This program takes an equation in the form of z=x+y, and graphs it as a surface. You are given control over some of the graphic attributes and the ability to save & print the graph and to create a quicktime movie of the graph in motion.
The parameters dialog is where you enter the function and control the graph viewing angles and resolution of the grid it is drawn with. An extra variable 'i' can be used in the equation and during movie creation can be varied with time for some neat effects.
For those who are familiar with ResEditｪ, new preset equations can be stored in STR# resource 128. Be sure to leave the last entry blank. Send me your favorite equations and I'll include them in future versions.
The PPC version is designed to run on PowerPC family machines; while the 68K version runs on older Macintoshes with at least a 68030 and a math coprocessor.
Coming Soon: I'll try to document the list of possible functions that can be used in the formulas and some rules about them, in the mean time, when in doubt use parenthesis around the functions to be done first like z=(x*(y*2)). Make the formulas file based. Cleanup Error checking. Fix some more bugs. Anyone with suggestions for a new icon, pass them on.
I'll make no promises to add features or correct bugs, but I gladly welcome reports and suggestions and I will consider them. Also, If you use this software for anything interesting or creative, I'd like to hear about it. You can reach me via internet email at hbcsc224@csun.edu
Updates: Current versions should be available at my web site http://www.csun.edu/~hbcsc224/SOFTWARE.HTML
Update history:
v2.1 - Corrected a problem with 'sqrt' and 'exp' functions. Appearantly they were not compiling for some reason with Code Warrior 6, CW7 has corrected the problem. Optimization was turned back on, it was left off accidently in 2.0b1, seems to make it a little speedier. Added support for Edit->Copy to put the current view on the clipboard. Cleaned up a few more of those pesky bugs.
v2.0b1 - Adds 'intensity' for graphing the value of z. Added the ability to save the graph as a PICT file. Added the display of the current formula. Added the option to change the graph range in the x and y coordinates. Added option to change 'd' the distance from the graph (perspective). The perspective does not do much and has problems with low numbers but it is there. Fixed the absolute value (ABS) function when used in a formula. Cleaned up some pesky bugs but I'm sure there are more.
Note:
This version of 3D Surfaces is being released as shareware (if you like it, share a copy with friends). I will not guarantee that future versions will continue to be free but I hope that they can be. Mass distribution is greatly appreciated but I prefer prior acknowledgement be granted from me.
