Reference Manual

Tecplot, Inc. Bellevue, WA 2006

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06-360-07-1

Rev 03/2006
 CONTENTS
Chapter 1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Chapter 2 Managing Macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Chapter 3 Writing Forward Compatible Macros . . . . 9

Chapter 4 Debugging macros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Chapter 5 Macro Command Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Chapter 6 Macro Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Chapter 7 Macro Command Summary . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Chapter 8 Macro Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Chapter 9 Macro Commands for the Analyze Menu 225

Chapter 10 Parameter Subcommands . . . . . . . . . . . 247

Chapter 11 Parameter Assignment Values, Expressions, and

Arithmetic and Logical Operators273

Chapter 12 Raw Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285

Chapter 13 Macro Language Limitations . . . . . . . . . 289

3
 CONTENTS

4
Chapter 1 Introduction

A Tecplot macro is a set of instructions, called macro commands, which perform actions in Tecplot.
Macro commands can be used to accomplish virtually any task that can be done via the Tecplot
interface, offering an easy way to automate Tecplot processes. The only things you can do interac-
tively that cannot be done with macro commands are those actions that have no effect on a final,
printed plot (such as resizing the Tecplot process window). To augment this ability, there are macro
commands which have no corresponding interactive control, such as looping and conditional com-
mands. These commands typically go hand in hand with the execution of a macro.

You can create macros by recording them from the Tecplot interface using the Macro Recorder, or
create them from scratch using any ASCII text editor. In most cases, the most effective approach to
creating a macro is the following hybrid approach:

1. Run Tecplot and choose to record a macro to a file. Perform tasks similar to
those you are trying to capture in the final macro.
2. Close the recording session and examine the macro file. The commands gener-
ated by Tecplot should be fairly readable and easy to understand.
3. Make minor modifications to the recorded macro. Typical modifications
involve adding loops, adding variables, or adding commands that, for exam-
ple, prompt the user to enter a file name.
One of the main reasons for using the approach above is the large number of commands and permu-
tations of parameters. This manual provides an exhaustive listing of the available macro com-
mands. However, it is often easier to have Tecplot perform the action and record the relevant
command than look up individual commands and their required parameters.

An important feature of Tecplot’s macro command language is its Viewer/Debugger. Often, you
will have a well-developed macro that needs some modification. You can use the Debugger to step
through the macro to the point where you want the change to be made and then start recording to a
new file. Using a text editor, you can insert macro commands from a new file into an existing
macro file.

5
6
Chapter 2 Managing Macros

Tecplot macros are stored in files. These files are processed by loading them into Tecplot and
running them.

2 - 1 Macros vs. Macro Functions vs. Macro Commands

A Tecplot macro is a file containing one or more macro commands. These files start with the
following special comment line to notify Tecplot that what follows is a Tecplot 360 macro:

#!MC 1100

Any number of macro commands or comments may follow.

Tecplot macro functions are defined are defined in Tecplot macros by using the $!MACRO-
FUNCTION-$!ENDMACROFUNCTION commands. Between the $!MACROFUNCTION and
$!ENDMACROFUNCTION commands you may use any valid macro command (except $!MAC-
ROFUNCTION). When a Tecplot macro is loaded, all macro functions are extracted and the
attached commands are not executed until a $!RUNMACROFUNCTION command is encountered.

Macro functions may be retained if desired. A retained macro function remains defined in Tec-
plot even if the macro in which it was defined is replaced by another macro. Retained macro
functions may be called by other macros that are loaded at a later time.

2 - 2 Running Macros from the Command Line

A simple way to run a Tecplot macro is to include it in the command line with the -p flag. The
following command runs Tecplot and plays a macro called a.mcr:

tecplot -p a.mcr

If you use the .mcr extension for the macro file name, then the -p flag is optional. If you want
to debug the macro, include the -z flag as well.

2 - 3 Running Macros from the Tecplot Interface

You can run a macro file by going to the File menu and selecting the Macro sub-menu, fol-
lowed by the Play option. A dialog appears; choose the macro to play.

7
 If you want to debug a macro file, go to the File menu and selecting the Macro sub-menu, followed
by the View option. The Macro Viewer dialog appears so you can load in a macro. When the macro
is loaded, Tecplot waits at the first macro command for you to step through the commands. See the
Tecplot User’s Manual for complete details on how to use the Macro Viewer.

2 - 4 Running Macros from the Quick Macro Panel

Macros that you use frequently or want rapid access to may be defined as macro functions within a
special file called tecplot.mcr in either the current directory, your home directory, or the Tecplot
home directory. When Tecplot starts it looks for this file in each of those directories in turn. If Tec-
plot finds the file, it loads the macro definitions and associates functions to buttons on the Quick
Macro Panel (in the Tools menu). You can have Tecplot load your own macro function file by using
the -qm flag on the command line. The following command runs Tecplot and installs the macro
functions in the file myteccmd.mcr into the Quick Macro Panel:

tecplot -qm myteccmd.mcr

You can have a macro function add a button to the Quick Macro Panel. By default, all macro func-
tions defined in the tecplot.mcr file will add a button to the Quick Macro Panel, those defined
elsewhere will not. See the $!MACROFUNCTION command for more information.

If the macro file does not contain any func-

tion definitions, it will not be loaded into the
Quick Macro Panel.

If you want Tecplot to display the Quick Macro Panel at starting include the -showpanel flag on
the command line.

To see an example of a macro function file, look at the file tecplot.mcr located in the exam-
ples/mcr sub-directory below the Tecplot home directory. If this file is moved to the Tecplot
home directory, the Quick Macro Panel will have options that include 3D Rotation Animation and
Reset Center of Rotation.

8
Chapter 3 Writing Forward
Compatible Macros

In order to ensure forward compatibility of your macro commands, please keep the following
guidelines in mind. These guidelines will allow you to create macros that will work for years, on
many machines and platforms.
1. Begin your macro by opening a layout.
This will ensure that the final plot is consistent between versions of Tecplot
(even if the default style settings for Tecplot have changed). Note: An alterna-
tive to using a layout is to load data and then paste a frame style file in each
frame.
If your macro will be used for more than one layout, you can ensure forward
compatibility by:
• Using the $!PromptForFileName command. This will allow the user to
interactively specify the layout file.
-or-

• Launching Tecplot from the command line, specifying the layout and
the macro: tecplot mylayout.lay mydatafile mymacro.mcr

2. Store associated files and graphics in the same folder as the macro file.
If your macro loads files or inserts images without allowing the user to choose
them, it is a good practice to store them in the same folder as the macro file
that uses them. After recording, edit the macro, and replace the path to the file
with the intrinsic macro variable |macrofilepath|.
Example:
$!Openlayout "|macrofilepath|\Density.lpk"
This allows the macro to work without editing in any location as long as the
entire folder of files was copied there.

3. Avoid using a $!Pick command in your macro.

Changes to the aspect ratio can cause a recorded $!Pick command to fail when
the macro is run on another machine or in another version of Tecplot.

9
 • In a plot with multiple frames, don’t use $!Pick to change the current
frame. Instead, give each frame a meaningful name such as “Full
View” and “Zoom Frame” in the layout. Then use the command:
$!Framecontrol PopbyName Name = “Full View”
to access the frame you want. This will also simplify later changes to
the macro.
• If you must pick an item, make the pick as precise as possible. For
example, clicking on the center, not the edge, of a zone or slice will
increase the chances that the pick will be successful when the macro is
replayed.
When selecting text or geometries while recording a macro, click and
drag in the widest possible area around the objects to select. The com-
mand will be recorded as
$!PICK ADDALLINRECT
SELECTTEXT = YES
X1 = 1.56075949367
X2 = 3.97088607595
Y1 = 2.29556962025
Y2 = 3.91582278481
The x and y ranges can be expanded if needed.

4. Use plenty of comments in your macro.

10
Chapter 4 Debugging macros

In general, the best way to debug a macro is to use the Macro Viewer, and find
which command is causing the problem.

Here are some tips for specific problems:

Problem: The macro was created with a previous version of Tecplot to make the plot needed. With a newer
version of Tecplot, the macro will run without error, but the plot looks different.

Solution: Run the macro with the old version of Tecplot, then save a frame
style to a file. Begin your macro by loading the data, then pasting the frame
style file from a file. This will ensure that the final plot will be consistent
from one version of Tecplot to the next, even if the default style settings for
Tecplot have been changed.

Problem: The macro gives you errors such as “File does not exist” or “Cannot open file”, but you can
locate the file.

Solution: Copy the file to the same folder as the macro file that uses the file.
Edit the macro, and replace the path to the file with the intrinsic macro
variable |macrofilepath|.
Example: $!Openlayout "|macrofilepath|\Density.lpk"
This allows the macro to work without editing in any location as long as the
entire folder of files was copied there.

11
 Problem: Running the macro causes unusual error messages, such as: “No
objects to cut or the objects selected not allowed to be cut”, or “Not allowed
to adjust zones or mappings when the mouse mode is set to SELECTOR.”
When you run the macro in the Macro Viewer, you see that the problem
occurs with when a $!Pick command is run.

12
Solution: Avoid using a $!Pick command in your macro. Changes to the aspect ratio can
cause a recorded $!Pick command to fail when the macro is run on another machine or in
another version of Tecplot.
To fix the problem in an existing macro, follow these steps to make the coordinates
more precise:
1. Run the macro on the machine where the error message is generated.
2. Via the macro viewer or editor, identify the preceding $!PICK ADD or
similar select type pick command. Note the X,Y coordinates of the com-
mand. A good way to do this is:
a. Run the macro until you get the “No Objects to Shift” error message.
b. Click Ok on the dialog.
c. Bring up the macro viewer: File>Macro>Viewer
d. Find the nearest $!Pick ADD command above the current command and put a
break point on that command.
e. Press “Reset” to reset the macro and then run the macro.
NOTE: If the problem only occurs when running in batch mode then try to
determine the macro command by examining the batch.log file.
Insert a $!Pause command in your macro just before the $!Pick Add
command that precedes the offending command. Now run Tecplot
interactively from the macro viewer. You can then see the line number
where you need to put the break.
3. Back in Tecplot, select the zoom tool.
4. Hold the shift key down and notice that the running coordinates in the
lower right corner now show “PX = xxxxx PY = yyyyyy". xxxxxx and
yyyyyy are the paper coordinates of the hot spot of the zoom tool. (If you
see X and Y for grid coordinates, or FX and FY for frame coordinates, you
need to hold down the Shift key. Pick commands always use paper coordi-
nates.)
5. Move the zoom tool until xxxxx and yyyyy are close to the coordinates
noted in step 2.
6. Note where the pick occurred. It is likely the pick occurred some distance
away from the actual edge of the object to pick. Move the zoom tool to a
“better” location for the pick and note the coordinates.
7. Edit the macro file and replace the old X,Y pick coordinates with those
determined in step 6.

13
14
Chapter 5 Macro Command Syntax

A macro file consists of one or more macro commands. Comments may be inserted anywhere in the
file, except within a character string. Comments start with an “#” (octothorp) and extend to the end
of the line. The first line of a macro file contains a special comment that identifies the version num-
ber of the macro file. For Tecplot 360, this line is #!MC 1100.

A Tecplot 360 macro file has the form:

#!MC 1100
<macrocommand>
<macrocommand>

. . .

Each macrocommand, in turn, has the form:

$!commandname [commandspecificmodifiers]
[mandatoryparameters]
[optionalparameters]
where

commandspecificmodifiers These are optional command-specific modifiers. An example of a command that

uses this is the $!FIELD command. The $!FIELD command can be followed by a
“set.” If it is not followed by a set, the $!FIELD command applies to all enabled
zones. A supplied set in this case is used to limit the zones to which the $!FIELD
command applies.
mandatoryparameters commandparameter commandparameter...
optionalparameters commandparameter commandparameter...
commandparameter parameterassignment or parametersubcommand.
parameterassignment parametername op value.
op = or -= or += or *= or /=.
parametersubcommand parametername {optionalparameters}.
commandname The name of a major command, such as REDRAW.
parametername The name of a valid parameter for the previously named major command. For
example, the $!REDRAW major command has an optional parameter called
DOFULLDRAWING.
value number, expression, or enumeratedvalue.
number Any valid integer or double value representation.

15
 expression Any valid infix notation expression. The entire expression must itself be enclosed
in parenthesis. For example (3+5).
enumeratedvalue A key word that is unique to the variable being assigned a value. For example, if
the variable being assigned a value is a basic color then the enumerated value can
be one of the following: BLACK, RED, GREEN, BLUE, CYAN,
YELLOW, PURPLE, WHITE, CUSTOM1 through CUSTOM56.
Spacing and capitalization for macro commands are, for the most part, not important. The follow-
ing examples show different ways to enter the same macro command to set the width and height for
the custom1 paper:

Example 1: $!PAPER
PAPERSIZEINFO
{
CUSTOM1
{
WIDTH = 3
}
}

Example 2: $!PAPER PAPERSIZEINFO

{CUSTOM1
{WIDTH = 3}
}

Example 3: $!paper papersizeinfo {custom1 {width = 3}}

16
Chapter 6 Macro Variables

Macro variables are identified by a sequence of characters surrounded by vertical bars (“|”). Some
examples are:

|myvariable|
|loop|
|1|
|$HOME|
Macro variables can be placed anywhere within a macro command. Upper case and lower case
characters are treated the same. For example |ABC| and |aBc| represent the same variable.

Macro variables will be expanded to their value at the time the macro statement is processed.

Example: The following macro commands will result in a rotation of the data about the X-axis by
10 degrees:
$!VARSET |a1| = 10
$!ROTATE X
ANGLE = |a1|

6 - 1 Internal Variables
The following table lists variables that are maintained by Tecplot which may be referenced by
macro commands.

Variables Notes
|AUXDATASET| Retrieve auxiliary data from a data set. |AUXDATASET:Reynolds| would
retrieve auxiliary data “Reynolds”
|AUXFRAME| Retrieve auxiliary data from a frame. |AUXFRAME:Byron| would retrieve
auxiliary data “Byron” from the current frame.
|AUXZONE| Retrieve auxiliary data from a zone. |AUXZONE[3]:BC| would retrieve
auxiliary data "BC" from zone 3 only.
|AXISMAXA| Maximum value of current Theta-axis range.
|AXISMAXR| Maximum value of current R-axis range.
|AXISMAXX| Maximum value of current X-axis range.
|AXISMAXY| Maximum value of current Y-axis range.
|AXISMAXZ| Maximum value of current Z-axis range.

17
 Variables Notes
|AXISMINA| Minimum value of current Theta-axis range.
|AXISMINR| Minimum value of current R-axis range.
|AXISMINX| Minimum value of current X-axis range.
|AXISMINY| Minimum value of current Y-axis range.
|AXISMINZ| Minimum value of current Z-axis range.
|BYTEORDERING| Returns INTEL or MOTOROLA
|COLORMAPDYNAMIC| Returns one if the color map is dynamic, zero if static.
|DATASETFNAME| Returns data set file name.
|DATASETTITLE| The title of the data set, or “No Data Set” if a dataset does not exist.
|DATE| Returns the date in the form of 31 Jan 1998.
|ENDSLICEPOS| Position of end slice.
|EXPORTISRECORDING| Returns YES/NO to help macros complete record commands in proper
order.
|FRAMENAME| Returns the name of the current frame
|INBATCHMODE| Returns one if Tecplot is in batch mode, zero if in interactive mode.
|ISDATASETAVAILABLE| Returns 1 if a data set exists, and 0 if otherwise
|ISOSURFACELEVEL| Returns the current iso-surface’s iso-value. The intrinsic must use array
notation, meaning that |ISOSURFACE[2]| returns the value for the second
iso-surface.
|LAYOUTFNAME| Returns the current layout file name.
|LOOP| Innermost loop counter.
|MACROFILEPATH| Path to the directory containing the most recently opened macro file.
|MAXA| Maximum value for Angle variable for polar line plots, calculated from the
lowest numbered active polar line mapping.
|MAXB| Maximum value for blanking variable. If the plot is 2D or 3D Cartesian,
the value is calculated from the current set of active zones. For line plots,
the value is calculated from the zone assigned to the lowest numbered
active line mapping.
|MAXC| Maximum value for contour variable. If the plot is 2D or 3D Cartesian, the
value is calculated from the current set of active zones. For line plots, the
value is calculated from the zone assigned to the lowest numbered active
line mapping.
|MAXI| I-dimension for the lowest numbered active zone for 2D or 3D Cartesian
plots. For line plots this represents the maximum I-value for the zone
assigned to the lowest numbered active line mapping. For finite-element
data, this represents the number of the nodes in the lowest order zones.
|MAXJ| J-dimension for the lowest numbered active zone for 2D and 3D Cartesian
plots. For line plots this represents the maximum J-value for the zone
assigned to the lowest numbered active line mapping. For finite-element
data, the number of elements in the lowest numbered active zone.

