+            layout = QGraphicsLinearLayout()
+            self.sides[name] = (layout, [])
+
+            layout.setContentsMargins(0, 0, 0, 0)
+            layout.setSpacing(0)
+
+            if name in ('top', 'bottom'):
+                orient = Qt.Vertical
+            elif name in ('left', 'right'):
+                orient = Qt.Horizontal
+
+            layout.setOrientation(orient)
+
+        self.insert(0, item)
+
+        # insert surrounding linear layouts into the parent pi's layout
+        # such that additional axes can be appended arbitrarily without
+        # having to expand or resize the parent's grid layout.
+        for name, (linlayout, axes) in self.sides.items():
+
+            # TODO: do we need this?
+            # axis should have been removed during insert above
+            index = _axes_layout_indices[name]
+            axis = item.layout.itemAt(*index)
+            if axis and axis.isVisible():
+                assert linlayout.itemAt(0) is axis
+
+            # item.layout.removeItem(axis)
+            item.layout.addItem(linlayout, *index)
+            layout = item.layout.itemAt(*index)
+            assert layout is linlayout
+
+    def _register_item(
+        self,
+        index: int,
+        plotitem: PlotItem,
+
+    ) -> None:
+        for name, axis_info in plotitem.axes.items():
+            axis = axis_info['item']
+            # register this plot's (maybe re-placed) axes for lookup.
+            self._pi2axes.setdefault(index, {})[name] = axis
+            self._axes2pi.setdefault(index, {})[name] = plotitem
+
+        # enter plot into list for index tracking
+        self.items.insert(index, plotitem)
+
+    def insert(
+        self,
+        index: int,
+        plotitem: PlotItem,
+
+    ) -> (int, int):
+        '''
+        Place item at index by inserting all axes into the grid
+        at list-order appropriate position.
+
+        '''
+        if index < 0:
+            raise ValueError('`insert()` only supports an index >= 0')
+
+        # add plot's axes in sequence to the embedded linear layouts
+        # for each "side" thus avoiding graphics collisions.
+        for name, axis_info in plotitem.axes.copy().items():
+            linlayout, axes = self.sides[name]
+            axis = axis_info['item']
+
+            if axis in axes:
+                # TODO: re-order using ``.pop()`` ?
+                ValueError(f'{axis} is already in {name} layout!?')
+
+            # linking sanity
+            axis_view = axis.linkedView()
+            assert axis_view is plotitem.vb
+
+            if (
+                not axis.isVisible()
+
+                # XXX: we never skip moving the axes for the *first*
+                # plotitem inserted (even if not shown) since we need to
+                # move all the hidden axes into linear sub-layouts for
+                # that "central" plot in the overlay. Also if we don't
+                # do it there's weird geomoetry calc offsets that make
+                # view coords slightly off somehow .. smh
+                and not len(self.items) == 0
+            ):
+                continue
+
+            # XXX: Remove old axis? No, turns out we don't need this?
+            # DON'T unlink it since we the original ``ViewBox``
+            # to still drive it B)
+            # popped = plotitem.removeAxis(name, unlink=False)
+            # assert axis is popped
+
+            # invert insert index for layouts which are
+            # not-left-to-right, top-to-bottom insert oriented
+            if name in ('top', 'left'):
+                index = min(len(axes) - index, 0)
+                assert index >= 0
+
+            linlayout.insertItem(index, axis)
+            axes.insert(index, axis)
+
+        self._register_item(index, plotitem)
+
+        return index
+
+    def append(
+        self,
+        item: PlotItem,
+
+    ) -> (int, int):
+        '''
+        Append item's axes at indexes which put its axes "outside"
+        previously overlayed entries.
+
+        '''
+        # for left and bottom axes we have to first remove
+        # items and re-insert to maintain a list-order.
+        return self.insert(len(self.items), item)
+
+    def get_axis(
+        self,
+        plot: PlotItem,
+        name: str,
+
+    ) -> AxisItem:
+        '''
+        Retrieve the named axis for overlayed ``plot``.
