Plot Page - Surface Data Maps

To view and edit surface data map plot properties, first select the map and then click the Plot tab in the Property Manager. You can then change the worksheet file, change axes and worksheet columns and rows, handle NoData nodes, and display or hide the color scale in the surface data map.

Set the surface map properties on the Plot tab in the Property Manager.

Plot Type

The Plot type property displays the type of plot.

Worksheet

Click the existing data file path and file name next to Worksheet to select a different data file for the plot. Click on a currently open worksheet or click the Browse option to navigate to a worksheet that is not yet open. Select a different data file in the Open Worksheet dialog, and click the Open button to change the data. The plot automatically updates.

NOTE: The worksheet columns are retained after changing the worksheet. If any of the column options are blank after changing the Worksheet, click on the blank option and select the desired column. A blank next to column means that the column does not exist in the new worksheet.

Select the Data in rows option if your data file is formatted where each row includes one variable. When the Data in rows option is selected, all plot properties that require data values are specified by selecting a data row. This includes variables such as X and Y, data labels, worksheet ranges, etc. Properties that list column letters will update to list row numbers. When switching from plotting data in columns to plotting data in rows, Grapher may not be able to select the correct rows automatically. Verify the correct rows are selected.

The property descriptions below refer to data columns, but when Data in rows is selected the property lists will include rows.

Data

Click on the column name next to the X variable, Y variable, and Z variable fields to change the data used to create the plot. In the list that appears, select the new column. If the first worksheet row contains header information, the header information appears next to the column letter.

NoData Nodes

The NoData nodes option sets the method used to treat nodes that have no value, i.e. the NULL value, associated with it. Set the NoData nodes to Don't draw to not draw the NoData nodes. Set the Remap to value to change how the NoData nodes are mapped.

Show Color Scale

Check the box next to the Show color scale option to show the surface data map's color scale.

Base Cutoff Value

By default, no base is displayed. To add a base to the map, select a base fill style on the Fill page, and then define the base line and fill properties in the Line and Fill property pages. The base will extend from the bottom of the surface to the Base cutoff value. The Base cutoff value is in Y axis units. If Auto is selected for the Base cutoff, Grapher selects a reasonable Y axis value. Set Base cutoff of Custom to enter your own value.

Overlays

The Overlays section includes the properties for overlaid maps or plots.

Resample Method

When the texture map is stretched, the color in the original overlay must be resampled to a new size and position. The Resample method specifies how the texture map is resampled. Setting the option to Linear uses bilinear interpolation to combine the four surrounding pixels. Bilinear interpolation results in higher quality, but is usually slower. Setting the option to Nearest uses the nearest pixel in the source image. To change the Resample method, click on the existing method and select the desired method from the list.

Overlay Resolution

The Overlay resolution refers to the resolution of the texture map. High-resolution texture maps result in more detail, but lines become thinner and may eventually fade or break up. Setting the Overlay resolution to Automatic allows Grapher to determine the best resolution. To change the resolution, click on the existing value and select a new option from the list.

Color Modulation

Color modulation refers to the method used to combine the texture map and surface material colors. You can choose to use only the overlay colors (such as contour map colors), or you can blend the surface and overlay colors. To change the Color modulation, click the existing option

Overlay Visibility

If there are overlays on a surface, and the surface is made invisible through the Object Manager, the overlays will not be visible.

To overlay a contour map and surface map:

Create a contour map using the Home | New Graph | Contour Surface | XZ Contour Data Map or Home | New Graph | Contour Surface | XZ Contour Grid Map or Home | New Graph | Function | XZ Contour Function Map commands.
Add a surface map to the graph using the Graph Tools | Add to Graph | Plot command.
Select a Surface Function Map, Surface Data Map, or Surface Grid Map and click OK.
Select the axes and click OK.
Select the data file or grid file and click Open.
Click on the contour map in the Object Manager or plot window to select it.
In the Property Manager, click on the Plot tab. Change the Overlay to the surface map.
Click on the surface map in the Object Manager or plot window to select it.
In the Property Manager, click on the Plot tab. Set any desired overlay properties.

Change Axes

Click on the axis name next to the X axis, Y axis, or Z axis fields to change the axes used for the plot. Select another axis name from the list. Alternatively, click Select plots/axis to change the axis used by several plots on a graph at once.

See the Axis - Add to Graph page for information about how to add a new axis to the graph. Once the new axis is added to the graph, it will be available in the X axis, Y axis, or Z axis lists.

Lighting Properties

The Lighting section includes the lighting properties for the 3D surface.