Asymptote: 3D graphics

Asymptote (Vector Graphics Language)

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Three

Three is a module in Asymptote that allows the user to create three dimensional graphics. Usually all you must do is import three, import three;

then change from using doubles to using triples as coordinates. Though some functions do not work when three is active. In order to fill a surface, for example, one must define a surface and draw that. instead of using filldraw. This is also described <url>http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=519&t=399845 here</url>.

Data types

three defines the data types: path3, (3D version of path) guide3, (3D version of guide) and surface (a surface bounded by a path(3)) and other, less important ones.

Definitions

three defines the surfaces: unitcube, unitsphere, unitdisk, unitplane, unitcylinder, unitcone, unitsolidcone, and unithemisphere

Projection

You can use currentprojection=orthographic(x,y,z); To change current the view. currentprojection=perspective(x,y,z); Does the same thing, but is distorts the picture to imitate actual perspective.

Example:

base code:

import three;
/* perspective line /*
draw(unitcube,palegrey);

Using currentprojection=orthographic(1,1/2,1/2); We get a unit cube as: Using currentprojection=perspective(1,1/2,1/2); We get a unit cube as:

Note: When current projection is not given, three tries to find the "best" view.

Interactive Projection

When using Asymptote on your computer (not on AoPS), you can add some code that lets you rotate/pan/zoom with the mouse.

import settings;
leftbutton=new string[] {"rotate","zoom","shift","pan"};
middlebutton=new string[] {"menu"};
rightbutton=new string[] {"zoom/menu","rotateX","rotateY","rotateZ"};
wheelup=new string[] {"zoomin"};
wheeldown=new string[] {"zoomout"};

When compiling to PDF, it will allow you to rotate/pan/zoom with the mouse.

Arrows and bars

Arrows and bars in 3D are the same as in 2D except you add a 3 to the end of the name. Example.

import three;
draw((0,0,0)--(1,1,1),green,Arrows3);
draw((0,1,0)--(1,0,1),blue,Bars3);

Example

import three;
unitsize(1cm);
size(200);
currentprojection=perspective(1/3,-1,1/2);
draw((0,0,0)--(1,0,0)--(1,1,0)--(0,1,0)--cycle,red);
draw((0,0,0)--(0,0,1),red);
draw((0,1,0)--(0,1,1),red);
draw((1,1,0)--(1,1,1),red);
draw((1,0,0)--(1,0,1),red);
draw((0,0,1)--(1,0,1)--(1,1,1)--(0,1,1)--cycle,red);
draw((0,0,0)--(1,0,0)--(1,1,0)--cycle,red);
draw((0,0,0)--(1,1,0)--(1,1,1)--cycle,blue);
label("$o$",(0,0,0),NW);
label("$x=1$",(0.5,0,0),S);
label("$y=1$",(1,1,0.5),E);
label("$z=1$",(1,0.5,0),SE);
label("$c$",(0.5,0.5,0.5),N);[/asy]

Which renders to

Other 3D Modules

Other modules in Asymptote that are for 3D are: graph3, grid3, contour3, and solids.