Create graphics dynamically at the compile time in a pgfplots

Question

I am trying to create a 2D plot in which the x-label ticks are pictures, similar to what is posted here, with the difference that the images be created at the compile time in a parametric manner. The x-labels, which are graphics, are actually dependent on some input CSV file that determines the shape of the graphics. illustrated below just as an example. As can be seen, the arrows are my x labels are in different graphics.

How should I approach this problem? I tried to define parameters needed such as

\newcommand{\PSI}{45}
\newcommand{\PHI}{45}

\newcommand{\cosPSI}{cos(\PSI)}
\newcommand{\sinPSI}{sin(\PSI)}
% These are just example to show my approach to this problem
% ...
\newcommand{\myFirstLabel}{\tikz \draw (0,0) -- (1,1);}

I also tried to use:

\newcommand{\myFirstLabel}{\begin{tikspicture} ...}

but the compiler complains about this. I wanted to see if I could have something like the following such that each new command create the graphical label using the parameters that I defined in the preamble.

xticklabels={\myLabel2, \myLabel2, ...}

Is this doable using LateX?

Answer 1

It should work without any problems.

\documentclass[]{standalone}
\usepackage{pgfplots}
\pgfplotsset{compat=1.13}
\begin{document}
\begin{tikzpicture}
\def\mylabel#1{\tikz\filldraw[#1] (0,0)circle (3mm);}
\begin{axis}[
xtick={-2,0,2},
xticklabels={\mylabel{red},\mylabel{blue},\mylabel{gray}}
]
\addplot {x};
\end{axis}
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}