+
+        '''
+        index = self.items.index(plot)
+        return self._pi2axes[index][name]
+
+    def pop(
+        self,
+        item: PlotItem,
+
+    ) -> PlotItem:
+        '''
+        Remove item and restack all axes in list-order.
+
+        '''
+        raise NotImplementedError
+
+
+# Unimplemented features TODO:
+# - 'A' (autobtn) should relay to all views
+# - context menu single handler + relay?
+# - layout unwind and re-pack for 'left' and 'top' axes
+# - add labels to layout if detected in source ``PlotItem``
+
+# UX nice-to-have TODO:
+# - optional "focussed" view box support for view boxes
+#   that have custom input handlers (eg. you might want to
+#   scale the view to some "focussed" data view and have overlayed
+#   viewboxes only respond to relayed events.)
+# - figure out how to deal with menu raise events for multi-viewboxes.
+#   (we might want to add a different menu which specs the name of the
+#   view box currently being handled?
+# - allow selection of a particular view box by interacting with its
+#   axis?
+
+
+# TODO: we might want to enabled some kind of manual flag to disable
+# this method wrapping during type creation? As example a user could
+# definitively decide **not** to enable broadcasting support by
+# setting something like ``ViewBox.disable_relays = True``?
+def mk_relay_method(
+
+    signame: str,
+    slot: Callable[
+        [ViewBox,
+         'QEvent',
+         Optional[AxisItem]],
+        None,
+    ],
+
+) -> Callable[
+    [
+        ViewBox,
+        # lol, there isn't really a generic type thanks
+        # to the rewrite of Qt's event system XD
+        'QEvent',
+
+        'Optional[AxisItem]',
+        'Optional[ViewBox]',  # the ``relayed_from`` arg we provide
+    ],
+    None,
+]:
+
+    def maybe_broadcast(
+        vb: 'ViewBox',
+        ev: 'QEvent',
+        axis: 'Optional[int]' = None,
+        relayed_from: 'ViewBox' = None,
+
+    ) -> None:
+        '''
+        (soon to be) Decorator which makes an event handler
+        "broadcastable" to overlayed ``GraphicsWidget``s.
+
+        Adds relay signals based on the decorated handler's name
+        and conducts a signal broadcast of the relay signal if there
+        are consumers registered.
+
+        '''
+        # When no relay source has been set just bypass all
+        # the broadcast machinery.
+        if vb.event_relay_source is None:
+            ev.accept()
+            return slot(
+                vb,
+                ev,
+                axis=axis,
+            )
+
+        if relayed_from:
+            assert axis is None
+
+            # this is a relayed event and should be ignored (so it does not
+            # halt/short circuit the graphicscene loop). Further the
+            # surrounding handler for this signal must be allowed to execute
+            # and get processed by **this consumer**.
+            print(f'{vb.name} rx relayed from {relayed_from.name}')
+            ev.ignore()
+
+            return slot(
+                vb,
+                ev,
+                axis=axis,
+            )
+
+        if axis is not None:
+            print(f'{vb.name} handling axis event:\n{str(ev)}')
+            ev.accept()
+            return slot(
+                vb,
+                ev,
+                axis=axis,
+            )
+
+        elif (
+            relayed_from is None
+            and vb.event_relay_source is vb  # we are the broadcaster
+            and axis is None
+        ):
+            # Broadcast case: this is a source event which will be
+            # relayed to attached consumers and accepted after all
+            # consumers complete their own handling followed by this
+            # routine's processing. Sequence is,
+            # - pre-relay to all consumers *first* - ``.emit()`` blocks
+            #   until all downstream relay handlers have run.
+            # - run the source handler for **this** event and accept
+            #   the event
+
+            # Access the "bound signal" that is created
+            # on the widget type as part of instantiation.
+            signal = getattr(vb, signame)
+            # print(f'{vb.name} emitting {signame}')
+
+            # TODO/NOTE: we could also just bypass a "relay" signal
+            # entirely and instead call the handlers manually in
+            # a loop? This probably is a lot simpler and also doesn't
+            # have any downside, and allows not touching target widget
+            # internals.
