Three-Dimensional Graphs

A three-dimensional (3-D) graph is a graph in which data is plotted in a three-dimensional frame.

The three-dimensional frame can be manipulated, using the ThreeDViewMatrix object that is associated with the graph.

Standard use of a 3-D graph

You usually use 3-D graphs when you want to present a more interesting visual display of the data. You might also use a 3-D graph when the shape of the data in a 3-D graph is more revealing than it is in a two-dimensional graph.

Do not use a 3-D graph when it is important for viewers to know exact data values, because exact data values are hard to see on a 3-D graph.

Available varieties of 3-D graph

The following 3-D graph types are available.

Data guidelines for 3-D graphs

In general, 3-D graphs have the same data requirements as their two-dimensional counterparts. The restrictions are:

You may notice that some 3-D markers are difficult to see because the markers around them are much larger and block the view. To fix this problem, you can rearrange the data so that all of it is easy to see.

Data structure of different 3-D graphs

Each 3-D graph has a different data structure:

Handling Problems in Graph Data
Specifying Data for a Graph
Example: Setting JDBC Data on a Simple Graph
Example: Setting Data from a File on a Simple Graph