Description of the desired feature

We can now use a 1d array for sizes and color parameters, and intensity can also accept a 1d array after #1065. Therefore, we may also support a 1d array as symbol or symbols (originally posted in #1065 (comment)).

The format of the input file of GMT plot (including both -S and -I):

x y [ z ] [ size ] [ symbol-parameters ] [ intensity ] [ symbol ]

• z corresponds to the color parameter in PyGMT
• size corresponds to the sizes parameter in PyGMT (I don't know why we add a "s")
• intensity corresponds to the intensity (the name may be updated) parameter in PyGMT (Allow passing an array as intensity for plot #1065 is working on it)

The format of the input file of GMT plot3d (including both -S and -I):

x y z [ w ] [ size ] [ symbol-parameters ] [ intensity ] [ symbol ]

• w corresponds to the color parameter in PyGMT
• size corresponds to the sizes parameter in PyGMT (I don't know why we add a "s")
• intensity will also accept an array input as requested in plot and plot3d: Allow passing a numpy array as intensity #891

Therefore, we'd also like to support an array as symbol when we use x/y in plot and x/y/z in plot3d.

See an example with x y z size intensity symbol for the GMT plot method.

gmt begin symbols png
gmt makecpt -Chot -T0/3/1
gmt plot -R0/5/0/1 -JX5c/1c -BWSne -Bxa1 -Bya0.5 -S -C -I -W1p,black << EOF
1  0.5   0   0.3  1  c
2  0.5   1   0.8 -1  t
3  0.5   2   0.5  0  i
EOF
gmt end show

Are you willing to help implement and maintain this feature? Yes, but volunteers are welcome.