Chapter 12

3D Plots

Overview of 3D Plotting

Creating 3D Plots of Functions

Creating 3D Plots of Data

Formatting a 3D Plot

Overview of 3D Plotting

Three-dimensional plots enable you to visually represent a function of one or two variables and to plot data in the form of x-, y-, and z-coordinates. Mathcad renders 3D plots with OpenGL graphics.

Inserting a 3D Plot

To create a three-dimensional plot:

1.Define a function of two variables or a matrix of data.

2.Choose Graph from the Insert menu and select a 3D plot type or click one of the 3D graph buttons on the Graph toolbar. Mathcad inserts a blank 3D plot with axes and an empty placeholder.

3.Enter the name of the function or matrix in the placeholder.

4.Click outside the plot or press [Enter] to see the plot.

For example, the surface plot shown below was created in Mathcad from the function:

When you create a 3D plot from a function, it’s called a QuickPlot. A QuickPlot uses default ranges and grids for the independent variables. To change these settings, double-click on the graph and use the QuickPlot Data page of the 3D Plot Format dialog. (See “Formatting a 3D Plot” on page 139.)

3D Plot Wizard

The 3D Plot Wizard provides more control over the format settings of the plot as you insert it:

1. Choose Graph > Plot Wizard from the Insert menu.

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