How to plot 3D point clouds with color changes with respect to z?

I'm doing 3D face surface data visulization. The data is a N*3 matrix, of which the 1st column represents x of every point, 2nd represents y and 3rd represents z. I want to use point-based model. So I think the function "plot3" must be the choice. But how can I use plot3 to draw each points (x,y,z) with color determined by z so that color is propotional to surface height?

I know mesh can do that, but I dont want a mesh model. I need a point-based model so that I could do further manipulation like two point sets registration.

If any one could answer me, I would very appreciate!!

Answer 1

[deus dionyssos]

plot3(x,y,z,'marker','.','markeredgecolor',z)

Answer 2

[Andrew Newell]

The easiest thing to do would be to plot pixels using imagesc.

Or you could use scatter3 (see this answer).

EDIT: If scatter3 is too slow for you, maybe fscatter3 from the FEX will help.

[Xiaochen]

I can't use pixels, they are 3D points. I need them to to be realistic. Scatter seems reasonable but I've tried, it's very slow.