18
Variables Notes
|MAXK| K-dimension for the lowest numbered active zone for 2D and 3D Cartesian
plots. For line plots this represents the maximum K-value for the zone
assigned to the lowest numbered active line mapping. For finite-element
data, this shows the number of nodes per element for the lowest numbered
active zone.
|MAXR| Maximum value of the R variable for polar line plots, calculated from the
lowest numbered active polar line plot.
|MAXS| Maximum value for scatter sizing variable for the currently active zones.
|MAXU| Maximum value for variable assigned to the X-vector component for the
currently active zones.
|MAXV| Maximum value for variable assigned to the Y-vector component for the
currently active zones.
|MAXVnn| Maximum value of variable nn.
|MAXVAR| Returns the maximum values of the specified variable. It is indexed by
array notation, meaning that a call of |MAXVAR[2]| gives the maximum
value of the second variable.
|MAXW| Maximum value for variable assigned to the Z-vector component for the
currently active zones.
|MAXX| Maximum value for variable assigned to the X-axis. If the plot is 2D or 3D
Cartesian, the value is calculated from the current set of active zones. For
line plots, the value is calculated from the zone assigned to the lowest
numbered active line mapping.
|MAXY| Maximum value for variable assigned to the Y-axis. For 2D or 3D
Cartesian plots, the value is calculated from the current set of active zones.
For line plots, the value is calculated from the zone assigned to the lowest
numbered active line mapping.
|MAXZ| Maximum value for variable assigned to the Z-axis for the currently active
zones.
|MINA| The minimum value for the Angle variable for polar line plots, calculate
from the lowest numbered active polar line mapping.
|MINB| Minimum value for blanking variable. For 2D or 3D Cartesian plots, the
value is calculated from the current set of active zones. For line plots, the
value is calculated from the zone assigned to the lowest numbered active
line mapping.
|MINC| Minimum value for contour variable. For 2D or 3D Cartesian plots, the
value is calculated from the current set of active zones. For line plots, the
value is calculated from the zone assigned to the lowest numbered active
line mapping.
|MINS| Minimum value for scatter sizing variable for the currently active zones.
|MINU| Minimum value for variable assigned to the X-vector component for the
currently active zones.
|MINV| Minimum value for variable assigned to the Y-vector component for the
currently active zones.
|MINVnn| Minimum value of variable nn.

19
 Variables Notes
|MINVAR| Returns the minimum values of the specified variable. It is
indexed by array notation, meaning that a call of |MINVAR[4]|
gives the minimum value of the fourth variable.
|MINW| Minimum value for variable assigned to the Z-vector component for the
currently active zones.
|MINX| Minimum value for variable assigned to the X-axis. For 2D or 3D
Cartesian plots, the value is calculated from the current set of active zones.
For line plots, the value is calculated from the zone assigned to the lowest
numbered active line mapping.
|MINY| Minimum value for variable assigned to the Y-axis. For 2D or 3D Cartesian
plots, the value is calculated from the current set of active zones. For line
plots, the value is calculated from the zone assigned to the lowest
numbered active line mapping.
|MINZ| Minimum value for variable assigned to the Z-axis for the currently active
zones.
|NUMFRAMES| Number of frames.
|NUMLINEMAPS| Number of line maps assigned to the current frame.
|NUMPLANES| Returns number of graphics bit-planes
|NUMVARS| Number of variables in current data set.
|NUMZONES| Number of zones in current data set.
|OPSYS| Returns 1=UNIX, 2=DOS.
|PAPERHEIGHT| Returns height of paper, that is, the white area of the Tecplot work
area.
|PAPERSIZE| Returns size of paper.
|PAPERWIDTH| Returns the width of the paper.
|PLATFORM| Returns name of platform, such as SGI or Windows.
|PLOTTYPE| Zero = Sketch, one = XY, two = 2D, three = 3D, four = Polar line
plots.
|PRINTFNAME| Returns the file name of the last file sent for printing.
|SLICEPLANETYPE| Plane type to which slices are assigned.
|SOLUTIONTIME| Retrieve Tecplot’s current solution time.
|SOLUTIONTIME[[ACTIVEOFFS Retrieve the solution time of zone nnn. If ACTIVEOFFSET= is
ET=]nnn]| used, the integer value indicates the first zone associated with the
nnn’th active field map. |SOLUTIONTIME[5]| would retrieve the
solution time of the 5th zone.
|SOLUTIONTIME[ACTIVEOFFSET=3]| would retrieve the
solution time of the first zone in the 3rd active field map.
|STARTSLICEPOS| Position of first slice.
|STREAMSTARTPOS| Streamtrace starting position in X, Y, Z coordinates, given in the
form of 0.5, 3.2 5.6.

20
 Variables Notes
|STREAMTYPE| The streamtrace type such as “Surface Line”, or “Surface Ribbon”
|TECHOME| Path to the Tecplot home directory.
|TECPLOTVERSION| Currently returns 110.
|TIME| Returns the current time in the form of 12:15:28
|VARNAME| Returns the name of a specified variable. This command uses
array notation, so |VARNAME[3]| will return the name of the third
variable.
|ZONEMESHCOLOR| Returns the color of a particular zone mesh. Uses array notation.
|ZONENAME| Returns the name of a specific zone. Uses array notation.

6 - 2 System Environment Variables

System environment variables can be accessed directly from within Tecplot by preceding an envi-
ronment variable name with a “$” and surrounding it with vertical bars (“|”). Using environment
variables within Tecplot adds another degree of flexibility to macros by taking advantage of each
user’s customized environment.

If an environment variable is missing, an error is generated and macro processing is terminated.

6- 2.1 Example 1
To compare a macro variable with an environment variable:

$!IF |SESSION_COEFF| == |$DEFAULT_COEFF|

# (perform some default processing here)
$!ENDIF
Where the DEFAULT_COEFF environment variable was set to some specified value of type double
before starting Tecplot.

6- 2.2 Example 2
To create a string from an environment variable:

$!VARSET |AUTHOR| = "Author: |$LOGNAME|"

6 - 3 User Defined Variables

User-defined variables are written using the macro variable name surrounded by vertical bars (“|”).
The variable name can be up to 32 characters in length. If a macro variable is defined (using the
$!VARSET command) and it is named the same as an existing internal macro variable, then the

21
 user-defined variable takes precedence and the internal value is not effected. The internal macro
variable can be recovered if you remove the user-defined variable using $!REMOVEVAR.

6 - 4 Assigning Values to Macro Variables

The $!VARSET command is used to assign a value to a macro variable. The $!VARSET command
has the following syntax:

$!VARSET <macrovar> <op> <double>

where <op> can be one of =, -=, +=, *=, or /=.

Examples:
Example 1: Add 2 to the macro variable |ABC|:

$!VARSET |ABC| += 2

Example 2: Set |ABC| to be equal to 37:

$!VARSET |ABC| = 37

Example 3: Multiply |ABC| by 1.5:

$!VARSET |ABC| *= 1.5

6 - 5 Assigning a String to a Macro Variable

Macro variables can be assigned to strings as well as to values. When using strings, only the “=”
operator may be used.

Example: Assign the string “myfile.plt” to the variable |FNAME|. Use |FNAME| in the
$!READDATASET command:
$!VARSET |FNAME| = "myfile.plt"
$!READDATASET "|FNAME|"
Note that double quotes (") had to be used in the $!READDATASET command even though
|FNAME| represents a string.

6 - 6 Replacement Text Use

You can assign replacement text to a macro variable. This is useful for handling cases where a
macro variable may be not be initialized. A macro variable with |AAAA:=XXXXX| will produce
XXXXX if AAAA is not defined. This does not work with intrinsic variables.

22
Example: Read in a data file assigned to the variable FNAME. If FNAME is unassigned, read in
"t.dat":
$!READDATASET "|FNAME:=t.dat|"
"|FNAME:=t.dat|"

6 - 7 Macro Function Variables

Macro function variables are written using a number n, surrounded by vertical bars (“|”). The
number represents the nth parameter from the $!RUNMACROFUNCTION command.

Examples:
Example 1: The following commands define a macro function that uses two parameters and a
command to run the macro function. The first parameter to the macro function is the
amount to rotate about the X-axis and the second parameter is the amount to rotate about
the Y-axis:
The command to run the macro function will cause a rotation of 10 degrees about the
X-axis and 20 degrees about the Y-axis.
#!MC 1100
$!MACROFUNCTIONNAME = "3D Rotation Animation"
$!EXPORTSETUP EXPORTFORMAT = AVI
$!EXPORTSETUP IMAGEWIDTH = 546
$!EXPORTSETUP EXPORTFNAME = "|1|AxisRotation.avi"
$!EXPORTSTART
$!LOOP |2|
ANGLE = 3
ROTATEORIGINLOCATION = DEFINEDORIGIN
$!REDRAW
$!EXPORTNEXTFRAME
$!ENDLOOP
$!EXPORTFINISH
$!ENDMACROFUNCTION
$!RUNMACTOFUNCTION "3D Rotation Animation" (Theta", 6, 30)

Example 2: The following commands define a macro function that opens two layout files:
$!MACROFUNCTION
NAME = "OL2"
$!OPENLAYOUT "|1|"
$!OPENLAYOUT "|2|"
APPEND = TRUE
$!ENDMACROFUNCTION
.
.
.
$!RUNMACROFUNCTION "OL2" ("g1.lay","g2.lay")

23
 6 - 8 Using Formats in Macro Variables
When a macro variable is expanded and the macro variable is a numeric value, it is expanded using
a “best float” format. It tries to make the number look as simple as possible while still retaining as
much accuracy as possible. If you want the number to be formatted in a specific way then you can
include C-style number formatting strings in the macro variable specification. The syntax for
including a format string is:
|macrovariable%formatstring|

Example 1: Suppose you want to pause a macro and display the message "Maximum contour
value is:xxxxxx" where xxxxxx only has two digits to the right of the decimal place. You would
use:
$!Pause "Maximum contour value is: |MAXC%.2f|"
If |MAXC| currently has a value of 356.84206 then the dialog would show:
"Maximum contour value is: 356.84"

Example 2: If, in the above example, you wanted to use exponential format you could use:
$!Pause "Maximum contour value is: |MAXC%12.6e|"
Here the result would be:
"Maximum contour value is: 3.568421e+02"

24
Chapter 7 Macro Command
Summary

This chapter presents a brief list of the major macro commands in Tecplot. All major macro com-
mands are preceded by “$!” (dollar sign, exclamation mark).

The macro commands fall into three basic categories:

• Control commands (Control in the Type column) deal with the flow of control
within a Tecplot macro.

• Action commands (Action in the Type column) perform some type of visible
action in Tecplot like rotating an object or redrawing a frame, file input/output,
or creating or destroying objects within Tecplot.

$!ACTIVEFIELDMAPS
A SetValue command that changes the set of active field maps (thus changing
the active zones) considered for plotting.

$!ACTIVELINEMAPS
A SetValue command that changes the set of line-mappings considered for plot-
ting.

$!ADDMACROPANELTITLE
Add a title to the Quick Macro Panel.

25
 $!ADDONCOMMAND
Send a command to an add-on. An add-on registers the name of a function that
will be called when an $!ADDONCOMMAND is processed. Tecplot knows which
registered function to call based on the ADDONID string. See the function
TecUtilMacroAddCommandCallback in the Tecplot ADK Reference Manual.

$!ALTERDATA
The ALTERDATA function operates on a data set within Tecplot using FOR-
TRAN-like equations. See the Tecplot User’s Manual for more information on
using equations in Tecplot. The <zonelist> parameter specifies the set of zones
on which to operate, where zonelist is a list of zones or zone ranges separated
by a comma (“,”). Zone ranges are separated by a hyphen (“-”). If <zonelist> is
omitted, all zones are affected. NOTE: the values for the <zonelist> parameter
must be enclosed in square brackets (i.e. $!ALTERDATA [1,3] to apply ALTER-
DATA to zones 1 and 3).

$!ANIMATECONTOURLEVELS
Produce an animation of a contour line plot by showing a single level at a time.
The animation varies according to the currently defined contour levels and is
limited by the values in the START, END, and SKIP parameters. To create an AVI
or RM file, add $!EXPORTSETUP commands before this command.

$!ANIMATEIJKBLANKING
Produce an animation of different IJK-blankings in your plot. The animation
starts at one IJK-blanking setting and marches through intermediate steps to a
second setting. To create an AVI or RM file, add $!EXPORTSETUP commands be-
fore this command.

$!ANIMATEIJKPLANES
Produce an animation that cycles through I-, J- or K-planes in an IJK-ordered
data set. To create an AVI or RM file, add $!EXPORTSETUP commands before this

26
 command.

$!ANIMATEISOSURFACES
The macro command $!ANIMATEISOSURFACES produces an animation of a se-
ries of iso-surfaces beginning with the iso-surface defined by STARTVALUE and
ending with the iso-surface defined by ENDVALUE. To create an AVI or RM file,
add $!EXPORTSETUP commands before this command.

$!ANIMATELINEMAPS
Produce an animation of one Line-mapping at a time. To create an AVI or RM
file, add $!EXPORTSETUP commands before this command.

$!ANIMATESLICES
The macro command $!ANIMATESLICES uses the currently defined start and
end slice position. Use $!SLICEATTRIBUTES to set these positions; $!ANI-
MATESLICES then redefines how many intermediate slices are to be used, then
animates a sub-set of those slices. To create an AVI or RM file, add $!EXPORT-
SETUP commands before this command.

$!ANIMATESTREAM
Produce an animation of stream markers or dashes, moving along the currently
defined streamtrace paths. To create an AVI or RM file, add $!EXPORTSETUP
commands before this command.

$!ANIMATETIME
Produce an animation of transient data. To create an AVI or RM file, add $!EX-
PORTSETUP commands before this command.

$!ANIMATEZONES
Produce an animation showing one zone at a time. To create an AVI or RM file,

27
 add $!EXPORTSETUP commands before this command. NOTE: this com-
mand will not work if the current frame contains a transient data set.

$!ATTACHDATASET
Attach the current frame to the data set of another frame. This command is usu-
ally found only in layout files generated by Tecplot. Note that the $!FRAMEMODE
command automatically executes an $!ATTACHDATASET command if a frame
mode is requested in a frame that does not have an attached data set. Tecplot at-
taches the data set from the closest frame (in drawing order) having an attached
data set.

$!ATTACHGEOM
Attach a geometry to the current frame.

$!ATTACHTEXT
Attach text to the current frame.

$!BASICCOLOR
A SetValue command that sets the red, green and blue components for any of
the basic colors in Tecplot.

$!BASICSIZE
A SetValue command that sets sizes of various objects like line thicknesses, line
pattern length, font height, and so forth. Sizes can be assigned when interacting
with Tecplot by either entering an exact value or by choosing from a preset list
of values. The $!BASICSIZE command allows you to change the values in the
preset lists.

$!BLANKING
A SetValue command that changes settings for IJK- or value-blanking.

28
$!BRANCHCONNECTIVITY
For zones where connectivity is shared, this command allows for branching of
connectivity information from the specified zone.

$!BRANCHFIELDDATAVAR
Allows for branching of specified variable in the specified zone for zones that
share variables.

$!BREAK
Jump out of the current $!LOOP-ENDLOOP or $!WHILE-$!ENDWHILE.

$!COLORMAPCONTROL [<groupnumber>] [Required-Control Option]

The different commands in the COLORMAPCONTROL compound function family
are described separately in the following sections. Group number is an optional
parameter ranging from 1 to 4, which defaults to 1 when omitted.

$!COLORMAPCONTROL [<groupnumber>] REDISTRIBUTECON-

TROLPOINTS
Redistribute the control points for the currently active color map so they are
evenly spaced across the color map. This is equivalent to clicking Redistribute
Control Points in the Color Map dialog. Note that this does not change the RGB
values assigned at each control point. Group number is an optional parameter
ranging from 1 to 4, which defaults to 1 when omitted.

$!COLORMAPCONTROL [<groupnumber>] COPYSTANDARD

Preset either the user-defined color map or the raw user-defined color map to be
a copy of one of the standard color maps. Tecplot must currently be using either
the user-defined color map or the raw user-defined color map in order to use this
function. Group number is an optional parameter ranging from 1 to 4, which
defaults to 1 when omitted.

