3D Plot with Vectors (Arrows)

Showcase & Examples
1

3D plots are great when 2D just isn’t enough—especially for visualizing spatial relationships, directions, and vector interactions. This example shows how to draw multiple 3D vectors as arrows (shaft + arrowhead) using createVectors3D, then render them in a single plot.

What you’ll get

  • A 3D figure with several vectors starting from different points

  • Customizable arrow appearance (color, width, head scale, head angle)

  • Explicit axis labels and bounds (xlim/ylim/zlim) for a clean view

JSLAB_3D_plot
JSLAB_3D_plot846×646 29.4 KB

Example: 3D Plot with Vectors

// 3D Plot with Vectors

var x = [0, 0, 0, 1, 0];
var y = [0, 0, 0, 1, 0];
var z = [0, 0, 0, 1, 0];

var u = [1, 0, 0, 1, -1];
var v = [0, 1, 0, 1, 0];
var w = [0, 0, 1, 1, 0];

var head_scale = 0.2;
var head_angleFactor = 0.4;

// Build arrow geometry (shaft + head)
var vectors = createVectors3D(
  x, y, z,
  u, v, w,
  head_scale,
  head_angleFactor,
  { color: "#0f0", width: 6 }
);

figure(1);

// Plot both the vector lines and arrow heads
plot([
  vectors.line,
  vectors.head
], {
  showLegend: false,
  font: { family: "LatinModern", size: 14 }
});

xlabel("x");
ylabel("y");
zlabel("z");

xlim([-1, 3]);
ylim([-1, 3]);
zlim([-1, 3]);

How it works (quick explanation)

  • (x, y, z) defines the starting points of each vector.

  • (u, v, w) defines the direction and magnitude of each vector (end = start + direction).

  • createVectors3D(...) returns two drawable objects:

    • vectors.line → the vector shafts

    • vectors.head → the arrowheads

Customization ideas

  • Make different groups of vectors different colors (call createVectors3D multiple times).

  • Scale vector lengths (multiply u/v/w) to normalize or exaggerate magnitudes.

  • Increase head_scale for larger arrowheads, tweak head_angleFactor for sharper/wider tips.