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Writing Code for Surface Plots?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the a-hold-on-the-underlying-math dept.

MySchizoBuddy asks: "In what ways can you code plots of surface charts using a z(x,y) function or a cloud of points? I'm looking for a tutorial that explains this that doesn't use DirectX or OpenGL libraries (the language I'm using cannot use either framework anyway). How is the 3D mess generated and how can the 2D contour plots be generated as well? I'm assuming once I know that I can also use it to make torus plots as well. Remember, I'm asking for the explanation of the underlying math and an example code that does that. The GNUPlot gallery has some examples that I find helpful, but are there similar examples out there? (Remember, I am writing the plotting code as well)? Can anyone help or point me in the right direction?"

2 of 81 comments (clear)

  1. R-project by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Check out the R-project at www.r-project.org. It is very good for that sort of thing.

  2. See what you can come up with by Geccie · · Score: 2, Insightful

    If its a very small part of a larger program, then look for some good examples and try to trudge through getting it to work. Otherwise, start writing code and examine the visual output of the screen. Look for algorithms and methods for producing the output you want. When you begin to understand them, you can integrate the concepts into your solution.

    Unfortunately, even if you have an API, you still have to understand what it does and how to interact with it. Many people believe that modular programming simply means using code alrealy written. This is a false premise as there is no substitute for some degree of understanding.

    In the end, you may wish to use a public library because it is highly accurate, optimized, well researched, or portable, but by that time you will have the knowledge to understand why you are selecting the particular library.