29
 $!COLORMAPCONTROL [<groupnumber>] RESETTOFACTORY
Redistribute the control points and reset the RGB values for the currently active
color map. This is equivalent to clicking Reset on the Color Map dialog. Group
number is an optional parameter ranging from 1 to 4, which defaults to 1 when
omitted.

$!COMPATIBILITY
Allow datasharing access and setting, without warning.

$!CONTINUE
Transfer control back to nearest $!LOOP or $!WHILE.

$!CONTOURLABELS [Required-Control Option]

The different commands in the CONTOURLABELS compound function family are
described separately in the following sections.

$!CONTOURLABELS ADD
Add contour labels to your plot.

$!CONTOURLABELS DELETEALL
Delete all currently defined contour labels.

$!CONTOURLEVELS [Required-Control Option]

The different commands in the CONTOURLEVELS compound function family are
described separately in the following sections.

$!CONTOURLEVELS ADD
Add a new set of contour levels to the existing set of contour levels.

30
$!CONTOURLEVELS DELETENEAREST
Delete the contour level whose value is nearest the value supplied in the
RANGEMIN parameter.

$!CONTOURLEVELS DELETERANGE
Delete all contour levels between a minimum and maximum contour value (in-
clusive).

$!CONTOURLEVELS NEW
Replace the current set of contour levels with a new set.

$!CONTOURLEVELS RESET
Reset the contour levels to a set of evenly distributed values spanning the entire
range of the currently selected contouring variable.

$!CONTOURLEVELS RESETTONICE
Reset the contour levels to a set of evenly distributed, nice values spanning the
entire range of the currently selected contouring variable, with a specified num-
ber of entries.

$!CREATECIRCULARZONE
Create a circular (or cylindrical) IJ- or IJK-ordered zone.

$!CREATECONTOURLINEZONES
Create zones from the currently-defined contour lines. One zone can be created
from each contour level in that plot, or one zone for every polyline can be gen-
erated.

31
 $!CREATEFEBOUNDARY
Zone edges for finite element data cannot be turned on or off using the edge plot
layer in Tecplot. You can, however, create a separate zone which is the bound-
ary of a finite element zone. This new zone can then be turned on or off.

$!CREATEFESURFACEFROMIORDERED
A FE-Surface zone can be generated from two or more I-Ordered zones. To get
the best possible output, it is recommended that the source zones should have
their nodes arranged in a similar manner so that the connecting lines between
points are as straightforward as possible. For this reason, indices from source
zones should increase in the same direction.

$!CREATEISOZONES
Create zones from the currently defined iso-surfaces. One zone will be created
from each defined iso-surface. The iso-surfaces must be active and you must
have at least one active volume zone.

$!CREATELINEMAP
Create a new Line-mapping.

$!CREATEMIRRORZONES
Create new zones that are mirror images of the source zones

$!CREATENEWFRAME
Creates a new frame.

$!CREATERECTANGULARZONE
Create a rectangular zone. If no data set exists when this command is executed,
a data set is created with variables X, Y (and Z, if KMax > 1). If a data set exists
prior to this command, the non-coordinate variables for the zone created are ini-

32
 tialized to zero.

$!CREATESIMPLEZONE
Create a new zone by specifying only a list of XY-pairs of data. If other zones
exist prior to using this function and there are more than 2 variables, then the
additional variables are also created and set to zero.

$!CREATESLICEZONEFROMPLANE
Create a new zone as a slice through existing 3-D volume zones. Use $!GLO-
BALTHREED to define the slicing plane orientation.

$!CREATESLICEZONES
Create a new zone for each slice defined on the Slice Details dialog. Only cre-
ates slices from volume zones.

$!CREATESTREAMZONES
Create one or more zones out of the currently defined streamtraces. The new
zones have the same number of variables per data point as the other zones in the
data set with all non-coordinate variables interpolated at the positions along the
streamtrace.

$!DATASETUP
A SetValue command that sets miscellaneous parameters related to data.

$!DEFAULTGEOM
A SetValue command that sets the attributes for the default geometry. When a
geometry is created interactively, its color, line thickness, and so forth, are pre-
set based on the default geometry. This command is usually used only in the
Tecplot configuration file.

33
 $!DEFAULTTEXT
A SetValue command that sets the attributes for the default text. When text is
added to a plot interactively, its font, color, size, and so forth, are based on the
default text. This command is usually used only in the Tecplot configuration
file.

$!DELAY
Delay Tecplot execution for <integer> seconds.

$!DELETEAUXDATA
Delete Auxiliary Data in the form of name/value pairs from zones, frames or
datasets.

$!DELETELINEMAPS
Delete one or more Line-mappings. If <set> is omitted then all Line-mappings
are deleted.

$!DELETEVARS
Delete one or more variables.

$!DELETEZONES
Delete one or more zones.

$!DOUBLEBUFFER [Required-Control Option]

The different commands in the DOUBLEBUFFER compound function family are
described separately in the following sections.

$!DOUBLEBUFFER OFF
Turn off double buffering; use this command once at the end of a sequence of

34
 using the double buffer.

$!DOUBLEBUFFER ON
Turn on double buffering; use this command once at the beginning of a se-
quence of using the double buffer. While double buffering is turned on all draw-
ing is sent to the back buffer.

$!DOUBLEBUFFER SWAP
Swap the back buffer to the front. In other words, copy the image in the back
buffer to the front.

$!DRAWGRAPHICS
Turn on or off all graphics drawing. Turning off all graphics during preliminary
portions of a macro file can greatly increase the efficiency of the macro.

$!DROPDIALOG
Drop a Tecplot interface dialog. This command is mainly useful for the Tecplot
demo. To launch a dialog use $!LAUNCHDIALOG.

$!DUPLICATELINEMAP
Copy attributes from an existing Line-mapping to another.

$!DUPLICATEZONE
Make a copy of an existing zone. You can assign index ranges to create a new
zone which is a subset of the source zone.

$!ELSE
Conditionally handle macro commands. Used when an $!IF statement is
FALSE.

35
 $!ELSEIF
Conditionally handle macro commands. Used to create multiple options for
statements should an $!IF statement be FALSE.

$!EXPORT
Export an image file from Tecplot. See the $!EXPORTSETUP command for de-
tails on setting up the exported image type. The $!EXPORT command is not val-
id for animation formats. (AVI and Raster Metafile.)

$!EXPORTCANCEL
Cancel out of the current export animation sequence. The animation file being
generated is removed.

$!EXPORTFINISH
Signals the completion of an animation sequence and causes the animation file
to be created. You must call $!EXPORTSTART prior to using $!EXPORTFINISH.
This command is only valid for animation formats. (AVI and Raster Metafile.)
You may use the |EXPORTISRECORDING| intrinsic variable to make sure that an
animation sequence has been initiated.

$!EXPORTNEXTFRAME
Records the next frame of an animation. You must call $!EXPORTSTART prior to
calling $!EXPORTNEXTFRAME. This command is only valid for animation for-
mats. (AVI and Raster Metafile. You may use the |EXPORTISRECORDING| in-
trinsic variable to make sure that an animation sequence has been initiated.)

$!EXPORTSETUP
A SetValue command that sets the attributes for exporting image files from Tec-
plot. Exporting is usually intended as a means to transfer images from Tecplot
to be imported by other applications. See $!PRINTSETUP and $!PRINT for gen-

36
 erating output intended for printers and plotters.

$!EXPORTSTART
Signals the start of an animation sequence and records the first frame of the an-
imation. This command is only valid for animation formats. (AVI and Raster
Metafile.)

$!EXTRACTFROMGEOM
Extract data from a 2- or 3-D field plot. The locations at which to extract the
data come from a polyline geometry that must be picked prior to issuing this
command.

$!EXTRACTFROMPOLYLINE
Extract data from a 2- or 3-D field plot. The locations of where to extract the
data from come from a supplied polyline in the form of <xyzrawdata>.

$!FIELDLAYERS
A SetValue command that turns field plot layers on or off, or sets the 2-D draw
order.

$!FIELDMAP
A SetValue command that assigns zone attributes for field plots. The <set> pa-
rameter immediately following the $!FIELDMAP command is optional. If <set>
is omitted then the assignment is applied to all zones. Otherwise the assignment
is applied only to the zones specified in <set>.

$!FILECONFIG
A SetValue command that sets file path information in Tecplot.

37
 $!FONTADJUST
A SetValue command that sets character spacing and sizing for fonts in Tecplot.
These parameters are rarely changed.

$!FRAMECONTROL [Required-Control Option]

The different commands in the FRAMECONTROL compound function family are
described separately in the following sections.

$!FRAMECONTROL DELETETOP
Delete the top (active) frame. If there is only one frame when this is called, a
new empty frame is automatically created after this command is executed.
(Thus, you can never have a workspace without at least one frame.)

$!FRAMECONTROL FITALLTOPAPER
Resize all frames so that they fit inside the hardclip limits of the paper.

$!FRAMECONTROL POP
Pop a frame to the top (make it the active frame).

$!FRAMECONTROL POPATPOSITION
Pop the top most frame at a specified position on the paper.

$!FRAMECONTROL POPBYNAME
Pop the specified frame to the top of the view stack.

$!FRAMECONTROL PUSH
Push a frame to the bottom of the frame stack (it is given the frame number 1
and therefore drawn first).

38
$!FRAMECONTROL PUSHBYNAME
Push the specified frame to the bottom of the view stack.

$!FRAMECONTROL PUSHTOP
Push the top (active) frame to the bottom.

$!FRAMELAYOUT
A SetValue command that sets the position, border, and background attributes
for the current frame. Use the $!FRAMECONTROL action command to push and
pop frames if you want to change the settings for a frame other than the current
frame.

$!FRAMENAME
Set the name for the current frame.

$!FRAMESETUP
A SetValue command that sets parameters used to preset dynamic frame at-
tributes when a frame is initialized.

$!GETAUXDATA
Retrieve Auxiliary Data in the form of name/value pairs and save it to the mac-
rovariable.

$!GETCONNECTIVITYREFCOUNT
Fetch the count of how many zones share connectivity with the specified zone.
Count includes specified zone.

$!GETCURFRAMENAME
Query Tecplot for the name of the current frame. The <macrovar> represents the macro vari-

39
 able to receive the results.

$!GETFIELDVALUE
Fetch the field value (data set value) at the specified point index and assign the
value to <macrovar>. If the zone referenced is IJ- or IJK-ordered, then the point
index is calculated by treating the 2- or 3-dimensional array as a 1-D array.

$!GETFIELDVALUEREFCOUNT
Get the count of how zones many share the indicated variable with the specified
zone. Count includes the specified zone.

$!GETNODEINDEX
This function only works for finite-element zones. Query for the node index in
the specified location as described by the ZONE, ELEMENT, and CORNER param-
eters.

$!GETVARLOCATION
Returns the location of the variable in the zone as either CELLCENTERED or
NODAL and saves in the macro variable.

$!GETVARNUMBYNAME
Given a variable name, get the number for that variable. This variable number
can then be used to assign attributes, such as what variable to use for contouring.

$!GETZONETYPE
Query for the zone type of the specified zone. The zone type will be assigned to
<macrovar>. The possible return values are:

$!GLOBALCOLORMAP
A SetValue command that changes the settings for the global contour color map

40
 and the global light source shading color map in Tecplot. Changes here affect
all frames using these color maps. See $!GLOBALCONTOUR COLORMAPFILTER for
additional settings that can be applied on a frame-by-frame basis.

$!GLOBALCONTOUR
A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with contour
plots or contour levels. <contourgroup> refers to the defined contour groups,
C1-C4, allowed in Tecplot, and takes an integer value of one through four. The
<contourgroup> parameter is optional, and if omitted, C1 will be treated as cur-
rent.

$!GLOBALEDGE
A SetValue command that sets attributes which sets the minimum crease angle
for edges.

$!GLOBALFRAME
A SetValue command that sets attributes which apply to all frames.

$!GLOBALLINEPLOT
A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with Line-plots.

$!GLOBALPOLAR
Allows polar plots to have curved lines that are interpolated along the R-Axis
between data points.

$!GLOBALRGB
Allows RGB coloring for plots which have RGB values specified at each vertex.
This coloring option is valuable for plots with entities such as Gas, Oil and Wa-
ter. RGB Coloring can be assigned to field plot objects such as zones, iso-sur-
faces and slices

41
 $!GLOBALSCATTER
A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with scatter
plots.

$!GLOBALTHREED
A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with 3-D plots.

$!GLOBALTHREEDVECTOR
A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with 3-D vector
plots.

$!GLOBALTIME
A SetValue command for frames (2D and 3D ONLY). Different frames can
have different values of $!GLOBALTIME

$!GLOBALTWODVECTOR
A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with 2-D vector
plots.

$!IF...$!ENDIF
Conditionally process macro commands.

$!INCLUDEMACRO
Insert the commands from another macro file. Because the $!INCLUDEMACRO
command is processed when the macro is loaded and not when the macro is ex-
ecuted, you are not allowed to reference macro variables within the <string> pa-
rameter.

42
$!INTERFACE
A SetValue command that sets attributes related to the Tecplot interface.

$!INVERSEDISTINTERPOLATE
Interpolate selected variables from one or more zones onto a destination zone
using the inverse distance method.

$!ISOSURFACEATTRIBUTES
A SetValue command which changes attributes associated with iso-surfaces.
The optional group parameter can range from 1-4 and defaults to 1 when absent.

$!ISOSURFACELAYERS

$!KRIG
Interpolate selected variables from a set of source zones to a destination zone
using the kriging method.

$!LAUNCHDIALOG
Launch a Tecplot interface dialog; This command is mainly useful for the Tec-
plot demo.

$!LIMITS
A SetValue command that sets some of the internal limits in Tecplot. See Tec-
plot User’s Manual for the default values for these limits. The $!LIMITS com-
mand can only be used in the Tecplot configuration file.

$!LINEARINTERPOLATE
Interpolate selected variables from a set of source zones to a destination zone
using linear interpolation. The source zones cannot be I-ordered. Values as-
signed to the destination zone are equivalent to the results of using the probe

43
 tool in Tecplot.

$!LINEMAP
A SetValue command that assigns attributes for individual Line-mappings. The
<set> parameter immediately following the $!LINEMAP command is optional. If
<set> is omitted then the assignment is applied to all Line-mappings, otherwise
the assignment is applied only to the Line-mappings specified in <set>.

$!LINEPLOTLAYERS
A SetValue command that turns on or off Line-plot layers.

$!LINKCOLORMAPS
Set to true to tie all colormaps together.

$!LINKING
Link attributes in two or more frames so that changes to attributes of one frame
effect all linked frames.

$!LOADADDON
Load an add-on into Tecplot. The <string> is the name of the add-on to load. See
the Tecplot User’s Manual for instructions on how to specify the add-on.

$!LOADCOLORMAP
Load a color map file. The <string> is the name of the file to load.

$!LOOP...$!ENDLOOP
Process macro commands in a loop. Within the loop you may access the current
loop counter using the internal macro variable |Loop|. Loops may be nested up
to 10 levels deep.

44
$!MACROFUNCTION...$!ENDMACROFUNCTION
Define a macro function. All commands between a $!MACROFUNCTION and the
$!ENDMACROFUNCTION are associated with the macro function NAME. These
commands are not executed when they are defined but are executed when a
$!RUNMACROFUNCTION command is processed. Parameters can be passed to a
macro function. Use |n| to reference the nth parameter. (See $!RUNMACROFUNC-
TION). To use the KEYSTROKE option, <Crtl>+M must be pressed initially.

$!NEWLAYOUT
Clear the current layout and start again. A blank default frame will be created
for you.

$!OPENLAYOUT
Open and read in a new layout file. The <string> is the name of the file to open.

$!PAPER
A SetValue command that sets the paper characteristics.

$!PAUSE
Stop execution of a macro and optionally display a dialog with a message. If
<string> is set to "" then no dialog is displayed and the user must click in the work
area to continue.

$!PICK [Required-Control Option]

The different commands in the PICK compound function family are described
separately in the following sections.

$!PICK ADD
Attempt to pick an object at a specific location on the paper.

45
 $!PICK ADDALL
Add all objects of a certain type to the list of picked objects.

$!PICK ADDALLINRECT
Add objects defined within a specified region to the list of picked objects. The
region is defined in terms of the paper coordinate system. Optional filters can
be used to restrict the objects selected. The region is defined by the two corner
points (X1, Y1) and (X2, Y2).

$!PICK CLEAR
Delete all objects that are currently picked. (These objects cannot be retrieved.)

$!PICK COPY
Copy all objects that are currently picked to the paste buffer.

$!PICK CUT
Copy all objects that are currently picked to the paste buffer and then delete
them.

