Charting 3 variable data

[bdixon619]

Quote from DK_:

..for every combination of those 3 parameters there is then an average quarterly return which >could< be the size of the bubble, if oriented in 3 dimensions and if I could get it to work

Okay.


How dense is this data? How many combinations are there?

 

[DK_]

130 combinations - 130 datapoints

 

[bdixon619]

Since I've never worked with bubbles in Excel...

this is a 2-step transitional probability matrix viewed from above

you can organize your data along 2 axis using a classification system for your x's and y's on one axis and your z's on the other.

the different colors in this overhead correspond to the probabilities in the key at the bottom.

 

[DK_]

Here's almost what I want. The problem here is that the coloring should identify the value at a point, not correspond to the z-axis

 

[bdixon619]

Quote from ArchAngel:


On a bubble chart, the bubble is plotted like a scatter diagram using X and Y and the size of the bubble is derived from the third variable. Use the Excel chart wizard to initially configure it.

We used to even do 4D bubble charts using color to encode the 4th value.

Bubbles work if you have two variables that can be representative of X/Y coordinates (as in a scatter) and a third parameter that is value oriented.

If you actually have three values that are representative of XYZ spatial coordinates, then you'd need to use a 3D scatter diagram.

If you told us the specific kind of data you're trying to chart instead of generalities, it would be easier to give you a more specific suggestion.

I realize now, I could put the same information I have in a matrix into a Bubble chart. Thanks again for this "How To'.

 

[bdixon619]

Quote from DK_:

Here's almost what I want. The problem here is that the coloring should identify the value at a point, not correspond to the z-axis

Yes, I've encountered this problem as well when trying to display three dimensional data. However, in the *.gif I posted the intersections of the matrix represent the peaks or valleys of the colored regions, whether those intersections occur in the interior or on the edges of the map.

 

[mail2smitty]

I like this little free program:

http://www.volny.cz/profipohanka/Chart3D_en.html

There's a "4D" charting program also available from the same source:

http://www.volny.cz/profipohanka/ProgDev_en.html

Hope this helps,
Smitty

 

[vanilla2]

smitty,

do you know, using the app at the link you pasted below, is it possible to identify the coordinates of a specific point on the 3d graph with some sort of cursor?

http://www.volny.cz/profipohanka/Chart3D_en.html

this little app looks great, my only question is in data sets with 1000's of combinations, it may be a little tedious to go back through the data to identify a specific combination deemed desirable from viewing the graphical representation.

am i making sense? ie, how do you go back and see the exact coordinates of areas in the graph you're interested in without reading through hundreds of lines of the matrix?

thanks very much for posting