Select display options for 3D Scatterplot and 3D Surface Plot

Use a 3D scatterplot to explore the potential relationships among three variables. When you create a 3D scatterplot, you usually display predictor variables on the x-axis and the y-axis and the response variable on the z-axis. For example, you may want to examine how temperature and humidity affect the drying time of paint, or how horsepower and tire pressure affect a vehicle's fuel efficiency.

Use a 3D surface plot to examine the relationship between a response variable (Z) and two predictor variables (X and Y), by viewing a three-dimensional surface of the predicted response. You can choose to represent the predicted response as a smooth surface or a wireframe.

The following images show elements that you can display on a 3D graph. To select elements when you create the graph, click Data View.

3D surface plot with surface

3D surface plot with wireframe

3D scatterplot with symbols and project lines

Change the box appearance

On the Attributes tab, you can edit the fill type, fill color, line type, line color, and line size. For example, on the following 3D scatterplot, the 3D box is colored light yellow.

Display box faces

On the Box Options tab, select one of the following options:

None

Back faces only

All faces

Change the aspect ratio

On the Box Options tab, select a ratio. For example, the following 3D surface plots are all of the same data.

Default

Proportional to data ranges

Specified (this plot: 3 x 3 x 1)

You can rotate a 3D graph to view them from different angles. This allows you to more thoroughly explore the relationships among the variables. Use the buttons on the toolbar in graph editing mode to rotate 3D graphs. These buttons appear when a 3D scatterplot or a 3D surface plot is active.

1. Double-click the graph.
2. Use the following buttons on the toolbar to rotate the graph. Click each button once to rotate the graph in small increments. Click and hold a button for continuous rotation.

   Toolbar item	Action
   	Rotate the graph clockwise or counterclockwise about the x-axis.
   	Rotate the graph clockwise or counterclockwise about the y-axis.
   	Rotate the graph clockwise or counterclockwise about the z-axis.

   Note

   When you click a button, a preview window pops up to show exactly how the graph will spin.

The following images show a 3D scatterplot before and after it is rotated.

Original 3D scatterplot

You can select between a solid surface and a wireframe.

1. Double-click the graph.
2. Double-click the surface pattern.
3. On the Attributes tab, select one of the following options:

   

   Surface

   

   Wireframe

You can specify the surface color, wire color, and wire size.

1. Double-click the graph.
2. Double-click the surface pattern.
3. On the Attributes tab, you can specify the surface color for a 3D surface plot, or the surface color, wire color, and wire size for a wireframe plot.