$!PICK EDIT
Perform a global edit operation on the currently picked objects. Only one edit
operation is allowed per $!PICK EDIT command. Objects are edited only if the
supplied parameter is relevant. Actions taken using the Quick Edit dialog in
Tecplot generate these commands.

$!PICK MAGNIFY
Magnify all picked objects. The objects will also be translated proportional to
the distance between their anchor position and the anchor position of the first
object picked.

46
$!PICK PASTE
Paste the currently picked objects from the paste buffer to the work area.

$!PICK POP
Change the order in which objects are drawn by popping the currently picked
objects to the front. Only frames, text, geometries, and the grid area for 2-D
plots are allowed.

$!PICK PUSH
Change the order in which objects are drawn by pushing the currently picked
objects back. Only frames, text, geometries, and the grid area for 2-D plots are
allowed.

$!PICK SETMOUSEMODE
Prepare to pick objects by setting the mouse mode to SELECT or
ADJUST. This command also clears the list of picked objects (that is, unpicks all
picked objects).

$!PICK SHIFT
Shift the currently picked objects. Objects are shifted relative to their starting
position. X and Y shift amounts are in paper units (inches). If snapping is in ef-
fect then it is applied after shifting in X and Y. (See the SetValue commands
$!GLOBALFRAME SNAPTOGRID and $!GLOBALFRAME SNAPTOPAPER.)

$!PLOTTYPE
Changes plot types between valid Tecplot modes such as XYLine and
Cartesian2D. Valid options shown below.

$!POLARAXIS
A SetValue command that assigns attributes for axes in a polar frame.

47
 $!POLARTORECTANGULAR
Treat the variables currently assigned to X and Y as referring to R and q and
convert them to X and Y. In 3-D, X, Y and Z refer to R, q, and y. Tecplot has
addition capabilities for transforming coordinates, please see $!TRANSFORMCO-
ORDINATES.

$!POLARVIEW
Sets the viewing style for polar plots in a layout.

$!PRINT
Print the current layout to a printer or send the print instructions to a file. Use
the $!PRINTSETUP SetValue command to configure printing.

$!PRINTSETUP
A SetValue command that sets the attributes for printing. Use $!PRINT to do the
actual printing. See $!EXPORTSETUP and $!EXPORT if you intend to create image
files destined for desktop publishing programs.

$!PROMPTFORFILENAME
Instruct Tecplot to launch a file selection dialog. The resulting file name will be
placed in <macrovar>. If the user cancels out of the dialog then <macrovar>
will be empty (see the example below).

$!PROMPTFORTEXTSTRING
Instruct Tecplot to launch a dialog containing a single line text field and option-
al instructions. The user enters text into the text field and the resulting string is
assigned to <macrovar>.

$!PROMPTFORYESNO
Instruct Tecplot to launch a dialog containing two buttons, one labeled Yes and

48
 the other No. The <macrovar> is assigned the string Yes or No depending on the
selection.

$!PROPAGATELINKING
Link multiple frames, ether within frame or between frames.

$!PUBLISH
Create an HTML file displaying one or more images. A linked layout with
packaged data may be included. You must provide the file name.

$!QUIT
Terminate the execution of the Tecplot program.

$!RAWCOLORMAP
Assign the RGB values that define the Raw user-defined color map. This does
not set the color map to use the Raw user-defined color map. Use $!COLORMAP
to set the current color map.

$!READDATASET
Read one or more data files into Tecplot to form a new data set.

$!READSTYLESHEET
Read in a stylesheet file. The <string> is the name of the file to read.

$!REDRAW
Redraw the current frame.

49
 $!REDRAWALL
Redraw all frames.

$!REMOVEVAR
Remove a user-defined macro variable. This frees up space so another user-de-
fined macro variable can be defined.

$!RENAMEDATASETVAR
Rename a data set variable in Tecplot.

$!RENAMEDATASETZONE
Rename a data set zone in Tecplot.

$!RESET3DAXES
Reset the ranges on the 3-D axes.

$!RESET3DORIGIN
Reposition the rotation origin in 3-D to be at the specified location.

$!RESET3DSCALEFACTORS
Recalculate the scale factors for the 3-D axes. Aspect ratio limits are taken into
account.

$!RESETVECTORLENGTH
Reset the length of the vectors. Tecplot will find the vector with the largest mag-
nitude and set the scaling factor so it will appear on the screen using the length
specified by $!FRAMESETUP VECTDEFLEN.

50
$!ROTATE2DDATA
Rotate field data in 2-D about any point.

$!ROTATE3DVIEW
Do a 3-D rotation about a given axis. The <rotateaxis> must be supplied.

$!RUNMACROFUNCTION
Execute commands defined in a macro function. The <string> references the name
of the macro function to run. If the macro requires parameters, then include
them (within parentheses) after the macro name.

$!SAVELAYOUT
Save the current layout to a file. You must supply the file name.

$!SET3DEYEDISTANCE
Sets the distance from the viewer to the plane of the current center of rotation.

$!SETAUXDATA
Add Auxiliary Data in the form of name/value pairs to zones, frames or datasets.
The name must begin with an underscore or letter, and may be followed by one
or more underscore, period, letter, or digit characters.

$!SETDATASETTITLE
Set the title for the current data set.

$!SETFIELDVALUE
Specify a field value (data set value) at a specified point index. If the zone ref-
erenced is IJ- or IJK-ordered then the point index is calculated by treating the 2-
or 3-D array as a 1-D array.

51
 $!SETFRAMEBACKGROUNDCOLOR
Sets the frame background to the specified color and surveys all basic color as-
signments in Tecplot, converting the all basic colors using the following rules
to achieve the best contrast:

$!SETSTYLEBASE
Instruct Tecplot on how to initialize frame style values when a new frame is cre-
ated. During normal operation, Tecplot bases the style of a new frame on the
factory defaults plus any changes assigned in the Tecplot configuration file.
Layout files and stylesheet files, however, rely on Tecplot basing new frames
only on the factory defaults. This command is typically not used by the casual
user.

$!SHARECONNECTIVITY
Share the nodemap between the source and destination zones, presuming that
the zones are FE and have the same element type and number of nodes.

$!SHAREFIELDDATAVAR
Allows sharing of the specified variable from the source zone to the destination
zone. Zone must be of the same type (ordered or FE) and dimensions. Cell cen-
tered variables in FE must have the same number of cells. Sharing is not allowed
if either zone has global face neighbors.

$!SHIFTLINEMAPSTOBOTTOM
Shift a list of Line-mappings to the bottom of the Line-mapping list. This in ef-
fect causes the selected Line-mappings to be drawn last.

$!SHIFTLINEMAPSTOTOP
Shift a list of Line-maps to the top of the Line-map list. This in effect causes the
selected Line-maps to be drawn first.

52
$!SHOWMOUSEPOINTER
The mouse icon may be deactivated within a macro to enhance the on-screen
animation. It must be reactivated before exiting the macro.

!SKETCHAXIS
A SetValue command that assigns attributes for axes in a sketch mode frame.
Axes are rarely used in sketch frames.

$!SLICEATTRIBUTES
A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with slices.

$!SLICELAYERS

$!SMOOTH
Smooth data (reduce the spikes) for selected variables in selected zones.

$!STREAMATTRIBUTES
A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with streamtrac-
es.

$!STREAMTRACE [Required-Control Option]

The different commands in the STREAMTRACE compound function family
are described separately in the following sections.

$!STREAMTRACE ADD
Add a single streamtrace or a rake of streamtraces to the current frame. The
frame must be a 2-D or 3-D field plot.

53
 $!STREAMTRACE DELETEALL
Deletes all streamtraces in the current frame. If the frame mode is 2-D, all 2-D
streamtraces are deleted. If the frame mode is 3-D, all 3-D streamtraces are de-
leted.

$!STREAMTRACE DELETERANGE
Delete a range of streamtraces. Streamtraces are numbered sequentially in the
order they were created.

$!STREAMTRACE RESETDELTATIME
Reset the time delta for dashed streamtraces. The delta time is reset such that a
stream dash in the vicinity of the maximum vector magnitude will have a length
approximately equal to 10 percent of the frame width.

$!STREAMTRACE SETTERMINATIONLINE
Set the position of the termination line for streamtraces.

$!STREAMTRACELAYERS

$!SYSTEM
Instruct Tecplot to submit a command to the operating system. For security rea-
sons, execution of the $!SYSTEM command can be disabled to prevent unautho-
rized execution of system commands via macros. Use the
OKTOEXECUTESYSTEMCOMMAND option to the $!INTERFACE macro command.

$!THREEDAXIS
A SetValue command that assigns attributes for axes in a 3-D frame.

$!THREEDVIEW
A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with the 3-D

54
 view.

$!TRANSFORMCOORDINATES
Transforms all points in one or more zones from one coordinate system to an-
other.

$!TRIANGULATE
Create a new zone by forming triangles from data points in existing zones.

$!TWODAXIS
A SetValue command that assigns attributes for axes in a 2-D frame.

$!VARSET
Assign a value to a macro variable. If the macro variable did not exist prior to
this command, then it is defined here. A macro variable can be assigned a value
or a string.

$!VIEW [Required-Control Option]

The different commands in the VIEW compound function family are described
separately in the following sections.

$!VIEW AXISFIT
Reset the range on a specific axis so that it equals the minimum and maximum
of the data being plotted. If the axis dependency is not independent then this ac-
tion may also affect the range on another axis.

$!VIEW AXISMAKECURRENTAXISVALUESNICE
Reset the axis-line label values such that all currently displayed values are set
to have the smallest number of significant digits possible.

55
 $!VIEW AXISNICEFIT
Reset the range on a specific axis so that it equals the minimum and maximum
of the data being plotted, but makes the axis values “nice” by setting labels to
have the smallest number of significant digits possible. If the axis dependency
is not independent then this action may also affect the range on another axis.

$!VIEW CENTER
Center the data within the axis grid area.

$!VIEW COPY
Copy the current view to the view paste buffer. See also $!VIEW PASTE.

$!VIEW DATAFIT
Fit the current set of data zones or line mappings being plotted within the grid
area. This does not take into consideration text or geometries.

$!VIEW FIT
Fit the entire plot to the grid area. This also takes into consideration text and ge-
ometries that are plotted using the grid coordinate system. In 3-D, this also in-
cludes the axes.

$!VIEW LAST
Retrieve the previous view from the view stack. Each frame mode within each
frame maintains its own view stack. $!VIEW LAST will not reverse alterations
to data.

$!VIEW MAKECURRENTVIEWNICE
Shifts axis to make axis-line values nice without changing the extents of the
window. Only works in Sketch/XY/2D.

56
$!VIEW NICEFIT
Change view to make the extents of the frame neatly hold the plot with integer
values for axis labels. Only works in Sketch/XY/2D.

$!VIEW PASTE
Retrieve the view from the view paste buffer and assign it to the current frame.

$!VIEW PUSH
Instruct Tecplot to push the current view onto the view stack. A view will not
be pushed if the current view is the same as the top view on the stack. Note that
commands VIEW AXISFIT, VIEW CENTER, VIEW DATAFIT, VIEW FIT, and
VIEW ZOOM automatically push a view onto the stack. Tecplot automatically
pushes the current view onto the stack when a $!REDRAW command is issued and
the current view is different from the top view on the view stack.

$!VIEW RESETTOENTIRECIRCLE
Reset the Theta-R Axis to initial settings. For Polar plots only.

$!VIEW SETMAGNIFICATION
Set the magnification for the data being plotted. A magnification of 1 will size
the plot so it can fit within the grid area.

$!VIEW TRANSLATE
Shift the data being plotted in the X- and/or Y-direction. The amount translated
is in frame units.

$!VIEW ZOOM
Change the view by “zooming” into the data. In Sketch, XY, and 2D frame
mode plots, Tecplot will adjust the ranges on the axis to view the region defined
by the rectangle with corners at (X1, Y1) and (X2, Y2). For 3-D orthographic

57
 plots, the view is translated and scaled to fit the region. For 3-D perspective
plots, the view is rotated about the viewer and scaled to fit the region. X1 and
so forth are measured in grid coordinates.

$!WHILE...$!ENDWHILE
Continue to execute a set of commands until a conditional expression is false.

$!WORKSPACEVIEW [Required-Control Option]

The different commands in the WORKSPACEVIEW compound function family are
described separately in the following sections.

$!WORKSPACEVIEW FITALLFRAMES
Change the view in the workspace so all frames are fit just inside the edges of
the workspace.

$!WORKSPACEVIEW FITPAPER
Change the view in the workspace so the entire paper is fit just inside the edges
of the workspace.

$!WORKSPACEVIEW FITSELECTEDFRAMES
Change the view in the workspace so the currently selected frames (that is, the
frames with pick handles) are fit just inside the edges of the workspace.

$!WORKSPACEVIEW LASTVIEW
Return to the previous workspace view.

$!WORKSPACEVIEW MAXIMIZE
Temporarily expand the work area as large as possible. The maximized work
area occupies the entire Tecplot process window.

58
$!WORKSPACEVIEW TRANSLATE
Shift the view of the workspace. This has no effect on the local view within any
frame in your layout.

$!WORKSPACEVIEW UNMAXIMIZE
Returns the workspace to its normal size after it has been expanded after
$!WORKSPACE MAXIMIZE has been used.

$!WORKSPACEVIEW ZOOM
Change the view into the work area. This has no effect on the local view within
any frame in your layout.

$!WRITECOLORMAP
Write the current color map to a file. The <string> is the name of the file to write
to.

$!WRITECURVEINFO
Write out the curve details or the calculated data points for the equation(s) used
to draw the curve for a selected line mapping. The <string> is the name of the file
to write to.

$!WRITEDATASET
Write the data set attached to the current frame to a file. The <string> is the name
of the file to write to.

$!WRITESTYLESHEET
Write the style for the current frame to a file. The <string> is the name of the file
to write to.

59
 $!XYLINEAXIS
A SetValue command that assigns attributes for axes in an XY Line plot.

ANIMATESTREAKLINES
Animates previously calculated streaklines to the screen or to a file.

ATTACHINTEGRATIONRESULTS
Attach the text results of the previous integration as a text field in the current
frame.

CALCPARTICLEPATH
Calculate particle paths or streaklines, starting from existing Tecplot
streamtraces.

CALCTURBULENCEFUNCTION
Calculate a turbulence-related function from two variables in the current data
set. Add the result to the data set as a new variable using the function’s name,
or overwrite the variable if it already exists.

CALCULATE
Calculate a Tecplot variable using the specified function and add it to the cur-
rent data set. If the variable already exists in the current data set, it will be re-
calculated.

CALCULATEACCURACY
Calculate the order accuracy of the solution contained in the listed zones. Op-
tionally, plot the overall accuracy versus grid spacing and plot the accuracy at
each grid node.

60
DISPLAYBOUNDARIES
Displays boundaries corresponding to a geometry and boundaries specification
without actually setting the geometry and boundaries. This macro is generally
not useful for those writing macro files, but is recorded when the user clicks the
Display Boundaries button in the Geometry and Boundaries dialog in order to
duplicate the actions of Tecplot that happen in response to that action. See “SET-
GEOMETRYANDBOUNDARIES” on page 241 for a description of the parameters for
this macro.

EXTRACTFLOWFEATURE
Extract and display shock surfaces, vortex cores, or separation and attachment
lines. Shock surfaces are displayed as isosurfaces of a new variable, ShockSur-
face, while vortex cores and separation and attachment lines are displayed as
new zones.

EXTRAPOLATESOLUTION
Perform Richardson extrapolation to estimate the true solution from three input
solutions on grids of successively finer resolution. Two new zones are added to
the current data set. The first contains the extrapolated solution, while the sec-
ond contains the estimated error.

INTEGRATE
Perform an integration over the specified zones. If <set> is not specified, the in-
tegration will be performed over all zones. If PLOTAS is set to TRUE, the integra-
tion results will be plotted in a new frame.

SAVEINTEGRATIONRESULTS
Saves the most recently calculated integration results to a text file.

SETFIELDVARIABLES
Identifies variables in your data, such as velocity, pressure and temperature, for

61
 use in analysis.

SETFLUIDPROPERTIES
Set the fluid properties for use by other commands.

SETGEOMETRYANDBOUNDARIES
Specify whether the data represent an axisymmetric flow solution (2D Cartesian
plots only), whether adjacent zones should be considered to be connected at co-
incident faces, and specify zone boundaries and their corresponding boundary
conditions.

SETREFERENCEVALUES
Specify the reference (free-stream) properties of the solution, identify two vari-
ables in the current data set for use with other commands.

