Contour Plot

Method

Observations that have missing values for any of the Z, Y, X variables are not used.

If two or more observations have the same (x, y) values, their mean Z value is used as the Z value at point (x, y).

Clicking on the Method button in the variable dialog displays the dialog in Figure 36.3.

Figure 36.3: Contour Plot Method Dialog


Grid Size: Horizontal Size	specifies the horizontal resolution of the rectangular grid over which contour function is evaluated.
Grid Size: Vertical Size	specifies the vertical resolution of the rectangular grid over which contour function is evaluated.
Fit:Linear Interpolation	linearly interpolates contour function across rectangular grid cells.
Fit:Thin-Plate Smoothing Spline	fits contour function over rectangular grid using thin-plate smoothing spline fitting. The process may be much slower than linear interpolation. It usually produces very smooth contours. See "Smoothing Spline Surface Plot" in Chapter 39, "Fit Analyses," for more information on thin-plate splines.
Number of Contour Levels	specifies the number of contour levels to be drawn in a contour plot. The contour levels are initially spaced evenly within the range of the Z variable.