Pseudo-3D Plots

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Thu, 07/19/2012 - 08:18 am

I am currently trying to create a plot that is a series of 2D-graphs with each data set constituting a scalar z-value.

I am able to use the 3D scatter plot generator to create a graph that gives something similar to what I'd like, but I'd preferably be able to have something similar to each 2D-plot having a connected line with each consecutive data set given a little more "depth" based on it's increasing scalar z-value. In terms of traditional xyz-coordinates, I suppose I am thinking along the lines of xz-plots at various scalar y-values.

The Igor Help Browser seems to indicate things about combining waves into Matrix-2D values, but I'm not sure exactly how to combine the 3-wave data I have into this form (rather than the triplet wave form used for the 3D-plots).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
So you have data in a triplet XYZ format? Depending on the data, it is probably relatively easy to re-format the data. How about posting an Igor experiment file with an example data set.

John Weeks
WaveMetrics, Inc.
support@wavemetrics.com

July 19, 2012 at 09:29 am - Permalink

Attached is the Igor experiment file, with the Triplet Wave used to make the created 3D-plot. Ideally, I'd like a series of wave2 vs. wave0 graphs set at various wave1 scalar values.
3D Plot Full Inject.pxp

July 19, 2012 at 10:06 am - Permalink

jgrinias wrote:
Attached is the Igor experiment file, with the Triplet Wave used to make the created 3D-plot. Ideally, I'd like a series of wave2 vs. wave0 graphs set at various wave1 scalar values.


Your wave0 appears to cover a different range in each "cycle" but it has a constant sampling interval. Wave1 does not appear to have a constant sampling interval so I suspect you are better off using Gizmo for this type of plot then trying to convert to a Matrix representation and using the Waterfall plot.

Quote:
I am able to use the 3D scatter plot generator to create a graph that gives something similar to what I'd like, but I'd preferably be able to have something similar to each 2D-plot having a connected line with each consecutive data set given a little more "depth" based on it's increasing scalar z-value. In terms of traditional xyz-coordinates, I suppose I am thinking along the lines of xz-plots at various scalar y-values.


I am not sure what you mean by lines of "xz-plots". Your experiment used a Scatter object. If you want a line connecting the points you will need to use a Path instead of Scatter. The only extra bit that is required is that you add to your triplet wave a row of NaNs at the end of each X cycle, e.g., after row 2509 add a row of NaNs. This will "break" the path object into the individual segments.

Another option which you may like (it works in this case because of the density of your data) is to use the Scatter object as you did but, in the Scatter properties dialog click in the Drop Lines button. In the subsequent dialog enable drop lines and choose Drop Lines to min Z.

I hope this helps,

A.G.
WaveMetrics, Inc.

July 19, 2012 at 10:38 am - Permalink

The NaN addition and the path-plots worked great. Thank you very much for the assistance.

A little more assistance on formatting: ideally I would have the x-scale (wave0) present and the scalar y-values (wave1) present as well, creating a square grid on the bottom, with no z-scale or overall box structure. I can see in the 'axes0' wave where you can choose 'Custom' rather than 'Box', but is there a place that describes how to make all the formatting changes (a specific help document, some website, etc.)?

July 19, 2012 at 01:16 pm - Permalink

jgrinias wrote:
The NaN addition and the path-plots worked great. Thank you very much for the assistance.

A little more assistance on formatting: ideally I would have the x-scale (wave0) present and the scalar y-values (wave1) present as well, creating a square grid on the bottom, with no z-scale or overall box structure. I can see in the 'axes0' wave where you can choose 'Custom' rather than 'Box', but is there a place that describes how to make all the formatting changes (a specific help document, some website, etc.)?


If you are using a recent version of IGOR I recommend selecting "Box Axes" from Gizmo menu and using that interface to control your display. Otherwise, you have complete control over the shape of the axes by double-clicking on the Axes0 object in the Info window and making your selections in the dialog. You can find the relevant documentation in two places: Windows Menu->Help Windows->Visualization and looking up the ModifyGizmo command in IGOR's Help Browser.

A.G.
WaveMetrics, inc.

July 19, 2012 at 04:02 pm - Permalink