SETUNSTEADYFLOWOPTIONS
Identifies time levels for unsteady flow, or specifies that the solution is steady-
state. If the flow is unsteady, the solution time levels are specified in the RAW-
DATA section. The first line of the RAWDATA section must consist of a single inte-
ger indicating the number of solution time levels. This must be followed by the
time levels themselves. Each time level must be on a separate line and must con-
sist of a floating-point number (the solution time), as well as one or more inte-
gers (the zone numbers for that solution time).

<<anchorpos>>
Assign attributes for positioning of objects.

<<areastyle>>
Change settings for the axis grid area.

62
<<axisdetail>>
Assign attributes for axes.

<<axisline>>
Assign attributes for axis lines.

<<axistitle>>
Assign attributes for titles.

<<basicsizelist>>
Assign basic sizes. The units for the values assigned here are dependent on the
parent command. Assignments here do not affect the plot. These assignments
are used only to configure drop-down menus in the interface so the user can
make quick selections.

<<colormapcontrolpoints>>
All contour color maps except the Raw user-defined color map make use of con-
trol points to determine the color distribution. Each control point has a position
and a left and right color. The <<colormapcontrolpoints>> subcommand can con-
tain more than one CONTROLPOINT subcommand.

<<colormapoverride>>
Change settings for a color map override. Color map overrides are used to re-
place a specific band in a contour color map with one of the 16 basic colors.

<<continuouscolor>>
Change settings for continuous color.

63
 <<dialogplacement>>
Describes the placement for a dialog.

<<gridarea>>

<<gridlinedetail>>
Change settings for axis gridlines.

<<ijk>>
Set an I-, J- or K-index.

<<indexrange>>
Set an index range.

<<numberformat>>
Set the format used to draw a number.

<<papersize>>
Change dimensions or hardclip offsets for LETTER, DOUBLE, A3, A4,
CUSTOM1 and CUSTOM2 paper sizes.

<<precisegrid>>

<<rect>>
Change settings for a rectangle. The rectangle is defined using two points
(X1,Y1) and (X2,Y2).

64
<<refscatsymbol>>
Set the attributes for the reference scatter symbol.

<<renderconfig>>
Set the attributes for OpenGL rendering.

<<rgb>>
Set a color value by assigning values to its red, green, and blue components.

<<shademap>>
Map colors on the screen to shades of gray for monochrome hardcopy output.

<<symbolshape>>
Set a symbol shape. Symbols can be a geometric shape (circle, square, and so
forth) or an ASCII character.

<<textbox>>
Change settings for the optional box around a text label.

<<textshape>>
Change settings related to text font and character height.

<<ticklabeldetail>>
Change settings for the text used to label axis tick marks.

<<tickmarkdetail>>
Assign attributes for axis tick marks.

65
 <<volumeobjectstoplot>>
Specifies what volume objects are to be displayed.

<<xy>>
Change settings for an (X,Y) position.

<<xyz>>
Change settings for an (X, Y, Z) triplet.

<<zebrashade>>
Change zebra shading attributes.

66
 $!ACTIVEFIELDMAPS

Chapter 8 Macro Commands

This chapter lists Tecplot’s macro commands alphabetically. Items within double angle brackets
(<< >>) represent parameter sub-commands that are listed and described in Chapter 10 “Parameter
Subcommands” .

$!ACTIVEFIELDMAPS
Syntax: $!ACTIVEFIELDMAPS <op> <set>
[no parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that changes the set of active field maps (thus changing the active
zones) considered for plotting.
Examples:

Example 1: Make only field maps 1, 3, 4 and 5 active for plotting:

$!ACTIVEFIELDMAPS = [1,3-5]

Example 2: Add zones 33, 34, 35 and 36 to the set of active field maps:
$!ACTIVEFIELDMAPS + = [33-36]

Example 3: Remove zones 1, 2, 3, 9, 10 and 11 from the set of active field maps:
$!ACTIVEFIELDMAPS - = [1-3,9-11]

$!ACTIVELINEMAPS
Syntax: $!ACTIVELINEMAPS <op> <set>
[no parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that changes the set of line-mappings considered for plotting.
Examples:
Example 1: Make only line-mappings 1, 3, 4 and 5 active for plotting:
$!ACTIVELINEMAPS = [1,3-5]

Example 2: Add line-maps 33, 34, 35 and 36 to the set of active line-mappings:
$!ACTIVELINEMAPS + = [33-36]

67
 Example 3: Remove line-maps 1, 2, 3, 9, 10 and 11 from the set of active line-mappings:
$!ACTIVELINEMAPS - = [1-3,9-11]

$!ADDMACROPANELTITLE
Syntax: $!ADDMACROPANELTITLE <string>
[no parameters]
Description: Add a title to the Quick Macro Panel.
Example: The following example adds the title “Bar Charts” to the Quick Macro Panel:
$!ADDMACROPANELTITLE "Bar Charts"

$!ADDONCOMMAND
Syntax: $!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = <string>
COMMAND = <string>
[optional parameters]
Description: Send a command to an add-on. An add-on registers the name of a function that will be
called when an $!ADDONCOMMAND is processed. Tecplot knows which registered
function to call based on the ADDONID string. See the function
TecUtilMacroAddCommandCallback in the Tecplot ADK Reference Manual.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ADDONID = <string> String that identifies the add-on. This must match the
published ID string for the add-on.
COMMAND = <string> The command to be sent to the add-on.

Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

<addoncommandrawdata> NULL If the RAWDATA section is supplied then each
line of the RAWDATA section is appended to
the COMMAND string. A leading new line
character is appended first, and each line in
the RAWDATA section will also be terminated
with a new line (except for the last line).

Example:

68
 $!ALTERDATA

Send the command GO to the add-on that has registered a command processor with an add-on ID of
XPROC:

$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = "XPROC"
COMMAND = "GO"

$!ALTERDATA
Syntax: $!ALTERDATA [zonelist]
EQUATION = <string>
[optional parameters]
Description: The ALTERDATA function operates on a data set within Tecplot using FORTRAN-like
equations. See the Tecplot User’s Manual for more information on using equations in
Tecplot. The <zonelist> parameter specifies the set of zones on which to operate, where
zonelist is a list of zones or zone ranges separated by a comma (“,”). Zone
ranges are separated by a hyphen (“-”). If <zonelist> is omitted, all zones are
affected. NOTE: the values for the <zonelist> parameter must be enclosed in square
brackets (i.e. $!ALTERDATA [1,3] to apply ALTERDATA to zones 1 and 3).

Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

EQUATION = <string> This assigns the equation to use to operate on the
data.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

DATATYPE = <datatype> SINGLE Assign the precision given to the destination
variable (that is, the variable on the left hand side of
the equation). This only applies if the equation
creates a new variable. (see Example 2).
IRANGE See the note, Range Parameters, for information on
specifying range index values.
{
MIN = <integer> 1
MAX = <integer> 0
SKIP = <integer> 1
}
JRANGE See the note, Range Parameters, for information on
specifying range index values.
{
MIN = <integer> 1
MAX = <integer> 0
SKIP = <integer> 1
}

69
 Parameter Syntax Default Notes
KRANGE See the note, Range Parameters, for information on
specifying range index values.
{
MIN = <integer> 1
MAX = <integer> 0
SKIP = <integer> 1
}
VALUELOCATION = <valuelocation> AUTO Assign the location to destination variable.
Range Parameters The IRANGE, JRANGE, and KRANGE parameters are used to limit the data
altered by the equation. The specification of range indices follow these rules:

• All indices start with 1 and go to some maximum index m.

• The number 0 can be used to represent the maximum index m. If the maximum
index m = 15, specifying 0 sets the range index to 15.

• Negative values represent the offset from the maximum index. If a value of -2
is specified, and the maximum index m is 14, the value used is 14-2, or 12.
Examples:
Example 1: The following example adds one to X for all zones for every data point:
$!ALTERDATA [1,3]
EQUATION = "x = x+1"

Example 2: The following example creates a new, double precision variable called DIST:
$!ALTERDATA
EQUATION = "{DIST} = SQRT(X**2 + Y**2)"
DATATYPE = DOUBLE

Example 3: The following equations set a variable called P to zero along the boundary of an IJ-
ordered zone:
$!ALTERDATA
EQUATION = "{P} = 0"
IRANGE {MAX = 1}
$!ALTERDATA
EQUATION = "{P} = 0"
IRANGE {MIN = 0}
$!ALTERDATA
EQUATION = "{P} = 0"
JRANGE {MAX = 1}

70
 $!ANIMATECONTOURLEVELS

$!ALTERDATA
EQUATION = "{P} = 0"
JRANGE {MIN = 0}

Example 4:By following a variable reference with brackets “[” and “]” you may designate a
specific zone from which to get the variable value. For example:

V3 = V3 -V3[1]
X = (X[1] + X[2] + X[3]) / 3
{TempAdj} = {Temp}[7] - {Adj}
V7 = V1[19] - 2*C[21] + {R/T}[18]

The zone number must be a positive integer constant less than or equal to the number of zones. The
zone designated must have the same structure (finite-element, I-, IJ-, or IJK-ordered) and dimen-
sions (number of nodes and so forth)

$!ANIMATECONTOURLEVELS
Syntax: $!ANIMATECONTOURLEVELS
START = <integer>
END = <integer>
[optional parameters]
Description: Produce an animation of a contour line plot by showing a single level at a time. The
animation varies according to the currently defined contour levels and is limited by the
values in the START, END, and SKIP parameters. To create an AVI or RM file, add
$!EXPORTSETUP commands before this command.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

START = <integer> Starting contour level number to animate.
END = <integer> Ending contour level number to animate.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CREATEMOVIEFILE = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, must be preceded by
$!EXPORTSETUP commands.
SKIP = <integer> 1 Level skip.
Example: The following command animates the first four contour levels to an AVI file:
$!EXPORTSETUP EXPORTFORMAT = AVI
$!EXPORTSETUP EXPORTFNAME = "contourlevels.avi"

71
 $!ANIMATECONTOURLEVELS
START = 1
END = 4
CREATEMOVIEFILE = TRUE

$!ANIMATEIJKBLANKING
Syntax: $!ANIMATEIJKBLANKING
NUMSTEPS = <integer>
[optional parameters]
Description: Produce an animation of different IJK-blankings in your plot. The animation starts at one
IJK-blanking setting and marches through intermediate steps to a second setting. To
create an AVI or RM file, add $!EXPORTSETUP commands before this command.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

NUMSTEPS = <integer> Number of intermediate steps for the animation.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

IMINFRACT = <dexp> 0.1 Minimum fraction for blanking at the start of
animation for the I-index. Actual I-index is equal
to IMINFRACT*IMAX.
JMINFRACT = <dexp> 0.1 Minimum fraction for blanking at the start of
animation for the J-index. Actual J-index is equal
to JMINFRACT*JMAX.
KMINFRACT = <dexp> 0.1 Minimum fraction for blanking at the start of
animation for the K-index. Actual K-index is
equal to KMINFRACT*KMAX.
IMAXFRACT = <dexp> 1.0 Maximum fraction for blanking at the start of
animation for the I-index. Actual I-index is equal
to IMAXFRACT*IMAX.
JMAXFRACT = <dexp> 1.0 Maximum fraction for blanking at the start of
animation for the J-index. Actual J-index is equal
to JMAXFRACT*JMAX.
KMAXFRACT = <dexp> 1.0 Maximum fraction for blanking at the start of
animation for the K-index. Actual K-index is
equal to KMAXFRACT*KMAX.
IMINFRACT2 = <dexp> 0.8 Minimum fraction for blanking at the end of
animation for the I-index. Actual I-index is equal
to IMINFRACT*IMAX.
JMINFRACT2 = <dexp> 0.8 Minimum fraction for blanking at the end of
animation for the J-index. Actual J-index is equal
to JMINFRACT*JMAX.
KMINFRACT2 = <dexp> 0.8 Minimum fraction for blanking at the end of
animation for the K-index. Actual K-index is
equal to KMINFRACT*KMAX.

72
 $!ANIMATEIJKPLANES

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

IMAXFRACT2 = <dexp> 1.0 Maximum fraction for blanking at the end of
animation for the I-index. Actual I-index is equal
to IMAXFRACT*IMAX.
JMAXFRACT2 = <dexp> 1.0 Maximum fraction for blanking at the end of
animation for the J-index. Actual J-index is equal
to JMAXFRACT*JMAX.
KMAXFRACT2 = <dexp> 1.0 Maximum fraction for blanking at the end of
animation for the K-index. Actual K-index is
equal to KMAXFRACT*KMAX.
CREATEMOVIEFILE = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, must be preceded by
$!EXPORTSETUP commands.
Example: The following example produces an animation showing a band of I-planes traversing the
entire data field:
$!ANIMATEIJKBLANKING
NUMSTEPS= 6
IMINFRACT= 0.1
JMINFRACT= 0.0
KMINFRACT= 0.0
IMAXFRACT= 1.0
JMAXFRACT= 1.0
KMAXFRACT= 1.0
IMINFRACT2= 1.0
JMINFRACT2= 0.0
KMINFRACT2= 0.0
IMAXFRACT2= 1.0
JMAXFRACT2= 1.0
KMAXFRACT2= 1.0

$!ANIMATEIJKPLANES
Syntax: $!ANIMATEIJKPLANES
START = <integer>
END = <integer>
[optional parameters]
Description: Produce an animation that cycles through I-, J- or K-planes in an IJK-ordered data set. To
create an AVI or RM file, add $!EXPORTSETUP commands before this command.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

START = <integer> Starting plane index.
END = <integer> Ending plane index.

73
 Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CREATEMOVIEFILE = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, must be preceded by
$!EXPORTSETUP commands.
PLANES = <ijkplane> I Specify I, J or K.
SKIP = <integer> 1 Index skip
Example: The following example generates an animation of the I-planes 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9:
$!ANIMATEIJKPLANES
PLANES = I
START = 1
END = 9
SKIP = 2

$!ANIMATEISOSURFACES
Syntax: $!ANIMATEISOSURFACES
STARTVALUE = <double>
ENDVALUE = <double>
[optional parameters]
Description: The macro command $!ANIMATEISOSURFACES produces an animation of a series
of iso-surfaces beginning with the iso-surface defined by STARTVALUE and ending
with the iso-surface defined by ENDVALUE. To create an AVI or RM file, add
$!EXPORTSETUP commands before this command.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

ENDVALUE = <integer> ENDVALUE is the value of the contour variable for the
last iso-surface in the animation.
NUMSTEPS = <integer> 2 Number of iso-surfaces to distribute between the start
and end iso-surfaces values.
STARTVALUE = <integer> STARTVALUE is the value of the contour variable for
the first iso-surface in the animation.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CREATEMOVIEFILE = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, must be preceded by
$!EXPORTSETUP commands.
GROUP = <integer> 1 values 1- 4
LIMITSCREENSPEED = <boolean> No
MAXSCREENSPEED = <double> You may need to reduce the value to correlate
with the speed of your computer.

74
 $!ANIMATELINEMAPS

Note: Go To, Loop, Bounce, Forward, and Backward are only used by the interface. Forward and
Backward can be simulated using appropriate values STARTVALUE and ENDVALUE. If END-
VALUE < STARTVALUE, the animation goes 'backward'. If ENDVALUE > STARTVALUE, the
animation goes 'forward'. Goto can be simulated if ENDVALUE == STARTVALUE, i.e. the ani-
mation goes 'one step'. Loop and Bounce can be accomplished by calling the file multiple times.

Note: When recording, the macro recorded contains exactly the animation done in the interface. So
if you bounce three times through the data, you will record three sets of forward and backwards
commands. Similarly, if you use the "one step" options a lot, you will record a lot of individual
macro commands. If you interrupt part way through an animation, you will record a partial anima-
tion macro of those steps you did animate through.

