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Re: A 3D Plot Query

  • To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
  • Subject: [mg94249] Re: A 3D Plot Query
  • From: Helen Read <read at math.uvm.edu>
  • Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2008 06:56:47 -0500 (EST)
  • References: <ghj01t$ff8$1@smc.vnet.net>

pcoords29 at gmail.com wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> This may sound silly, but I can't get it to work. (I'm using v 6.0)
> 
> How do I get my 3D plots look as given in textbooks, ie. with the y-
> axis pointing to the right, the z-axis up and x-axis pointing out of
> the paper/screen ( showing the first octant)?  I mean the kind of
> plots one draws on paper when working out surface integrals  in
> Calculus classes.

The default ViewPoint for Plot3D is ViewPoint -> {1.3, -2.4, 2.}

Use ViewPoint -> {1.3`, 2.4`, 2.`} will give you the view that you are 
used to (x-axis point out, y-axis point to the right).

> If this is of any help, I'd like to get the plot of  the paraboloid
> 
>  z = 2-(x^2+y^2),  as given in Fig. 10-10  of  Spiegel's Advanced
> Calculus, Schaum Series.

This is a separate issue. See below.

> I tried
> 
>         Plot3D[2 - (x^2 + y^2), {x, -a, a}, {y, -a, a}],
> 
> with various values of a. Unfortunately, none of them look like the
> traditional cap-shaped paraboloid.

Is this what you are going for?

Plot3D[2 - (x^2 + y^2), {x, -2, 2}, {y, -2, 2},
  RegionFunction -> Function[{x, y, z}, 0 <= x^2 + y^2 <= 4]]

And if you want the first octant, oriented the way you draw it on the board:

Plot3D[2 - (x^2 + y^2), {x, 0, 2}, {y, 0, 2},
  RegionFunction -> Function[{x, y, z}, 0 <= x^2 + y^2 <= 4],
  ViewPoint -> {1.3`, 2.4`, 2.`}]

--
Helen Read
University of Vermont



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