Plotting Functions in Matlab: A Guide to 3D Surface Plots

When it comes to plotting functions in MATLAB, one of the most powerful tools is the ability to create 3D surface plots. These plots allow you to visualize complex relationships between multiple variables and can be incredibly useful for data analysis and visualization. In this article, we will explore the basics of creating 3D surface plots in MATLAB.

To start with, let's look at an example of how to create a 3D surface plot using the `mesh` function. This function takes three arguments: x, y, and z. These are vectors that define the domain of the plot. For example, if you want to create a 3D surface plot of the function f(x,y) = sin(x)*cos(y), you would use the following code:

x = linspace(0,2*pi);

y = linspace(0,2*pi);

'X,Y' = meshgrid(x,y);

Z = sin(X).*cos(Y);

mesh(X,Y,Z);

In this example, we first create two vectors x and y using the `linspace` function. This function generates a specified number of points between a given range. We then use the `meshgrid` function to create a grid of points in the xy-plane. Finally, we calculate the values of z for each point on the grid using the formula sin(x)*cos(y). The resulting 3D surface plot is displayed using the `mesh` function.

One of the key advantages of using the `mesh` function is that it allows you to customize the appearance of your plot. For example, you can change the color scheme, add labels and titles, and adjust the viewing angle.

Another powerful tool for creating 3D surface plots in MATLAB is the `surf` function. This function works similarly to the `mesh` function, but it creates a surface plot with a different appearance. Instead of using lines to connect the points on the grid, `surf` uses triangles to create a smooth surface.

There are many other ways to customize your 3D surface plots in MATLAB. For example, you can use the `view` function to adjust the viewing angle, or the `axis` function to change the limits of the x and y axes.

In conclusion, plotting functions in MATLAB using 3D surface plots is a powerful tool for data analysis and visualization. By combining the `mesh` and `surf` functions with other tools and techniques, you can create complex and customizable plots that help you better understand your data.

References:

* MATLAB documentation: Mesh and Surf Functions

* MATLAB documentation: Plotting Functions in 3D

Ploting functions in matlab 3d