+            signal.emit(
+                ev,
+                axis,
+                # passing this demarks a broadcasted/relayed event
+                vb,
+            )
+            # accept event so no more relays are fired.
+            ev.accept()
+
+            # call underlying wrapped method with an extra
+            # ``relayed_from`` value to denote that this is a relayed
+            # event handling case.
+            return slot(
+                vb,
+                ev,
+                axis=axis,
+            )
+
+    return maybe_broadcast
+
+
+# XXX: :( can't define signals **after** class compile time
+# so this is not really useful.
+# def mk_relay_signal(
+#     func,
+#     name: str = None,
+
+# ) -> Signal:
+#     (
+#         args,
+#         varargs,
+#         varkw,
+#         defaults,
+#         kwonlyargs,
+#         kwonlydefaults,
+#         annotations
+#     ) = inspect.getfullargspec(func)
+
+#     # XXX: generate a relay signal with 1 extra
+#     # argument for a ``relayed_from`` kwarg. Since
+#     # ``'self'`` is already ignored by signals we just need
+#     # to count the arguments since we're adding only 1 (and
+#     # ``args`` will capture that).
+#     numargs = len(args + list(defaults))
+#     signal = Signal(*tuple(numargs * [object]))
+#     signame = name or func.__name__ + 'Relay'
+#     return signame, signal
+
+
+def enable_relays(
+    widget: GraphicsWidget,
+    handler_names: list[str],
+
+) -> list[Signal]:
+    '''
+    Method override helper which enables relay of a particular
+    ``Signal`` from some chosen broadcaster widget to a set of
+    consumer widgets which should operate their event handlers normally
+    but instead of signals "relayed" from the broadcaster.
+
+    Mostly useful for overlaying widgets that handle user input
+    that you want to overlay graphically. The target ``widget`` type must
+    define ``QtCore.Signal``s each with a `'Relay'` suffix for each
+    name provided in ``handler_names: list[str]``.
+
+    '''
+    signals = []
+    for name in handler_names:
+        handler = getattr(widget, name)
+        signame = name + 'Relay'
+        # ensure the target widget defines a relay signal
+        relay = getattr(widget, signame)
+        widget.relays[signame] = name
+        signals.append(relay)
+        method = mk_relay_method(signame, handler)
+        setattr(widget, name, method)
+
+    return signals
+
+
+enable_relays(
+    ChartView,
+    ['wheelEvent', 'mouseDragEvent']
+)
+
+
+class PlotItemOverlay:
+    '''
+    A composite for managing overlaid ``PlotItem`` instances such that
+    you can make multiple graphics appear on the same graph with
+    separate (non-colliding) axes apply ``ViewBox`` signal broadcasting
+    such that all overlaid items respond to input simultaneously.
+
+    '''
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        root_plotitem: PlotItem
+
+    ) -> None:
+
+        self.root_plotitem: PlotItem = root_plotitem
+
+        vb = root_plotitem.vb
+        vb.event_relay_source = vb  # TODO: maybe change name?
+        vb.setZValue(1000)  # XXX: critical for scene layering/relaying
+
+        self.overlays: list[PlotItem] = []
+        from piker.ui._overlay import ComposedGridLayout
+        self.layout = ComposedGridLayout(
+            root_plotitem,
+            root_plotitem.layout,
+        )
+        self._relays: dict[str, Signal] = {}
+
+    def add_plotitem(
+        self,
+        plotitem: PlotItem,
+        index: Optional[int] = None,
+
+        # TODO: we could also put the ``ViewBox.XAxis``
+        # style enum here?
+        # (0,),  # link x
+        # (1,),  # link y
+        # (0, 1),  # link both
+        link_axes: tuple[int] = (),
+
+    ) -> None:
+
+        index = index or 0
+        root = self.root_plotitem
+        # layout: QGraphicsGridLayout = root.layout
+        self.overlays.insert(index, plotitem)
+        vb: ViewBox = plotitem.vb
+
+        # mark this consumer overlay as ready to expect relayed events
+        # from the root plotitem.
