Software to display 3D surfaces

Question

What are some examples of software or online services that can display surfaces that are defined implicitly (for example, the sphere $x^2 + y^2 + z^2 = 1$)? Please add an example of usage (if not obvious).

Also, I'm looking for the following (if any):

• a possibility to draw many surfaces on the same sheet
• to show cross-sections

Answer 1

WolframAlpha is a free online service that can draw implicit surfaces. It is essentially the same as the program Mathematica, but with limited capabilties (for example, it is not able to plot more than one surface at a time).

This code will plot the unit sphere:

ContourPlot3D[x^2+y^2+z^2==1,{x,-1,1},{y,-1,1},{z,-1,1}]

Here is the output online, and here is a screen capture:

Answer 2

I think that you can use MATLAB. Or Maple if you like, Maple is easier than MATLAB.!

Two plot or surface

Answer 3

Wolfram Mathematica can handle the first through the use of ContourPlot3D. That reference page has the necessary syntax for all of what you are asking. By cross-sections I am assuming you are referring to $f(x,y,z) = k$ as $k$ varies? If so, that is done by just leaving off the == k in the function usage (see the documentation for more information).

Answer 4

Try these for algebraic surfaces:

• surf generates excellent images.
• surfer
• surfex

from http://www.algebraicsurface.net/.

Answer 5

I can’t comment eveywhere so I answer here :

I cannot display cylinder by ContourPlot3D[x^2+y^2==1,{x,-10,10},{y,-10,10},{z,-10,10}].

Try ContourPlot3D[x^2+y^2+z==1+z,{x,-1,1},{y,-1,1},{z,-10,10}] (see the result).