Re: plot (x,y,z) triplets as a surface?

[davidf(at)dfanning.com (David Fanning)]

Andrew (noymer@my-deja.com) writes:

>    I have some surface data that are generated by a computer
> simulation I wrote.  The simulation itself is not written in IDL,
> it's an external program that produces an ASCII data set.  Before
> switching to IDL, I used a plotting program that required the surface
> data to be z only, with x and y determined by column and row.
> 
>    As far as I can tell, this is also IDL's preferred way to read
> surface data.  Obviously, it is a more economical way to store surface
> data.  However, economy aside, for many reasons I would prefer to
> have my simulation output (x,y,z) triplets.  The x,y values ARE evenly
> spaced but I would STILL like to output the data as triplets.  Call
> me stubborn.
> 
>    Is there any way to read (x,y,z) triplets into IDL and make a
> surface?  Sorry if this is a terrible newbie question.

I've been meaning to write an article about gridding
data for a SURFACE plot for about 5 years now. This
question finally pushed me over the edge. You can find
it here:

   http://www.dfanning.com/tips/grid_surface.html

Cheers,

David

-- 
David Fanning, Ph.D.
Fanning Software Consulting
Phone: 970-221-0438 E-Mail: davidf@dfanning.com
Coyote's Guide to IDL Programming: http://www.dfanning.com/
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