Surface plots represent the shape of the surface that is described by the values of three variables, X, Y, and Z. The values of the X and Y variables are plotted to form a horizontal plane. The values of the Z variable, create a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the X-Y plane. Combined, these three axes, form a three-dimensional surface.

The surface plot in the following figure displays various depths of a lake. The dimensions of the lake are plotted on the X-Y axes. The Z variable is plotted as the third dimension. The coordinates of each point correspond to the values of the three numeric variable values in an observation from the selected input data set.

With the PLOT statement, you can do the following actions:

The program for this figure is featured in Generating A Surface Plot. For more information about producing surface plots, see the PLOT Statement.

Scatter plots represent the data as points. As with surface plots, the values of the X and Y variables are plotted to form a horizontal plane. The values of the Z variable create a vertical axis that is perpendicular to the X-Y horizontal plane. The values of the Z variable are represented as individual symbols. By default, these symbols are connected to the horizontal plane with lines, referred to as needles.

With the SCATTER statement, you can do the following actions: