"surf" overwrites axis properties

I think I'm missing something simple here. I'm running this code:

fig = figure;
ax = axes('Parent',fig);
ax.DataAspectRatio = [1 1 1];
ax.XGrid = 'On';
ax.YGrid = 'On';
ax.ZGrid = 'On';
ylabel('y-axis');
zlabel('z-axis');
xlabel('x-axis');
view(3); % Here, the axes have equal aspect ratio and are labeled

[x, y, z] = sphere; 
surf(ax, x, y, z); % when this line executes, the aspect ratio changes and the labels disappear

As indicated in the comments, the "surf" command seems to be overriding my axis properties for some reason. If I check the axis object, the properties are still there (ie, calling ax.DataAspectRatio will show [1 1 1], but on the viewable plot, the aspect ratio changes).

Thanks.

[darova]

try

hold on

[Danny Kumpf]

That seems to work, though I don't understand why. Do you know what's going on behind the scenes with the axis object to make it work like this?

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

Same reason exactly as https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/499201-plot-command-changing-the-graph-background-and-grid-line-colours-in-guide#answer_408979

[Danny Kumpf]

Perfect, thanks.

Answer 2

[Allen]

Try reordering your properties so that they are assigned after you use the surf function.

fig = figure;
ax = axes('Parent',fig);
[x, y, z] = sphere; 
surf(ax, x, y, z); % when this line executes, the aspect ratio changes and the labels disappear

% Assign axes properties after plot functions since they tend to refer to default properties upon first use.
ax.DataAspectRatio = [1 1 1];
ax.XGrid = 'On';
ax.YGrid = 'On';
ax.ZGrid = 'On';
ylabel('y-axis');
zlabel('z-axis');
xlabel('x-axis');
view(3); % Here, the axes have equal aspect ratio and are labeled