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XYZ Surface

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Select an X, a Y, and a Z column (one or more selections), and optionally a fourth column containing labels for one or more data points. Produce a 3D surface plot. NOTE: Labels are only drawn in 2D views of the surface, not in 3D views.

Label placeholders

To embed the X, Y, and/or Z values of the corresponding data point in a label, use the placeholders $X, $Y, and $Z, respectively. When the label is drawn the corresponding numeric values will be substituted for these control codes. For example, a label of "X=$X,Y=$Y,Z=$Z” at the point (1,2,3) will appear as "X=1,Y=2,Z=3".

Initial plot settings:

Initially the plot will be shown in 2D with contour lines. To show in 3D, draw shaded bands for each contour interval rather than contour lines, change the contour interval or the colors used, right-click outside the plot and select "Contour Options", or select the Contour Options command on the Options menu.

Surface plots in DPlot are of a triangular mesh that is generated from your 3D input points. There is not enough information in a simple list of 3D points to determine where the edges of the surface should be, or for that matter to determine whether your surface should have any interior holes. DPlot always creates a convex triangular mesh from X,Y,Z input, which for many applications is exactly what you want. It is of course possible that you will not want a convex mesh. In this case DPlot will have created triangles outside the desired limits of your plot. You can create a concave mesh by telling DPlot where the boundaries of your surface are with the Define Boundary command on the Options menu. For more information on this command search the DPlot Help file for "Define boundary".

Example:

 


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