Re: [matplotlib-devel] subplotting 3d figures

[John H. <jd...@gm...>]

On Sat, Jul 3, 2010 at 1:51 AM, Benjamin Root <ben...@gm...> wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I have always been a bit troubled with how Axes3D object is a bit of a
> 2nd-class citizen in matplotlib.  In particular, it is very common to create
> a new axes using .add_subplot() or .gca(), but you can't do that with
> Axes3D.  You also can't create subplots of 3d figures, you have to create
> multiple figures with single 3d plots in them.
>
> My examination off the code have not revealed anything that prevents this
> from happening.  Currently, the gca() and add_subplot() functions accept a
> kwarg of 'projection' which allows one to specify the name of a registered
> axes object.  Currently axes.Axes, polar and a few others are registered,
> with axes.Axes being default.
>
> I have found that 3 lines of code in the axes3d module to have it add the
> Axes3D class to the registry.  Using a name of '3d', one can specify the
> projection to gain a Axes3d object.  Note, you will still have to import the
> Axes3D object as usual.  Attached is a patch for axes3d.py and a file that
> could be added to mpl_examples/.  Give it a shot and let me know how it
> works for you!
>
> Enjoy!
> Ben Root

Definitely interested.  Thanks for the re-ping.  Reinier is busy of
late so hasn't been able to get to the 3D stuff.  Damned Germans and
their endless vacations -- actually my wife is German currently on an
endless vacation so shouldn't complain :-)

I am not a 3D user currently and was not even aware of the "one axes"
limitation you describe.  So would this also prevent mixing 2D and 3D
in the same figure (in the trunk before your patch)?  This looks like
a major and unobtrusive improvement.  I tested it and it looks good.
Committed to 8497.

Perhaps you can update doc/mpl_toolkits/mplot3d/tutorial.rst showing
how to use the projection kwarg to mix 2D w/ 3D or place multiple 3D
plots in one figure.

If you'd like svn commit rights, send me your sf id.

> P.S. - Can you just imagine subplots of animated 3d plots? wink... wink...

Damn, better get a new computer.  I am doing my development currently
on a linux install running on a laptop under Sun VirtualBox.  Even
typing an email can be painfully slow.  Multiple animated mpl subplots
would definitely bring this box to it's knees.  Well, technically,
it's already on its knees.

JDH