3D Plot Format Dialog Box (Appearance Tab)

If there is more than one plot in the graph, these options are specific to each plot. Each plot can be filled with its own color, have its own lines drawn, among other options. The tabs labeled Plot 1, Plot 2, and so on, control the settings for individual plots.

Fill Options

Fill Surface

Fills the plot surface with a colormap or with a solid color specified in the Color Options section.

Fill Contours

Fills the plot surface according to the x, y, or z contours. By default, fills according to the z-values. To fill in a different contour direction, use the Contour Options on the Special page: choose a contour direction from the drop-down menu then click "Fill" so it becomes checked.

Note: You can fill in up to 2 contour directions at once.

No Fill

The surface of the plot is not filled. It does not reflect light and has no color.

Alternate Mesh

Fills the surface of the plot using ½ filled rectangles.

Smooth Shading

Blends the colors in a filled plot from rectangle to rectangle so the coloring is smooth. Note that plots are drawn more slowly with "Smooth Shading" enabled.

Line Options

Wireframe

Draws lines on the plot to form a frame on the plot.

Contour

Draws lines only in the direction of the x, y, or z contours. Z contours are drawn by default. To draw lines in a different contour direction, use the Contour Options on the Special page. When you format a contour plot on a multi-plot graph, the options in the drop-down menu on the Special tab determine on which backplane the contour lines are drawn. For example, if you have Draw Lines checked for the z contours and x contours, you will see contour lines on both the x-y backplane and the y-z backplane.

No Lines

No lines are drawn on the plot.

Hide Lines

Hides lines that would not be visible if the plot were opaque.

Weight

Controls the thickness of the lines drawn on the plot.

Point Options

Draw Points

Draws points at the data values making up the plot.

Symbol

Specifies the symbol to place at each point.

Size

Specifies the size of the symbol at each point.

Color Options

Color options are available for fill, line, and points on a 3D plot.

Colormap

Colors the surface (fill) of the plot, the lines, or the points according to the values in the colormap. Mathcad comes with a variety of colormaps. You can also create and load custom colormaps in Mathcad by using the SaveColormap and LoadColormap functions. By default, a colormap is applied in the direction of the z-values or according to the height of the plot. You can apply the colormap in the direction of the x-values or y-values through the Advanced tab.

Solid Color

Colors the surface (fill) of the plot, the lines, or the points. Click the color box to specify a color. A solid color is useful when you don't want to overcomplicate a plot with many colors or when you want to use lighting to shade a plot.