ParametricPlot3D does not export with the specified PlotRange?

Question

I am trying to plot a function with ParametricPlot3D with a specified plot range to export as an stl file, however when exporting the graphic mathematica ignores the PlotRange and exports the whole function, is there a way to make this work or some sort of intersection command to work around this?

I have the same problem when you cannot simply replace the PlotRange by restricting the parameter domain. — , Apr 19 '16 at 05:54
This does not really answer the question. If you have a different question, you can ask it by clicking Ask Question. You can also add a bounty to draw more attention to this question once you have enough reputation. - From Review — Yves Klett, Apr 19 '16 at 06:57

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 19 '16 at 08:01

As pointed out by Ivan Sterling, you cannot simply restrict the PlotRange, as this will not be respected when exporting to "STL". Take Louis's example,

ParametricPlot3D[{(2 + Cos[v]) Cos[u], (2 + Cos[v]) Sin[u], 
   Sin[v]}, {u, 0, 2 Pi}, {v, 0, 2 Pi}, 
  PlotRange -> {{0, π}, {0, π}, All}]
Export["test.stl", %] // Import

One method to make sure that you only get the plot you want is to restrict the parameter values, only plotting over the relevant values of u and v. But another option is to supply a RegionFunction

pp1 = ParametricPlot3D[{(2 + Cos[v]) Cos[u], (2 + Cos[v]) Sin[u], 
   Sin[v]}, {u, 0, 2 Pi}, {v, 0, 2 Pi}, 
  RegionFunction -> 
   Function[{x, y, z, u, v}, 0 <= x <= π && 0 <= y <= π]]
Export["test.stl", %] // Import

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 18 '16 at 16:30

Works as intended on 10.0 for Mac OS X x86 (64-bit) (December 4, 2014), see also STL (.stl)

pp1 = ParametricPlot3D[{(2 + Cos[v]) Cos[u], (2 + Cos[v]) Sin[u], 
Sin[v]}, {u, 0, 2 Pi}, {v, 0, 2 Pi}]

Export["MathematicaParametricSurface.stl", pp1]

pp1 = ParametricPlot3D[{(2 + Cos[v]) Cos[u], (2 + Cos[v]) Sin[u], 
Sin[v]}, {u, 0, 1 Pi}, {v, 0, 1 Pi}]

Export["MathematicaParametricSurface.stl", pp1]

Import["MathematicaParametricSurface.stl"]

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered May 19 '17 at 15:36

Yes there is. Your problem is your looking at the "true points" not the adjusted points.

See Mathematica BoxRatios[{1,1,1}]. I think that will do it.

If it doesn't all I can say is see the following which will (can) do it. (you can adjust the rayshade.m if needed to suite the need of your renderer, by default rayshade` uses plain text scaling for BoxRatio - your renderer may or may not like that. it also contains ability that can be utilized (not automatically) to scale the actual points). That being said: you can just scale the points using Mathematica yourself BEFORE you export! It's easy just multiply all the vertex by a scaling vertex.

see:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/rayshade-math/

How to Render, raytrace, Export Graphics3D in Mathematica 11.0

" I think that will do it." - have you tried? – Kuba May 20 '17 at 10:47 — Kuba, May 20 '17 at 10:47

ParametricPlot3D does not export with the specified PlotRange?

3 Answers3