The QtiPlot Handbook
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# Surface plot options

This dialog box is used to customize 3D function plots created using the New -> New Surface 3D Plot command from the File menu. It is activated by a double click on a 3D plot.

## Scale Tab

The first tab is used to modify the X, Y, and Z ranges. It also allows specification of the number of labels (major ticks) to be drawn on the axes, as well as the number of minor ticks.

Figure 5-69. The surface plot options dialog box.

## Axis Tab

The second tab defines the main parameters of the three axes: the axis label, its font, and the length of the ticks. Tick length is defined in the same units as the axis range. If the graph scales are changed, QtiPlot will re-calculate the length of the ticks. The font button on this tab only allows modification of the font used for the label. The font used for axis numbers is selected using the font control on the General Tab. The superscript and subscript buttons allow for easy insertion of LaTeX superscript/subscript commands. The superscript/subscript texts will only be rendered as such if you export the plot to a ".tex" file by choosing the LaTeX file text mode in the advanced settings of the export dialog. In order to render the superscripts/subscripts, the exported LaTex file must be compiled separately, therefore you need a LaTeX environment installed on your computer.

## Grid Tab

The third tab is used to define or modify the properties of the plot grid.

## Title Tab

The fourth tab is used to define or modify the title of the plot. You can add LaTex format subscripts, superscripts, bold characters, etc in your title in a manner identical to that described for LaTex formatting in the Axis Tab.

## Colors Tab

The fifth tab allows modification of the colors used for different elements of the plot.

The Linear color map group defines the color scheme which is used to show Z-values. If the Scale Colors box is checked, a Z value will be represented by a color defined as a linear interpolation between the adjacent values in the color table.

You may also read a colormap from a file. The format of the file is simple: each line defines a color by red, green and blue values as integers between 0 and 255. Numbers should be separated by spaces. You can find several examples of colormaps on the QtiPlot web site.

## General Tab

The General tab is used to define some global parameters and the aspect ratio of the plot. The default behavior is to use perspective to compute the 3D plot. If you choose to check the Orthogonal check box, the plot will use a vertical Z axis regardless of the view angle of the plot.

Figure 5-70. The general plot options tab.

## Print Tab

The Print tab is used to define some useful print options, like scaling to the printer's paper size or showing cropmarks.

Figure 5-71. The 3D plot print options.

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