MATLAB: Convert from XYZ surface plot to just Z surface plot

Question

I have a data set consisting of xcoord, ycoord, and density in vectors, exported from Fluent. I would like to be able to view the data as an m x n matrix, rather than as a surface plot, surf(X,Y,Z), so that I can access specific elements of that matrix directly. (i.e., I would like to be able to say density(ii,jj) = ….). I've tried many methods for doing this, and all have resulted in a skewed looking plot.

Answer 1

You did not say what you have tried, and what did not work.

Consider:

Z = randn(100);
figure
surf(Z)
view(0,90)

That produces a (100x100) matrix, and the view call lets you look at it from the top, rather than from the side.