VCU Math 307: Software DPGraph.

Description. This software easily graphs (and animates when there are parameters) one or more equations in 2 or 3 variables within the same coordinate system. It is well-suited for graphing curves and surfaces (implicitly or explicitly), solid regions that are domains of triple integrals as well as solids whose volumes or surface areas are to be evaluated. In addition, the "scrollbar" feature allows a visual or geometric analysis of surface slices (or traces) or finding maxima and minima of functions of two or three variables with or without a constraint.

Access. You may download and install a copy of DPGraph on your computer by clicking here and following the instructions. VCU students may use this software free of charge. However, this is not shareware and must not be transferred or given to other people without the permission of the DPGraph owner.

Basic Operation. Click here for a simple first example containing basic instructions and tips on how to get started with the DPGraph. For easy reference, consider printing these instructions using your browser's print button. Once you learn these basic features, check the following links for more complex examples from multivariable calculus and other useful ideas:

Additional Examples (learn to do math problems with DPGraph)
DPGraph Home (find complete resources for the software)

Printing with MS Paint. Windows standard software "Paint" is widely available, versatile and easy to use for printing most DPGraph outputs. After pasting the graph you intend to print to the DPGraph clipboard, open the Paint and simply paste the graph into it from the Edit menu. Note that it may be necessary to get the Paint out of drawing mode (cursor looks like a pencil) before you can paste from the clipboard.
You may add text, labels, numbers, etc then save and/or print your file. In some cases, you can overlay two or more graphs on top of each other, by clicking "Image" in Paint and un-checking "draw opaque". This is useful when you want to show several 2D curves all in one coordinate system, or several slices of the same graph together in one diagram. Re-sizing a graph that is pasted into Paint is not recommended, as both the graph and its labels can become distorted. Resize your graph by changing the size of the DPGraph window which can be made quite small on your computer screen. Use the Page Up/Down buttons on the keyboard to enlarge the graph itself within the smaller window, if it is too small to make out details. Finally, paste this re-sized graph into Paint.


General Comments. In DPGraph the Help button gives basic instructions on the software usage. It is always a good idea to save your files as soon as you've finished writing their cores, even if you're not completely done (in DPGraph, simply click "save"). This avoids a sudden loss of data due to mistakes or mishaps.