+        vb.event_relay_source = root.vb
+
+        # TODO: some sane way to allow menu event broadcast XD
+        # vb.setMenuEnabled(False)
+
+        # TODO: inside the `maybe_broadcast()` (soon to be) decorator
+        # we need have checks that consumers have been attached to
+        # these relay signals.
+        if link_axes != (0, 1):
+
+            # wire up relay signals
+            for relay_signal_name, handler_name in vb.relays.items():
+                # print(handler_name)
+                # XXX: Signal class attrs are bound after instantiation
+                # of the defining type, so we need to access that bound
+                # version here.
+                signal = getattr(root.vb, relay_signal_name)
+                handler = getattr(vb, handler_name)
+                signal.connect(handler)
+
+        # link dim-axes to root if requested by user.
+        # TODO: solve more-then-wanted scaled panning on click drag
+        # which seems to be due to broadcast. So we probably need to
+        # disable broadcast when axes are linked in a particular
+        # dimension?
+        for dim in link_axes:
+            # link x and y axes to new view box such that the top level
+            # viewbox propagates to the root (and whatever other
+            # plotitem overlays that have been added).
+            vb.linkView(dim, root.vb)
+
+        # make overlaid viewbox impossible to focus since the top
+        # level should handle all input and relay to overlays.
+        # NOTE: this was solved with the `setZValue()` above!
+
+        # TODO: we will probably want to add a "focus" api such that
+        # a new "top level" ``PlotItem`` can be selected dynamically
+        # (and presumably the axes dynamically sorted to match).
+        vb.setFlag(
+            vb.GraphicsItemFlag.ItemIsFocusable,
+            False
+        )
+        vb.setFocusPolicy(Qt.NoFocus)
+
+        # append-compose into the layout all axes from this plot
+        self.layout.insert(index, plotitem)
+
+        plotitem.setGeometry(root.vb.sceneBoundingRect())
+
+        def size_to_viewbox(vb: 'ViewBox'):
+            plotitem.setGeometry(vb.sceneBoundingRect())
+
+        root.vb.sigResized.connect(size_to_viewbox)
+
+        # ensure the overlayed view is redrawn on each cycle
+        root.scene().sigPrepareForPaint.connect(vb.prepareForPaint)
+
+        # focus state sanity
+        vb.clearFocus()
+        assert not vb.focusWidget()
+        root.vb.setFocus()
+        assert root.vb.focusWidget()
+
+    # XXX: do we need this? Why would you build then destroy?
+    def remove_plotitem(self, plotItem: PlotItem) -> None:
+        '''
+        Remove this ``PlotItem`` from the overlayed set making not shown
+        and unable to accept input.
+
+        '''
+        ...
+
+    # TODO: i think this would be super hot B)
+    def focus_item(self, plotitem: PlotItem) -> PlotItem:
+        '''
+        Apply focus to a contained PlotItem thus making it the "top level"
+        item in the overlay able to accept peripheral's input from the user
+        and responsible for zoom and panning control via its ``ViewBox``.
+
+        '''
+        ...
+
+    def get_axis(
+        self,
+        plot: PlotItem,
+        name: str,
+
+    ) -> AxisItem:
+        '''
+        Retrieve the named axis for overlayed ``plot``.
+
+        '''
+        return self.layout.get_axis(plot, name)
+
+    # TODO: i guess we need this if you want to detach existing plots
+    # dynamically? XXX: untested as of now.
+    def _disconnect_all(
+        self,
+        plotitem: PlotItem,
+    ) -> list[Signal]:
+        '''
+        Disconnects all signals related to this widget for the given chart.
+
+        '''
+        disconnected = []
+        for pi, sig in self._relays.items():
+            QObject.disconnect(sig)
+            disconnected.append(sig)
+
+        return disconnected