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graph_files

Keywords: plotting, files, output
This topic summarizes those plotting options allowing you to save a plot
in a file.  See also topics 'graphs', 'graph_keys', 'files'.

When keyword phrase file:FileName is an argument to a plotting command,
no plot is displayed.  Instead, PostScript commands for the new plot are
written to file FileName, which must be a CHARACTER scalar or string.
If keyword phrase landscape:T is also present, the plot will be rotated
to fill an 8.5" by 11" page.  If option 'dumbplot' has been set to True
(see subtopic 'options:"dumbplot"'), you will need to put dumb:F to get
a PostScript file.

With file:fileName, if keyword phrase dumb:T or ps:F is also an
argument, a low resolution "dumb" plot is written rather than
PostScript.  This consists only of characters that can be printed on any
printer.  On some systems, if ps:F appears and dumb:T does not, the plot
is written in a binary form appropriate to the platform (Tektronix
commands on Unix/Linux; PICT format on a Macintosh).

If the keyword phrase 'new:T' is an argument, the information in the
file is destroyed before the plotting commands are written.  Otherwise,
information is added at the end of the file.  It formerly was the case
tha a PostScript "prolog" was written only with new:T but now a prolog
is always written before PostScript commands.

On a Macintosh you can write the plot as an encapsulated PostScript file
by using 'epsf:T, file:fileName'.  The file can be imported into some
word-processors and graphics editing programs.  epsf:T is illegal with
new:F or ps:F.

On a Macintosh and in the DOS extended memory version you can write a
binary version of the plot to a file using keyword phrase
screendump:fileName.  The format used is one appropriate to the
computer.  The Macintosh version writes a so called PICT file and the
extended memory DOS version writes a PCX file.  'screendump:fileName' is
not legal together with dumb:T or file:FileName.

On a Macintosh, item Save Graph As on the File menu writes the graph
window currently being displayed as a PICT file.

See topics 'data_files', 'matread_file', 'vecread_file' and
'macro_files' for information on files containing sets and macros.


Gary Oehlert 2003-01-15