pyvista

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3D visualization and mesh analysis for geoscience data using PyVista/VTK. Use when Claude needs to: (1) Create 3D visualizations of geological models, (2) Render seismic volumes or voxel data, (3) Visualize point clouds or well paths, (4) Plot surfaces and meshes in 3D, (5) Read/write VTK, STL, OBJ files, (6) Create cross-sections through 3D models, (7) Export publication-quality figures or interactive HTML.

2installs

Sourcesteadfastasart/geoscience-skills

Added on2026-05-16

NPX Install

npx skill4agent add steadfastasart/geoscience-skills pyvista

SKILL.md Content

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PyVista - 3D Visualization

Quick Reference

python

import pyvista as pv

mesh = pv.read('model.vtk')
plotter = pv.Plotter()
plotter.add_mesh(mesh, scalars='property', cmap='viridis')
plotter.show()

Key Classes

Class	Purpose
`pv.Plotter`	Main visualization window
`pv.PolyData`	Surface meshes, point clouds
`pv.StructuredGrid`	Regular 3D grids
`pv.UnstructuredGrid`	Irregular meshes
`pv.ImageData`	3D voxel data (seismic)

Essential Operations

Load and Display Mesh

python

mesh = pv.read('model.vtk')
plotter = pv.Plotter()
plotter.add_mesh(mesh, scalars='lithology', cmap='Set1')
plotter.show()

Create Structured Grid (Surface)

python

x, y = np.meshgrid(np.arange(-10, 10, 0.5), np.arange(-10, 10, 0.5))
z = np.sin(np.sqrt(x**2 + y**2))
grid = pv.StructuredGrid(x, y, z)
pv.Plotter().add_mesh(grid, scalars=z.ravel(), cmap='terrain').show()

Visualize Point Cloud

python

cloud = pv.PolyData(np.random.rand(1000, 3) * 100)
cloud['depth'] = cloud.points[:, 2]
pv.Plotter().add_mesh(cloud, scalars='depth', point_size=5,
                      render_points_as_spheres=True).show()

Volume Rendering (Seismic)

python

grid = pv.ImageData(dimensions=(nx+1, ny+1, nz+1), spacing=(25, 25, 10))
grid.cell_data['amplitude'] = data.ravel(order='F')
pv.Plotter().add_volume(grid, cmap='seismic', opacity='sigmoid').show()

Slice Through Volume

python

volume = pv.read('seismic.vti')
slice_x = volume.slice(normal='x', origin=volume.center)
pv.Plotter().add_mesh(slice_x, cmap='seismic').show()

Well Path Visualization

python

points = np.column_stack([x, y, z])  # Well trajectory
tube = pv.Spline(points, 500).tube(radius=5)
pv.Plotter().add_mesh(tube, color='brown', label='Well').add_legend().show()

Combine Multiple Surfaces

python

plotter = pv.Plotter()
plotter.add_mesh(horizon1, color='gold', opacity=0.7, label='Top')
plotter.add_mesh(horizon2, color='blue', opacity=0.7, label='Base')
plotter.add_mesh(fault, color='red', opacity=0.5, label='Fault')
plotter.add_legend().show()

Export for Publication

python

plotter = pv.Plotter(off_screen=True)
plotter.add_mesh(mesh, cmap='terrain')
plotter.screenshot('figure.png', scale=3)   # High-res image
plotter.export_html('model.html')           # Interactive HTML

Color Maps

Map	Use Case
`terrain`	Topography, elevation
`seismic`	Seismic amplitudes (diverging)
`viridis`	General scientific
`Set1` , `Set2`	Categorical (lithology)

Supported Formats

.vtk

,

.vtu

,

.vti

,

.vtp

,

.stl

,

.obj

,

.ply

(read/write)

When to Use vs Alternatives

Tool	Best For	Limitations
pyvista	Pythonic 3D viz, VTK wrapper, mesh operations, scripting	Requires display or off-screen backend
Mayavi	Scientific 3D visualization, volume rendering	Heavier dependency, less active development
ParaView	Interactive GUI exploration of large 3D datasets	GUI-focused, scripting is secondary
matplotlib 3D	Simple 3D scatter/surface plots	Limited interactivity, not true 3D engine

Use pyvista when you need programmatic 3D visualization of geological models, meshes, or point clouds with VTK power but a Pythonic API.

Consider alternatives when you need a full GUI for exploring large models (use ParaView), legacy scientific visualization (use Mayavi), or only need simple 3D scatter plots (use matplotlib 3D).

Common Workflows

Visualize 3D geological model with multiple surfaces

Load mesh files with
```
pv.read()
```
for each surface/horizon
Create plotter with
```
pv.Plotter()
```
(use
```
off_screen=True
```
for scripts)
Add each surface with
```
plotter.add_mesh()
```
and distinct colors/opacity
Add well paths as tubes with
```
pv.Spline().tube()
```
Add axes and legend with
```
plotter.add_axes()
```
and
```
plotter.add_legend()
```
Set camera position for desired view angle

Export screenshot with

plotter.screenshot()

or HTML with

plotter.export_html()

Tips

Use
```
off_screen=True
```
for batch processing
Add axes with
```
plotter.add_axes()
```
for publication
Export to HTML for interactive sharing
Use opacity to show internal structure

References

Mesh Types - PyVista mesh classes and when to use each
Plotting Options - Plotter settings and rendering options

Scripts

scripts/visualize_surface.py - Visualize geological surfaces from file

pyvista

NPX Install

Tags

SKILL.md Content

PyVista - 3D Visualization

Quick Reference

Key Classes

Essential Operations

Load and Display Mesh

Create Structured Grid (Surface)

Visualize Point Cloud

Volume Rendering (Seismic)

Slice Through Volume

Well Path Visualization

Combine Multiple Surfaces

Export for Publication

Color Maps

Supported Formats

When to Use vs Alternatives

Common Workflows

Visualize 3D geological model with multiple surfaces

Tips

References

Scripts