Example: The following example creates an animation of iso-surfaces:

$!ANIMATEISOSURFACES
STARTVALUE = 1
ENDVALUE = 30
NUMSTEPS = 30

$!ANIMATELINEMAPS
Syntax: $!ANIMATELINEMAPS
START = <integer>
END = <integer>
[optional parameters]
Description: Produce an animation of one Line-mapping at a time. To create an AVI or RM file, add
$!EXPORTSETUP commands before this command.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

START = <integer> Starting Line-map number.
END = <integer> Ending Line-map number.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

SKIP = <integer> 1 Line-map skip
CREATEMOVIEFILE = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, must be preceded by
$!EXPORTSETUP commands.
Example: The following example creates an animation showing plots of Line-maps 2, 4, 6, 8 and
10:

75
 $!ANIMATELINEMAPS
START = 2
END = 10
SKIP = 2

$!ANIMATESLICES
Syntax: $!ANIMATESLICES [Group]
START = <integer>
END = <integer>
[optional parameters]
Description: The macro command $!ANIMATESLICES uses the currently defined start and end
slice position. Use $!SLICEATTRIBUTES to set these positions;
$!ANIMATESLICES then redefines how many intermediate slices are to be used,
then animates a sub-set of those slices. To create an AVI or RM file, add
$!EXPORTSETUP commands before this command.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

START = <integer> START and END are measured in steps based on
NUMSLICES between the slice group's start slice value
(at step=1) and end slice values (at step = NumSlices).
END = <integer> START and END are measured in steps based on
NUMSLICES between the slice group's start slice value
(at step=1) and end slice values (at step = NumSlices).
NUMSLICES = <integer> 2 Number of slices to distribute between the start and end
slice locations as defined by START and END in
$!SLICEATTRIBUTES.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

GROUP = <integer> 1 values 1- 4
CREATEMOVIEFILE = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, must be preceded by
$!EXPORTSETUP commands.
LIMITSCREENSPEED = <boolean>
MAXSCREENSPEED = <double>
Note: Go To, Loop, Bounce, Forwards, and Backwards are only used by the interface. They can be
simulated by using the correct STARTVALUE and ENDVALUE. If ENDVALUE <
STARTVALUE, the animation goes 'backwards'. If ENDVALUE > STARTVALUE, the anima-
tion goes 'forwards'. And if ENDVALUE == STARTVALUE, the animation goes 'one step'. Loop
and Bounce can be accomplished with multiple calls.

76
 $!ANIMATESTREAM

Note: When recording, the macro recorded contains exactly the animation done in the interface. So
if you bounce three times through the data, you will record three sets of forward and backwards
commands. Similarly, if you use the "one step" options a lot, you will record a lot of individual
macro commands. If you interrupt part way through an animation, you will record a partial anima-
tion macro of those steps you did animate through.

Example: The following example creates an animation of 3-D slices:

$!ANIMATESLICES
START = 1
END = 30
NUMSLICES = 30

$!ANIMATESTREAM

Syntax: $!ANIMATESTREAM
[optional parameters]
Description: Produce an animation of stream markers or dashes, moving along the currently defined
streamtrace paths. To create an AVI or RM file, add $!EXPORTSETUP commands
before this command.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

STEPSPERCYCLE = <integer> 10 Number of steps to use for each cycle of the
animation. Increase this number to produce a
smoother animation.
CREATEMOVIEFILE = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, must be preceded by
$!EXPORTSETUP commands
NUMCYCLES = <integer> 4 Number of cycles in the animation. Each cycle
shows stream markers or dashes, moving along a
streamtrace path. If DT is the streamtrace delta
time, then at the end of the cycle, the markers or
dashes will have moved
(2*DT*(STEPSPERCYCLE-1))/
(STEPSPERCYCLE) in time.
.Example: The following example animates streamtraces for five cycles with each cycle using ten
steps:
$!ANIMATESTREAM
STEPSPERCYCLE = 10
NUMCYCLES = 5

77
 $!ANIMATETIME
Syntax: $!ANIMATETIME
[optional parameters]
Description: Produce an animation of transient data. To create an AVI or RM file, add
$!EXPORTSETUP commands before this command.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CREATEMOVIEFILE = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, must be preceded by
$!EXPORTSETUP commands.
ENDTIME = <double> The last timestep If the SolutionTime entered does not exist, the
as defined by the nearest SolutionTime less than the entered time
currently active is used.
strands
LIMITSCREENSPEED = <boolean> FALSE
MAXSCREENSPEED = <double> 12 only works if LIMITSCREENSPEED is
TRUE
SKIP = <integer> 1
STARTTIME = <double> first time step as If the SolutionTime entered does not exist, the
defined by the nearest SolutionTime less than the entered time
currently active is used.
strands
Note: Go To, Loop, Bounce, Forwards, and Backwards are only used by the interface. These opera-
tions can be simulated by using the correct STARTTIME and ENDTIME. If ENDTIME < START-
TIME, the animation goes 'backwards'. If ENDTIME > STARTTIME, the animation goes
'forwards'. And if ENDTIME == STARTTIME, the animation goes 'one step'.

Loop and Bounce can be accomplished with multiple calls to $!ANIMATETIME.

$!ANIMATEZONES
Syntax: $!ANIMATEZONES
START = <integer>
END = <integer>
[optional parameters]
Description: Produce an animation showing one zone at a time. To create an AVI or RM file, add
$!EXPORTSETUP commands before this command. NOTE: this command will not work
if the current frame contains a transient data set.

78
 $!ATTACHDATASET

Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

START = <integer> Starting zone number.
END = <integer> Ending zone number
.Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

ZONEANIMATIONMODE = [STEPBYNUMBER, STEPBYNUMBER
GROUPSTEPBYNUMBER,
STEPBYTIME]
CREATEMOVIEFILE = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, must be preceded by
$!EXPORTSETUP commands.
SKIP = <integer> 1 Zone skip.
Example: The following example animates just the first five zones:
$!ANIMATEZONES
START = 1
END = 5

$!ATTACHDATASET
Syntax: $!ATTACHDATASET
[optional parameter]
Description: Attach the current frame to the data set of another frame. This command is usually found
only in layout files generated by Tecplot. Note that the $!FRAMEMODE command
automatically executes an $!ATTACHDATASET command if a frame mode is requested
in a frame that does not have an attached data set. Tecplot attaches the data set from the
closest frame (in drawing order) having an attached data set.
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

FRAME = <integer> numframes-1 Frames are numbered 1 to numframes, based on the order
they are drawn when a Redraw All is executed.
Examples:

Example 1: The following example attaches to the current frame the data set from the second frame
drawn when doing a Redraw All:
$!ATTACHDATASET
FRAME = 2

Example 2: The following example attaches to the current frame the data set from the frame drawn
next-to-last when doing a Redraw All:

79
 $!ATTACHDATASET

$!ATTACHGEOM
Syntax: $!ATTACHGEOM
[optional parameters]
<geometryrawdata>
Description: Attach a geometry to the current frame.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

<geometryrawdata> This is the data which defines the size and relative shape of the
geometry. This must be at the end of the command after any other
parameters.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

ANCHORPOS <<anchorpos>> This assigns the anchor
position of the geometry.
ARROWHEADANGLE = <dexp> 12 Set the angle for
arrowheads (in degrees).
ARROWHEADATTACHMENT <arrowheadattachment> NONE
ARROWHEADSIZE = <dexp> 5% Set the arrowhead size in
Y-frame units (0-100).
ARROWHEADSTYLE <arrowheadstyle> PLAIN
ATTACHTOZONE = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, must include
ZONE.
CLIPPING = <clipping> CLIPTTOVIEWPORT
COLOR = <color> BLACK
DATATYPE = <fielddatatype> FLOAT
DRAWORDER = <draworder> AFTERDATA
FILLCOLOR = <color> WHITE
GEOMTYPE = <geomtype> LINESEGS
IMAGEFILENAME = <string>
ISFILLED = <boolean>
LINEPATTERN = <linepattern> SOLID
LINETHICKNESS = <dexp> 0.1% Set the line thickness in Y-
frame units (0-100).
MACROFUNCTIONCOMMAND = <string> Null Set the macro command to
execute when you hover
over the geometry and
press Ctrl-right-click. For
security reasons this
command can only be
used in the Tecplot
configuration file.
MAINTAINASPECTRATIO = <boolean> TRUE

80
 $!ATTACHGEOM

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

NUMELLIPSEPTS = <integer> 72 Numbers of points to use
when drawing ellipses and
circles.
PATTERNLENGTH = <dexp> 2% Set the pattern length in Y-
frame units (0-100).
POSITIONCOORDSYS = <coordsys> GRID
RESIZEFILTER = <resizefilter>

SCOPE = <scope> LOCAL Set the scope to GLOBAL

to draw this geometry in
all “like” frames.
TEXTUREFILTER CUBIC
ZONE = <integer> 1 This is only used if
ATTACHTOZONE =
TRUE. This geometry is
disabled if the zone
assigned here is inactive.

Examples:
Example 1: The following example creates a red circle, with a radius equal to 25 percent of
the height of the frame, in the center of the frame:

$!ATTACHGEOM
POSITIONCOORDSYS = FRAME
ANCHORPOS
{
X = 50
Y = 50
}
GEOMTYPE = CIRCLE
COLOR = RED
RAWDATA
25

Example 2: The following example creates an L-shaped polyline with an arrowhead at the
end:

$!ATTACHGEOM
POSITIONCOORDSYS = FRAME
ANCHORPOS
{
X = 20
Y = 80
}

81
 GEOMTYPE = LINESEGS
ARROWHEADATTACHMENT = ATEND
RAWDATA
1
3
0 0
0 -60
40 0

$!ATTACHTEXT
Syntax: $!ATTACHTEXT
TEXT = <string>
[optional parameters]
Description: Attach text to the current frame.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

TEXT = <string> Text string to draw.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

ANCHOR = <textanchor> LEFT Specifies what part of the text to
anchor to the frame.
ANCHORPOS <<anchorpos>> This assigns the anchor position for
the text. Units are dependent on
POSITIONCOORDSYS.
ANGLE = <dexp> 0.0 Text angle (in degrees).
ATTACHTOZONE = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, must include ZONE.
BOX
{
BOXTYPE = <boxtype> NONE
COLOR = <color> BLACK
FILLCOLOR = <color> WHITE
LINETHICKNESS = <dexp> 0.1%
MARGIN = <dexp> 20 The margin is the space between the
text and box. The margin is
measured in terms of the percentage
of the text height.
}
CLIPPING = <clipping> CLIPTOVIEWPORT
COLOR = <color> BLACK
LINESPACING = <dexp> 1.0 Line spacing to use if text contains
multiple lines.

82
 $!ATTACHTEXT

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

MACROFUNCTIONCOMMAND = <string> NULL Set the macro command to execute
when you hover over the geometry
and press Ctrl-right-click.
POSITIONCOORDSYS = <coordsys> FRAME values = FRAME, GRID or GRID3D
TEXTSHAPE
{
FONT = <font> HELVBOLD
HEIGHT = <dexp> 14
SIZEUNITS = <sizeunits> POINT The following combinations of
SIZEUNITS and
POSITIONCOORDSYS are allowed:
FRAME/FRAME, POINT
}
SCOPE = <scope> LOCAL Set the scope to GLOBAL to include
this text in all “like” frames.
ZONE = <integer> 1 This is only used if ATTACHZONE
= TRUE. This text is disabled if the
zone assigned here is inactive.
Examples:
Example 1: The following example creates the text ABC and positions it in the lower left corner of
the frame:
$!ATTACHTEXT
TEXT = "ABC"

Example 2: The following example creates the text TEXT AT AN ANGLE and places it in the center
of the frame. The text is drawn at an angle of 45 degrees:
$!ATTACHTEXT
TEXT = "TEXT AT AN ANGLE"
ANGLE = 45
ANCHORPOS {X=50 Y=50}

Example 3: The following example creates the text TIMES-ROMAN using the Times Roman font.
This text includes a text box:
$!ATTACHTEXT
TEXT = "TIMES-ROMAN"
FONT = TIMES
BOX
{
BOXTYPE = PLAIN
MARGIN = 20
}
ANCHORPOS {X=20 Y=20}

83
 $!BASICCOLOR
Syntax: $!BASICCOLOR
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that sets the red, green and blue components for any of the basic
colors in Tecplot.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

BLACK <<rgb>>
BLUE <<rgb>>
CUSTOM1...CUSTOM56 <<rgb>>
CYAN <<rgb>>
GREEN <<rgb>>
PURPLE <<rgb>>
RED <<rgb>>
WHITE <<rgb>>
YELLOW <<rgb>>
Example: Set the CUSTOM8 color to be brown:
$!BASICCOLOR
CUSTOM8
{
R = 165
G = 42
B = 42
}

$!BASICSIZE
Syntax: $!BASICSIZE
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that sets sizes of various objects like line thicknesses, line pattern
length, font height, and so forth. Sizes can be assigned when interacting with Tecplot by
either entering an exact value or by choosing from a preset list of values. The
$!BASICSIZE command allows you to change the values in the preset lists.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ARROWHEADSIZES <<basicsizelist>>
FRAMETEXTSIZES <<basicsizelist>>
LINEPATLENGTHS <<basicsizelist>>

84
 $!BLANKING

Parameter Syntax Notes

LINETHICKNESSES <<basicsizelist>>
POINTTEXTSIZES <<basicsizelist>>
SYMBOLSIZES <<basicsizelist>>
TICKLENGTHS <<basicsizelist>>
Example: Change the medium line pattern length to be 2.5 percent:
$!BASICSIZE
LINEPATLENGTHS
{
MEDIUM = 2.5
}

$!BLANKING
Syntax: $!BLANKING
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that changes settings for IJK- or value-blanking.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

DEPTH
{
INCLUDE = <boolean> If TRUE, draws only those portions at the plot with
depth values within the FROMFRONT and
FROMBACK limits.
FROMFRONT = <double> FROMFRONT and FROMBACK are expressed as
percentages of the overall 3-D depth.
FROMBACK = <double> FROMFRONT and FROMBACK are expressed as
percentages of the overall 3-D depth.
}
IJK
{
INCLUDE
IJKBLANKMODE <op> <boolean>
IMINFRACT = <ijkblankmode> Minimum and maximum fractions are in terms of
JMINFRACT <op> <dexp> percentages (0-100). Zero represents an index of
KMINFRACT <op> <dexp> one and 100 the maximum index.
IMAXFRACT <op> <dexp>
JMAXFRACT <op> <dexp>
KMAXFRACT <op> <dexp>
ZONE = <integer> Only one zone can be assigned to use IJK-
blanking.
}
VALUE

85
 Parameter Syntax Notes
{
BLANKENTIRECELL = <boolean> Set to FALSE to get precision-blanking.

CONSTRAINT nnn nnn = <integer> Use <integer> to specify which constraint to

modify.
{
COLOR = <color>
CONSTRAINTOP2MODE = <constrainintop2mode>
INCLUDE = <boolean>
LINEPATTERN = <linepattern>
LINETHICKNESS = <double>
PATTERNLENGTH = <double>
RELOP = <valueblankrelop>
SHOW = <boolean>
VALUECUTOFF = <double>
VARA = <integer>
VARB = <integer>
}
INCLUDE = <boolean> Set to FALSE to turn off all value-blanking.
VALUEBLANKCELLMODE = <valueblankcellmode>
}
Examples:
Example 1: Set IJK-blanking to cut away the minimum index corner:
$!BLANKING
IJK
{
INCLUDE = YES
IMINFRACT = 0
JMINFRACT = 0
KMINFRACT = 0
IMAXFRACT = 50
JMAXFRACT = 50
KMAXFRACT = 50
}

Example 2: Use value-blanking to cut away all cells that have at least one node where variable 3 is
less than or equal to 7.5:
$!BLANKING
VALUE
{
INCLUDE = YES
CONSTRAINT 1
{

86
 $!BRANCHCONNECTIVITY

INCLUDE = YES
VARA = 3
RELOP = LESSTHANOREQUAL
VALUECUTOFF = 7.5
}
}

$!BRANCHCONNECTIVITY
Syntax: $!BRANCHCONNECTIVITY
ZONE = <integer>
[no optional parameters]
Description: For zones where connectivity is shared, this command allows for branching of
connectivity information from the specified zone.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ZONE = <integer>

Example: Suppose Zones 2, 3 and 4 share connectivity. This command branches the connectivity of
the second zone. Zones 3 and 4 will still share connectivity.
$!BRANCHCONNECTIVITY
ZONE = 2

$!BRANCHFIELDDATAVAR
Syntax: $!BRANCHFIELDDATAVAR
ZONE = <integer>
VAR = <integer>
[no optional parameters]
Description: Allows for branching of specified variable in the specified zone for zones that share
variables.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

VAR = <integer>
ZONE = <integer>

87
 Example: Assume Zones 1, 2 and 4 share variables 3 and 5. This command branches the third
variable from the second zone. Variable 3 will still be shared by zones 1 and 4, while
variable 5 will still be shared by all three zones.:
$!BRANCHFIELDDATAVAR
ZONE = 2
VAR = 3

$!BREAK
Syntax: $!BREAK
[no parameters]
Description: Jump out of the current $!LOOP-ENDLOOP or $!WHILE-$!ENDWHILE.
Example: $!LOOP 5
.
.
.
$!BREAK
.
.
.
$!ENDLOOP

$!COLORMAPCONTROL [<groupnumber>] [Required-Control Option]

