Rotation Matrix Function Issues

I have been trying to create a function that outputs a rotation matrix when you input a certain axis and angle. My issue is that I cannot get the axis input to link to the function. The axis input continues to be highlighted on the first line and says "input argument 'axis' might be unused". When I set values for the inputs and run my function in the command window, it only displays the last matrix no matter what value I put for the axis. Here is the code I have.

function R = AxisAngle_to_Rot(axis, angle) 
for axis = [1; 0; 0]
R = [1 0 0; 0 cos(angle) -sin(angle); 0 sin(angle) cos(angle)];
end
for axis = [0; 1; 0]
R = [cos(angle) 0 sin(angle); 0 1 0; -sin(angle) 0 cos(angle)]; 
end
for axis = [0; 0; 1]
R = [cos(angle) -sin(angle) 0; sin(angle) cos(angle) 0; 0 0 1];
end
end

I have been struggling with linking inputs a lot recently, so any guidance would be appreciated.

Answer 1

[Matt J]

Change for to if:

function R = AxisAngle_to_Rot(axis, angle) 

    if isequal(axis, [1; 0; 0])
    R = [1 0 0; 0 cos(angle) -sin(angle); 0 sin(angle) cos(angle)];
    end
    if isequal(axis, [0; 1; 0])
    R = [cos(angle) 0 sin(angle); 0 1 0; -sin(angle) 0 cos(angle)]; 
    end
    if isequal(axis,[0; 0; 1])
    R = [cos(angle) -sin(angle) 0; sin(angle) cos(angle) 0; 0 0 1];
    end
    
end

Answer 2

[Russel Burgess]

It seems you might be misunderstanding what "for axis = [1; 0; 0]" does. A for loop like:

for axis = [1; 0; 0]
    disp(axis);
end

Will exceute the body of the loop with axis = 1, axis = 0, and axis = 0. You can run the code above to see that happening.

Therefore, in your code the input axis is being ignored, as all three for loops are being excuted (assigning new values for axis each time), leaving only the last execution of the last loop to set R.

Something closer to what you're aiming for might be (without any checking for input formatting):

function R = AxisAngle_to_Rot(axis, angle)
    switch find(axis, 1)
        case 1
            R = [1 0 0; 0 cos(angle) -sin(angle); 0 sin(angle) cos(angle)];
        case 2
            R = [cos(angle) 0 sin(angle); 0 1 0; -sin(angle) 0 cos(angle)];
        case 3
            R = [cos(angle) -sin(angle) 0; sin(angle) cos(angle) 0; 0 0 1];
        otherwise
            error('Invalid axis input');
    end
end

find() gets the index of the axis being specified, and the switch statement picks which expression for R to use based on this.

I'd recommend reading the documentation for for, switch, and other basic elements of matlab to get a good grasp on how they work first.

[Paul]

Actually, these lines:

for axis = [1;0;0]
   disp(axis)
end

only runs the loop one time, with value of axis being the column vector [1 ; -0 ; 0], as opposed to

for axis = [1 0 0]
   disp(axis)
end

which will execute the loop three times as you describe.

Also, probably shouldn't use a variable named axis so as not conflict with the Matlab function axis().