Maple 9 Learning Guide - Maplesoft

126 • Chapter 5: Plotting> plot3d( sin(x)*cos(y), x=0..3*Pi, y=0..3*Pi, grid=[50,50] );In the next example, a large number of points (100) for the first coordinate(theta) makes the spiral look smooth. However, the functiondoes not change in the z-direction. Thus, a small number of points (5) issufficient.> cylinderplot( theta, theta=0..4*Pi, z=-1..1, grid=[100,5] );The default grid is approximately 25 by 25 points.Shading and Lighting SchemesTwo methods for shading a surface in a three-dimensional plot are available.• One or more distinctly colored light sources illuminate the surface• The color of each point is a direct function of its coordinatesMaple has many preselected light source configurations, which give aestheticallypleasing results. You can choose from these light sourcesthrough the context-sensitive menu or with the lightmodel option. Forcoloring the surface directly, many predefined coloring functions are alsoavailable through the menus or with the shading option.