title: How to create a 3d Heatmap from a discrete data set in Python?
body: <p>I have a large dataset of the form [(X1, Y1, Z1, VALUE1), (X2, Y2, Z2, VALUE2)...]. The geometry of the points is the surface of a cylinder, while there are many discrete points they come nowhere near being a full mesh.</p>
  
  <p>I would like to create a basic plot, where each of the points is given an intensity of a color (like a heatmap) based on how high its value is, and then the colors are smoothed to some degree to create a cohesive surface rather than discrete points</p>
  
  <p>I am currently using matplotlib, however, I would also use other libraries if necessary. </p>
  
  <p>I have looked into both surface plots and Tri-Surface plots but neither seem to do what I want (although the documentation for plot_trisurf() is a little confusing so maybe it is still a possibility). 
  I have also looked at this post: <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/40853556/3d-discrete-heatmap-in-matplotlib">3D discrete heatmap in matplotlib</a>.</p>
  
  <p>And while the set up is mostly the same, I would like to have a more cohesive surface plot rather than a 3d Tetris set up. The original answer seems pretty close to my desired solution, however, I would like the colors to be based on VALUE rather than Z and if possible for there to be color smoothing between the sections. </p>