Plotting a 3D scatter plot using Python only returns an empty space (Jupyter Notebook)

Question

I am trying to create a 3D scatter plot using matplotlib in a Jupyter Notebook page. The code is not returning any errors, but I have yet to have the plot actually show up. The output is just blank.

Python: 3.7.3 Matplotlib: 3.0.3

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from mpl_toolkits.mplot3d import Axes3D

%matplotlib inline
%matplotlib notebook

threedee = plt.figure().gca(projection='3d')
threedee.scatter(existing_df_2d.PC1, existing_df_2d.PC2, 
existing_df_2d.data_mean)

plt.show()

I included an example of the output (it's blank):

Output

Sheldore · Accepted Answer · 2019-07-15 15:32:46Z

2

You are using two backends

%matplotlib inline 
%matplotlib notebook

As a result, there seems to be a conflict between the two backends when invoked in parallel one after the other.

P.S: When I tried putting %matplotlib notebook in the same cell as the rest of the code, I did not see any figure. When I put it in a different cell, I see the figure.

Solution: Just use either the %matplotlib inline or %matplotlib notebook in a new separate cell and things will work fine

edited Jul 15, 2019 at 15:32

answered Jul 15, 2019 at 15:27

Sheldore

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2 Comments

Pythoner Over a year ago

It worked! Thank you! Just out of curiosity, what is the difference between them? When should one be used over the other?

Sheldore Over a year ago

@alkhalifas : %matplotlib notebook allows you interactive functionalities such as rotating 3d figure, zooming in figures, within the notebook. By the way, I just realised that there is similar question asked here

Engineero · Accepted Answer · 2019-07-15 15:31:59Z

-1

In my experience, %matplotlib notebook doesn't work with 3D plots unfortunately. Just use %matplotlib inline and you should be OK.

answered Jul 15, 2019 at 15:31

Engineero

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