Description: The different commands in the COLORMAPCONTROL compound function family are
described separately in the following sections. Group number is an optional parameter
ranging from 1 to 4, which defaults to 1 when omitted.
The COLORMAPCONTROL compound functions are:
$!COLORMAPCONTROL [<groupnumber>]
REDISTRIBUTECONTROLPOINTS
$!COLORMAPCONTROL [<groupnumber>] COPYSTANDARD
$!COLORMAPCONTROL [<groupnumber>] RESETTOFACTORY

$!COLORMAPCONTROL [<groupnumber>] REDISTRIBUTECONTROLPOINTS

Syntax: $!COLORMAPCONTROL [<groupnumber>] REDISTRIBUTECONTROLPOINTS
[no parameters]
Description: Redistribute the control points for the currently active color map so they are evenly

88
 $!COLORMAPCONTROL [<groupnumber>] COPYSTANDARD

spaced across the color map. This is equivalent to clicking Redistribute Control Points in
the Color Map dialog. Note that this does not change the RGB values assigned at each
control point. Group number is an optional parameter ranging from 1 to 4, which
defaults to 1 when omitted.
Example: $!COLORMAPCONTROL REDISTRIBUTECONTROLPOINTS

$!COLORMAPCONTROL [<groupnumber>] COPYSTANDARD

Syntax: $!COLORMAPCONTROL [<groupnumber>] COPYSTANDARD
CONTOURCOLORMAP = <standardcolormap>
Description: Preset either the user-defined color map or the raw user-defined color map to be a copy of
one of the standard color maps. Tecplot must currently be using either the user-defined
color map or the raw user-defined color map in order to use this function. Group number
is an optional parameter ranging from 1 to 4, which defaults to 1 when omitted.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

CONTOURCOLORMAP = <standardcolormap> The color map to copy.
Example: The following example sets the current color map to be a copy of the small rainbow color
map:
$!COLORMAPCONTROL COPYSTANDARD
CONTOURCOLORMAP = SMRAINBOW

$!COLORMAPCONTROL [<groupnumber>] RESETTOFACTORY

Syntax: $!COLORMAPCONTROL [<groupnumber>] RESETTOFACTORY
[no parameters]
Description: Redistribute the control points and reset the RGB values for the currently active color
map. This is equivalent to clicking Reset on the Color Map dialog. Group number is an
optional parameter ranging from 1 to 4, which defaults to 1 when omitted.
Example: $!COLORMAPCONTROL RESETTOFACTORY

$!COMPATIBILITY
Syntax: $!COMPATIBILITY
[optional parameters]

89
 Description: Allow datasharing access and setting, without warning.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

ALLOWDATASHARING = <boolean> TRUE If FALSE, Tecplot will not allow data sharing. This
may be necessary to use older add-ons that cannot
handle shared data.
USEV10TEXTFORMATTING = <boolean> TRUE If FALSE, allows Tecplot to display text subscripts
and superscripts created with older Tecplot versions
without automatically converting the text to the new
formatting.
Example: The following commands turn on datasharing:
$!COMPATIBILITY ALLOWDATASHARING=TRUE

$!CONTINUE
Syntax: $!CONTINUE
Description: Transfer control back to nearest $!LOOP or $!WHILE.
Example: $!LOOP 10
.
.
.
$!CONTINUE
.
.
.
$!ENDLOOP

$!CONTOURLABELS [Required-Control Option]

Description: The different commands in the CONTOURLABELS compound function family are
described separately in the following sections.
The CONTOURLABELS compound functions are:
$!CONTOURLABELS ADD
$!CONTOURLABELS DELETEALL

$!CONTOURLABELS ADD
Syntax: $!CONTOURLABELS ADD
[optional parameters]

90
 $!CONTOURLABELS DELETEALL

Description: Add contour labels to your plot.

Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CONTOURGROUP = <integer> 1 Defines which contour group is changed.
ISALIGNED = <boolean> TRUE If TRUE then align the contour label along the contour
line; if FALSE, draw the label horizontally.
XYZPOS
{
X = <dexp> 0.0 X-position for contour label.
Y = <dexp> 0.0 Y-position for contour label.
Z = <dexp> 0.0 Z-position for contour label (use Z only for 3-D plots).
}
Example: The following commands add labels at (0.5, 0.25) and (0.73, 0.17) in a 2-D field plot. The
labels will be aligned:
$!CONTOURLABELS ADD
CONTOURGROUP = 2
XYZPOS
{
X = 0.5
Y = 0.25
}
$!CONTOURLABELS ADD
XYZPOS
{
X = 0.73
Y = 0.17
}

$!CONTOURLABELS DELETEALL
Syntax: $!CONTOURLABELS DELETEALL
[optional parameters]
Description: Delete all currently defined contour labels.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CONTOURGROUP = <integer> 1 Defines which contour group is changed.
Example: $!CONTOURLABELS DELETEALL
CONTOURGROUP = 3

91
 $!CONTOURLEVELS [Required-Control Option]
Description: The different commands in the CONTOURLEVELS compound function family are
described separately in the following sections.
The CONTOURLEVELS compound functions are:
$!CONTOURLEVELS ADD
$!CONTOURLEVELS NEW
$!CONTOURLEVELS DELETENEAREST
$!CONTOURLEVELS DELETERANGE
$!CONTOURLEVELS RESET
$!CONTOURLEVELS RESETTONICE

$!CONTOURLEVELS ADD
Syntax: $!CONTOURLEVELS ADD
<contourlevelrawdata>
[optional parameters]
Description: Add a new set of contour levels to the existing set of contour levels.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

<contourlevelrawdata> Supply a list of contour levels to add.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CONTOURGROUP = <integer> 1 Defines which contour group is changed.

Example: Add contour levels 1.7, 3.4 and 2.9 to the plot:
$!CONTOURLEVELS ADD
RAWDATA
3
1.7
3.4
2.9

92
 $!CONTOURLEVELS DELETENEAREST

$!CONTOURLEVELS DELETENEAREST
Syntax: $!CONTOURLEVELS DELETENEAREST
RANGEMIN = <dexp>
[optional parameters]
Description: Delete the contour level whose value is nearest the value supplied in the RANGEMIN
parameter.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

RANGEMIN = <dexp> Delete the contour level whose value is nearest to this
value.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CONTOURGROUP = <integer> 1 Defines which contour group is changed.
Example: Delete the contour level whose value is nearest to 3.4:
$!CONTOURLEVELS DELETENEAREST
RANGEMIN = 3.4

$!CONTOURLEVELS DELETERANGE
Syntax: $!CONTOURLEVELS DELETERANGE
RANGEMIN = <dexp>
RANGEMAX = <dexp>
[optional parameters]
Description: Delete all contour levels between a minimum and maximum contour value (inclusive).
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

RANGEMIN = <dexp> Minimum contour level to delete.
RANGEMAX = <dexp> Maximum contour level to delete.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CONTOURGROUP = <integer> 1 Defines which contour group is changed.
Example: Delete all contour levels between 0.1 and 0.7:
$!CONTOURLEVELS DELETERANGE
RANGEMIN = 0.1

93
 RANGEMAX = 0.7

$!CONTOURLEVELS NEW
Syntax: $!CONTOURLEVELS NEW
<contourlevelrawdata>
[optional parameters]
Description: Replace the current set of contour levels with a new set.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

<contourlevelrawdata> Supply a list of contour levels to add.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CONTOURGROUP = <integer> 1 Defines which contour group is changed.
Example: Replace the current set of contour levels with the levels 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0:
$!CONTOURLEVELS NEW
RAWDATA
3
0.5
0.75
1.0

$!CONTOURLEVELS RESET
Syntax: $!CONTOURLEVELS RESET
NUMVALUES = <integer>
[optional parameters]

Description: Reset the contour levels to a set of evenly distributed values spanning the entire range of
the currently selected contouring variable.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

NUMVALUES = <integer> New number of contour levels.

94
 $!CONTOURLEVELS RESETTONICE

Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CONTOURGROUP = <integer> 1 Defines which contour group is changed.
Example: Reset the contour levels to use 150 levels:
$!CONTOURLEVELS RESET
NUMVALUES = 150

$!CONTOURLEVELS RESETTONICE
Syntax: $!CONTOURLEVELS RESETTONICE
APPROXNUMVALUES = <integer>
[optional parameters]

Description: Reset the contour levels to a set of evenly distributed, nice values spanning the entire
range of the currently selected contouring variable, with a specified number of entries.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

APPROXNUMVALUES = <integer> Approximate number of contour levels desired. Actual value may be
different.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CONTOURGROUP = <integer> 1 Defines which contour group is changed.
Example: Reset the contour levels to use 150 levels:
$!CONTOURLEVELS RESETTONICE
APPROXNUMVALUES = 10

$!CREATECIRCULARZONE
Syntax: $!CREATECIRCULARZONE
IMAX = <integer>
JMAX = <integer>
[optional parameters]
Description: Create a circular (or cylindrical) IJ- or IJK-ordered zone.

95
 Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

IMax = <integer> Radial direction.
JMax = <integer> Circumferential direction, must be greater than 3.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

DATATYPE = <datatype> SINGLE
KMax = <integer> 1 Bottom to top direction
RADIUS = <dexp> 1
X = <dexp> 0 X-coordinate for center.
XVAR = <integer> Auto Only needed when processing journal
instructions.
Y = <dexp> 0 Y-coordinate for center.
YVAR = <integer> Auto Only needed when processing journal
instructions.
Z1 = <dexp> 0 Z-minimum if a cylinder is created.
Z2 = <dexp> 1 Z-maximum if a cylinder is created.
ZVAR = <integer> Auto Only needed when processing journal
instructions.
Examples:
Example 1: Create a circular 10 by 20 IJ-ordered zone centered at (5, 5) with a radius of 2:
$!CREATECIRCULARZONE
IMax = 10
JMax = 20
X = 5
Y = 5
RADIUS = 2

Example 2: Create a cylindrical 5 by 6 by 8 IJK-ordered zone with the bottom centered at (4, 4, 0)
and the top centered at (4, 4, 7) and a radius of 3:
$!CREATECIRCULARZONE
IMax = 5
JMax = 6
KMax = 8
X = 4
Y = 4
Z1 = 0
Z2 = 7
RADIUS = 3

96
 $!CREATECONTOURLINEZONES

$!CREATECONTOURLINEZONES
Syntax: $!CREATECONTOURLINEZONES [group]
[optional parameters]
Description: Create zones from the currently-defined contour lines. One zone can be created from each
contour level in that plot, or one zone for every polyline can be generated.
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

CONTLINECREATEMODE = [ONEZONEPERCONTOURLEVEL or Select whether one zone per contour
ONEZONEPERINDEPENDENTPOLYLINE lever will be created or whether
there will be a zone for each
polyline.
Example: Create a new zone for each contour line on an existing contour plot.

$!CREATECONTOURLINEZONES
CONTLINECREATEMODE = ONEZONEPERCONTOURLEVEL

$!CREATEFEBOUNDARY
Syntax: $!CREATEFEBOUNDARY
SOURCEZONE = <integer>
[optional parameters]
Description: Zone edges for finite element data cannot be turned on or off using the edge plot layer in
Tecplot. You can, however, create a separate zone which is the boundary of a finite
element zone. This new zone can then be turned on or off.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

SOURCEZONE = <integer> Zone to extract the boundary from.
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

REMOVEBLANKEDSURFACES = <boolean> FALSE Set to TRUE if you want the resulting zone to
include only the boundary adjacent to non-
blanked cells.
Example: Create an FE-boundary zone from zone 3:
$!CREATEFEBOUNDARY
SOURCEZONE = 3

97
 $!CREATEFESURFACEFROMIORDERED
Syntax: $!CREATEFESURFACEFROMIORDERED
SOURCEZONES = <set>
[optional parameters]
Description: A FE-Surface zone can be generated from two or more I-Ordered zones. To get the best
possible output, it is recommended that the source zones should have their nodes arranged
in a similar manner so that the connecting lines between points are as straightforward as
possible. For this reason, indices from source zones should increase in the same direction.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

SOURCEZONES = <set> Zones whose points will be used to create the new surface.
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CONNECTSTARTTOEND = <boolean> FALSE TRUE allows for closed surfaces.
Example: Create an FE-Surface zone from zones 3 and 4:
$!CREATEFESURFACEFROMIORDERED
SOURCEZONES = [3-4]

$!CREATEISOZONES
Syntax: $!CREATEISOZONES
[no parameters]
Description: Create zones from the currently defined iso-surfaces. One zone will be created from each
defined iso-surface. The iso-surfaces must be active and you must have at least one active
volume zone.
Example: $!CREATEISOZONES

$!CREATELINEMAP
Syntax: $!CREATELINEMAP
[no parameters]
Description: Create a new Line-mapping.
Example: $!CREATELINEMAP

98
 $!CREATEMIRRORZONES

$!CREATEMIRRORZONES
Syntax: $!CREATEMIRRORZONES
SOURCEZONES = <set>
[optional parameters]
Description: Create new zones that are mirror images of the source zones
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

SOURCEZONES = <set> Zone(s) to create mirror zone(s) from.
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

MIRRORVAR = <mirrorvar> ’X’ This variable in the new zone is multiplied by -1 after the zone
is copied.
Example: Create a mirror of zones 2-4 across the Y-axis (that is, mirror the X-variable) in 2D frame
mode:
$!CREATEMIRRORZONES
SOURCEZONES = [2-4]
MIRRORVAR =’X’

$!CREATENEWFRAME
Syntax: $!CREATENEWFRAME
[optional parameters]
Description: Creates a new frame.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

HEIGHT = <dexp> 8 Units are in inches.
XYPOS
{
X = <dexp> 1.0 X-position (inches) relative to the left edge of the paper.
Y = <dexp> 0.25 Y-position (inches) relative to the top edge of the paper.
}
WIDTH = <dexp> 9 Units are in inches.

The default position and size of the initial frame created when Tecplot starts up can be changed in
the Tecplot configuration file.
Example: The following example creates a 5- by 5-inch frame with the upper left hand corner of the

99
 frame positioned 2 inches from the left edge of the paper and 1 inch from the top:
$!CREATENEWFRAME
XYPOS
{
X = 2
Y = 1
}
WIDTH = 5
HEIGHT = 5

$!CREATERECTANGULARZONE
Syntax: $!CREATERECTANGULARZONE
[optional parameters]
Description: Create a rectangular zone. If no data set exists when this command is executed, a data set
is created with variables X, Y (and Z, if KMax > 1). If a data set exists prior to this
command, the non-coordinate variables for the zone created are initialized to zero.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

IMax = <integer> 1 I-dimension.
JMax = <integer> 1 J-dimension.
KMax = <integer> 1 K-dimension.
X1 = <dexp> 0 X-minimum.
Y1 = <dexp> 0 Y-minimum.
Z1 = <dexp> 0 Z-minimum.
X2 = <dexp> 1 X-maximum.
Y2 = <dexp> 1 Y-maximum.
Z2 = <dexp> 1 Z-maximum.
XVAR = <integer> Auto Only needed when processing journal instructions.
YVAR = <integer> Auto Only needed when processing journal instructions.
ZVAR = <integer> Auto Only needed when processing journal instructions.
DATATYPE = <datatype> SINGLE

Example: Create a rectangular IJ-ordered zone dimensioned 20 by 30 where X ranges from 0 to 3

and Y from 3 to 9:
$!CREATERECTANGULARZONE
IMax = 20
JMax = 30
X1 = 0
Y1 = 3

100
 $!CREATESIMPLEZONE

X2 = 3
Y2 = 9

$!CREATESIMPLEZONE
Syntax: $!CREATESIMPLEZONE
[optional parameters]
<xyrawdata>
Description: Create a new zone by specifying only a list of XY-pairs of data. If other zones exist prior
to using this function and there are more than 2 variables, then the additional variables are
also created and set to zero.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

<xyrawdata> See Chapter 12 “Raw Data” on page 285 for details.
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default

DATATYPE = <datatype> SINGLE
Example: Create a simple XY-zone that has the XY-pairs (1, 0), (2, 1), (3, 7) and (5 9):
$!CREATESIMPLEZONE
RAWDATA
4
1 0
2 1
3 7
5 9

$!CREATESLICEZONEFROMPLANE
Syntax: $!CREATESLICEZONEFROMPLANE
[optional parameters]
Description: Create a new zone as a slice through existing 3-D volume zones. Use
$!GLOBALTHREED to define the slicing plane orientation.

