Connecting 2D ellipses in a 3D plot to make a 3D 'tunnel'

Hi all,

I have produced a 3D plot which shows the mean trace of a number of movements. I have also come up with an 'error band' using a number of ellipses (see attached figure).

While this is suitable for the desired application, I think that if I can connect the ellipses and produce a semi-transparent 'tunnel', this would look far better.

The code I used to produce the plot in the figure is as follows:

hold off
plot3(x_mean_origin,y_mean_origin,z_mean_origin,'r','LineWidth',3)
hold on
for i=1:1:100
a=stddevmax_smooth(i);
b=zstddev(i);
x=a*cos(theta)+x_mean_origin(i);
y=zeros(1,numel(x))+y_mean_origin(i);
z=b*sin(theta)+z_mean_origin(i);
rotate(plot3(x,y,z,'m'),[0 0 1],phi(i),[x_mean_origin(i) y_mean_origin(i) z_mean_origin(i)]);
end

I am aware of functions such as 'fill' and 'surf' and 'mesh', but not really sure how to incorporate them in this instance. I'm hoping it is fairly straightforward, so any support you can provide is greatly appreciated! Also I have only supplied a small section of my code, so if any more is required for context, just let me know.

Many thanks!

Answer 1

[Star Strider]

I am not certain what you want.

Try this:

F = openfig('Mean throw with 1SD error band.fig');
Ax = findobj(F,'Type','Axes');
D = findobj(F,'Type','line');
Q2 = D(50);
for k = 1:numel(D)
    X(k,:) = D(k).XData;
    Y(k,:) = D(k).YData;
    Z(k,:) = D(k).ZData;
end

figure
hs = surf(X, Y, Z)
set(hs, 'EdgeColor','none', 'FaceAlpha', 0.5)
grid on

producing:

Experiment to get the result you want. See Surface Properties to understand options for surf plots to get it to look the way you want it to look.

[Thomas Swain]

This is exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you so much!!

[Star Strider]

As always, my pleasure!