How do you create a surf plot in cylindrical coordinates?
In general, the syntax for a surf plot is surf(X,Y,Z). I have u = F(r,z). I'd like to do surface plots of u for multiple cross sections at z = h1, h2, h3, etc. Is there a simple way to create a surf plot in cylindrical coordinates, i.e., something that would be analagous to the syntax: surf(r,phi,u) where u = u(r,h1)?
John Michell answered .
2025-11-20
### Creating a Surf Plot in Cylindrical Coordinates with MATLAB
Creating a surf plot in cylindrical coordinates is a powerful way to visualize data. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Define the Cylindrical Coordinates:
First, set up the cylindrical coordinates `(r, theta, z)`.
r = linspace(0, 10, 100); % Radius values
theta = linspace(0, 2*pi, 100); % Angle values
[R, Theta] = meshgrid(r, theta); % Create a grid
2. Convert to Cartesian Coordinates:
Convert the cylindrical coordinates to Cartesian coordinates `(x, y, z)`.
X = R .* cos(Theta);
Y = R .* sin(Theta);
Z = someFunction(R, Theta); % Replace with your function for z-values
3. Create the Surf Plot:
Use the `surf` function to create the surface plot.
surf(X, Y, Z);
4. Label and Customize the Plot:
Add labels and customize the appearance of the plot.
xlabel('X');
ylabel('Y');
zlabel('Z');
title('Surf Plot in Cylindrical Coordinates');
colorbar; % Add a color bar for reference
Using these steps, you can effectively create a surf plot in cylindrical coordinates, offering a comprehensive visualization of your data in MATLAB.