101
 Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default

FORCEEXTRACTIONTOSINGLEZONE = <boolean> TRUE
SLICESOURCE = <slicesource> VOLUMEZONES
Example: Create a slice zone at X=0:
$!GLOBALTHREED
SLICE
{
ORIGIN {X=0}
NORMAL
{
X=1
Y=0
Z=0
}
}
$!CREATESLICEZONEFROMPLANE
SLICESOURCE=VOLUMEZONES

$!CREATESLICEZONES
Syntax: $!CREATESLICEZONES
[no parameters]
Description: Create a new zone for each slice defined on the Slice Details dialog. Only creates slices
from volume zones.
Example: $!GLOBALCONTOUR VAR = 4
$!SLICEATTRIBUTES ENDPOSITION {X = 1}
$!SLICEATTRIBUTES STARTPOSITION {X = 6}
$!SLICEATTRIBUTES NUMITERMEDIATESLICES = 6
$!SLICEATTRIBUTES SHOWBEGINENDSLICE = YES
$!SLICEATTRIBUTES SHOWINTERMEDIATESLICES = YES
$!REDRAW
$!CREATESLICEZONES

$!CREATESTREAMZONES
Syntax: $!CREATESTREAMZONES
[optional parameters]

102
 $!DATASETUP

Description: Create one or more zones out of the currently defined streamtraces. The new zones have
the same number of variables per data point as the other zones in the data set with all non-
coordinate variables interpolated at the positions along the streamtrace.
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CONCATENATE = <boolean> FALSE Set to TRUE to create a single zone out of all common
streamtraces. The cell that connects the end of one streamtrace
with the beginning of the next can later be turned off using value-
blanking.
Example: Create a single zone out of all common streamzones:
$!CREATESTREAMZONES
CONCATENATE = TRUE

$!DATASETUP
Syntax: $!DATASETUP
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that sets miscellaneous parameters related to data.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

COMMANDLINE :
{ This option allows you to auto-strand data files
AutoStrandDataFiles = <boolean> True in Tecplot360. This can be set to FALSE or
} commented-out of the configuration file
(tecplot.cfg) to retain the Tecplot 10
compatibility
SCRATCHDATAFIELDTYPE = <datatype> Set the data type for scratch arrays used for
geometries line segments and other lines. The
default is SINGLE for Windows and DOUBLE
for UNIX. This parameter can only be used in
the Tecplot configuration file.
PREPLOTARGS = <string> Arguments used to run the internal Preplot
utility. The internal version of Preplot is used to
convert ASCII datafiles when they are read
directly into Tecplot. See the Tecplot User’s
Manual for more information on Preplot and its
options.
Example: Change the arguments used to Preplot ASCII files so only zones 1, 2 and 3 are processed:
$!DATASETUP
PREPLOTARGS = "-zonelist 1:3"

103
 $!DEFAULTGEOM
Syntax: $!DEFAULTGEOM
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that sets the attributes for the default geometry. When a geometry
is created interactively, its color, line thickness, and so forth, are preset based on the
default geometry. This command is usually used only in the Tecplot configuration file.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

ANCHORPOS <<xyz>>
ARROWHEADANGLE <op> <dexp>
ARROWHEADATTACHMENT <arrowheadattachment>
ARROWHEADSIZE <op> <dexp>
ARROWHEADSTYLE <arrowheadstyle>
ATTACHTOZONE = <boolean>
COLOR = <color>
DATATYPE = <fielddatatype>
DRAWORDER = <draworder> AFTERDATA
DRAWORDER = <draworder> AFTERDATA
FILLCOLOR = <color>
ISFILLED = <boolean>
LINEPATTERN = <linepattern>
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
MACROFUNCTIONCOMMAND = <string> Set the macro command to execute
when you hover over the geometry
and press Ctrl-right-click.
MAINTAINASPECTRATIO = <boolean> TRUE
NUMELLIPSEPTS <op> <integer>
PATTERNLENGTH <op> <dexp>
PIXELASPECTRATIO = <double> 0 A value of 0 allows Tecplot to
select the aspect ratio.Use only if
your circles or squares due to the
aspect ratio of your monitor.
POSITIONCOORDSYS = <coordsys>
SCOPE = <scope>
ZONE = <integer>
Example: Make the default geometry line thickness 0.2 percent:
$!DEFAULTGEOM
LINETHICKNESS = 0.2

$!DEFAULTTEXT
Syntax: $!DEFAULTTEXT
[optional parameters]

104
 $!DELAY

Description: A SetValue command that sets the attributes for the default text. When text is added to a
plot interactively, its font, color, size, and so forth, are based on the default text. This
command is usually used only in the Tecplot configuration file.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ANCHOR = <textanchor>
ANCHORPOS <<xy>>
ANGLE <op> <dexp>
ATTACHTOZONE = <boolean>
BOX <<textbox>>
CLIPPING = <clipping>
COLOR = <color>
LINESPACING <op> <dexp>
MACROFUNCTIONCOMMAND = <string> Set the macro command to execute when you hover over the
geometry and press Ctrl-right-click.
POSITIONCOORDSYS = <coordsys>
SCOPE = <scope>
TEXTSHAPE <<textshape>>
ZONE <op> <integer>
Example: Make the default text font TIMESBOLD with a character height of 14 points:
$!DEFAULTTEXT
TEXTSHAPE
{
FONT = TIMESBOLD
SIZEUNITS = POINT
HEIGHT = 14
}

$!DELAY
Syntax: $!DELAY <integer>
[no parameters]
Description: Delay Tecplot execution for <integer> seconds.
Example: Pause Tecplot for 3 seconds:
$!DELAY 3

$!DELETEAUXDATA
Syntax: $!DELETEAUXDATA

105
 AUXDATALOCATION = [zone/var/dataset/frame/linemap]
[optional parameters]
Description: Delete Auxiliary Data in the form of name/value pairs from zones, frames or datasets.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

AUXDATALOCATION = [zone/var/dataset/
frame/linemap]

Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

NAME = <string>
NUM = <integer>
VAR = <integer>
ZONE = <integer> Only required if AUXDATALOCATION = zone

Example: Delete the selected Auxiliary Data from Zone 2.:

$!DELETEAUXDATA
AUXDATALOCATION = zone
ZONE = 2
NAME = VARIABLE DATA

$!DELETELINEMAPS
Syntax: $!DELETEMAPS <set>
[no parameters]
Description: Delete one or more Line-mappings. If <set> is omitted then all Line-mappings are
deleted.
Example: Delete Line-mappings 2, 3, 4 and 8:
$!DELETELINEMAPS [2-4,8]

$!DELETEVARS
Syntax: $!DELETEVARS <set>
[no parameters]
Description: Delete one or more variables.

106
 $!DELETEZONES

Example: Delete variables 4 and 10:

$!DELETEVARS [4,10]

$!DELETEZONES
Syntax: $!DELETEZONES <set>
[no parameters]
Description: Delete one or more zones.
Example: Delete zones 3, 7, 8, 9 and 11:
$!DELETEZONES [3,7-9,11]

$!DOUBLEBUFFER [Required-Control Option]

Description: The different commands in the DOUBLEBUFFER compound function family are
described separately in the following sections.
The DOUBLEBUFFER compound functions are:
$!DOUBLEBUFFER OFF
$!DOUBLEBUFFER ON
$!DOUBLEBUFFER SWAP

$!DOUBLEBUFFER OFF
Syntax: $!DOUBLEBUFFER OFF
[no parameters]
Description: Turn off double buffering; use this command once at the end of a sequence of using the
double buffer.
Example: See $!DOUBLEBUFFER SWAP

$!DOUBLEBUFFER ON
Syntax: $!DOUBLEBUFFER ON
[no parameters]
Description: Turn on double buffering; use this command once at the beginning of a sequence of using
the double buffer. While double buffering is turned on all drawing is sent to the back

107
 buffer.
Example: See $!DOUBLEBUFFER SWAP

$!DOUBLEBUFFER SWAP
Syntax: $!DOUBLEBUFFER SWAP
[no parameters]
Description: Swap the back buffer to the front. In other words, copy the image in the back buffer to the
front.
Example: The following example uses the double buffer to show the rotation of a 3-D object:
$!DOUBLEBUFFER ON
$!LOOP 10
$!ROTATE3DVIEW X
ANGLE = 5
$!REDRAW
$!DOUBLEBUFFER SWAP
$!ENDLOOP
$!DOUBLEBUFFER OFF

$!DRAWGRAPHICS
Syntax: $!DRAWGRAPHICS <boolean>
[no parameters]
Description: Turn on or off all graphics drawing. Turning off all graphics during preliminary portions
of a macro file can greatly increase the efficiency of the macro.
Example: Turn off all graphics drawing:

$!DRAWGRAPHICS NO

$!DROPDIALOG
Syntax: $!DROPDIALOG <dialogname>
[no parameters]
Description: Drop a Tecplot interface dialog. This command is mainly useful for the Tecplot demo. To
launch a dialog use $!LAUNCHDIALOG.

108
 $!DUPLICATELINEMAP

Example: $!DROPDIALOG MACROVIEWER

$!DUPLICATELINEMAP
Syntax: $!DUPLICATELINEMAP
SOURCEMAP = <integer>
DESTINATIONMAP = <integer>
Description: Copy attributes from an existing Line-mapping to another.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

DESTINATIONMAP = <integer> The destination can either be the number of an existing map or 1
greater than the current number of maps. If you choose the latter, a
new Line-mapping will be created.
SOURCEMAP = <integer> Line-mapping from which to copy.
Example: Copy attributes of Line-mapping 3 to Line-mapping 7:

$!DUPLICATELINEMAP
SOURCEMAP = 3
DESTINATIONMAP = 7

$!DUPLICATEZONE
Syntax: $!DUPLICATEZONE
SOURCEZONE = <integer>
[optional parameters]
Description: Make a copy of an existing zone. You can assign index ranges to create a new zone which
is a subset of the source zone.
Required Parameter:

Parameters Syntax Notes

SOURCEZONE = <integer> Zone to duplicate (the source zone).

109
 Optional Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

IRANGE See notes on index ranges for $!ALTERDATA
{ action command.
MIN = <integer> 1
MAX = <integer> 0
SKIP = <integer> 1
}
JRANGE See notes on index ranges for $!ALTERDATA
{ action command.
MIN = <integer> 1
MAX = <integer> 0
SKIP = <integer> 1
}
KRANGE See notes on index ranges for $!ALTERDATA
{ action command.
MIN = <integer> 1
MAX = <integer> 0
SKIP = <integer> 1
}
Examples:

Example 1: Make a complete copy of zone 2:

$!DUPLICATEZONE
SOURCEZONE = 2

Example 2: Duplicate zone 3 creating a zone which uses only the I-index range from 2 to 7 from the
source zone:
$!DUPLICATEZONE
SOURCEZONE = 3
IRANGE
{
MIN = 2
MAX = 7
}

$!ELSE
Syntax: $!ELSE
[no parameters]
Description: Conditionally handle macro commands. Used when an $!IF statement is FALSE.

110
 $!ELSEIF

Example: $!VARSET |C| = 2

$!IF |C| == 5
$!CREATENEWFRAME
XYPOS
{
X = 2.5
Y = 1.5
}
WIDTH = 4
HEIGHT = 4
$!ELSE
$!CREATENEWFRAME
XYPOS
{
X = 3
Y = 2
}
WIDTH = 3
HEIGHT = 3
$!ENDIF

$!ELSEIF
Syntax: $!ELSEIF <conditionalexp>
Description: Conditionally handle macro commands. Used to create multiple options for statements
should an $!IF statement be FALSE.
Example: $!VARSET |A| = 2
$!IF |A| < 5
$!CREATENEWFRAME
XYPOS
{
X = 1
Y = 1
}
WIDTH = 3
HEIGHT = 3
$!ELSEIF |A| > 5
$!CREATENEWFRAME
XYPOS

111
 {
X = 2
Y = 1
}
WIDTH = 5
HEIGHT = 5
$!ELSE
$!CREATENEWFRAME
XYPOS
{
X = 3
Y = 3
}
WIDTH = 9
HEIGHT = 9
$!ENDIF

$!EXPORT
Syntax: $!EXPORT
[no parameters]
Description: Export an image file from Tecplot. See the $!EXPORTSETUP command for details on
setting up the exported image type. The $!EXPORT command is not valid for animation
formats. (AVI and Raster Metafile.)
Example: $!EXPORTSETUP EXPORTFORMAT = PNG
$!EXPORT

$!EXPORTCANCEL
Syntax: $!EXPORTCANCEL
[no parameters]
Description: Cancel out of the current export animation sequence. The animation file being generated
is removed.
Example: $!EXPORTCANCEL

112
 $!EXPORTFINISH

$!EXPORTFINISH
Syntax: $!EXPORTFINISH
[no parameters]
Description: Signals the completion of an animation sequence and causes the animation file to be
created. You must call $!EXPORTSTART prior to using $!EXPORTFINISH. This
command is only valid for animation formats. (AVI and Raster Metafile.) You may use
the |EXPORTISRECORDING| intrinsic variable to make sure that an animation
sequence has been initiated.
Example: $!EXPORTSETUP
EXPORTFNAME="rotate.avi"
EXPORTFORMAT=AVI
$!EXPORTSTART
$!LOOP 5
$!ROTATE3DVIEW X
ANGLE=5
$!EXPORTNEXTFRAME
$!ENDLOOP
$!IF "|EXPORTISRECORDING|" =="YES"
$!EXPORTFINISH
$!ENDIF

$!EXPORTNEXTFRAME
Syntax: $!EXPORTNEXTFRAME
[no parameters]
Description: Records the next frame of an animation. You must call $!EXPORTSTART prior to
calling $!EXPORTNEXTFRAME. This command is only valid for animation formats.
(AVI and Raster Metafile. You may use the |EXPORTISRECORDING| intrinsic
variable to make sure that an animation sequence has been initiated.)
Example: $!EXPORTSETUP
EXPORTFNAME="rotate.avi"
EXPORTFORMAT=AVI
$!EXPORTSTART
$!LOOP 5
$!ROTATE3DVIEW X
ANGLE=5
$!EXPORTNEXTFRAME
$!ENDLOOP

113
 $!EXPORTFINISH

$!EXPORTSETUP
Syntax: $!EXPORTSETUP
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that sets the attributes for exporting image files from Tecplot.
Exporting is usually intended as a means to transfer images from Tecplot to be imported
by other applications. See $!PRINTSETUP and $!PRINT for generating output
intended for printers and plotters.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

ANIMATIONSPEED = <double> Applies to AVI only. Sets the
animation speed in frames
per second.
CONVERTTO256COLORS = <boolean> Used for TIFF, BMP, and
PNG formats.
EXPORTFNAME = <string>
EXPORTFORMAT = <exportformat>
EXPORTREGION = <bitdumpregion>
FLAHSHCOMPRESSIONITYPE = <compressiontype>
FLASHIMAGETYPE = <imagetype>
IMAGEWIDTH <op> <integer>
JPEGENCODING = STANDARD or
PROGRESSIVE
PRINTRENDERTYPE = <printrendertype> VECTOR
QUALITY = <integer> Range is from 1-100
SUNRASTERFORMAT = <sunrasterformat> Only applies if
EXPORTFORMAT is
SUNRASTER.
SUPERSAMPLEFACTOR = <integer> 3 This is the factor used in
antialiasing while reducing
the size of an exported image.
A larger size can improve the
quality of the image, but
slows performance.
TIFFBYTEORDER = <tiffbyteorder>
USEMULTIPLECOLORTABLES = <boolean> Applies to AVI and Raster
Metafile only.
USESUPERSAMPLEANTIALIASING = <boolean> FALSE
Example: Set up Tecplot to export a Raster Metafile image to the file movie.rm:
$!EXPORTSETUP
EXPORTFNAME = "movie.rm"
EXPORTFORMAT = RASTERMETAFILE

114
 $!EXPORTSTART

$!EXPORTSTART
Syntax: $!EXPORTSTART
[no parameters]
Description: Signals the start of an animation sequence and records the first frame of the animation.
This command is only valid for animation formats. (AVI and Raster Metafile.)
Example: $!EXPORTSETUP
EXPORTFNAME="rotate.avi"
EXPORTFORMAT=AVI
EXPORTREGION = CURRENTFRAME
$!EXPORTSTART
$!LOOP 5
$!ROTATE3DVIEW X
ANGLE=5
$!EXPORTNEXTFRAME
$!ENDLOOP
$!EXPORTFINISH

$!EXTRACTFROMGEOM
Syntax: $!EXTRACTFROMGEOM
[optional parameters]
Description: Extract data from a 2- or 3-D field plot. The locations at which to extract the data come
from a polyline geometry that must be picked prior to issuing this command.
Optional Parameters

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

EXTRACTLINEPOINTSONLY = <boolean> FALSE If FALSE, must include NUMPTS.
EXTRACTTOFILE = <boolean> FALSE If FALSE, a zone is created. If TRUE, must
include FNAME.
FNAME = <string> File name for extracted file. Required if
EXTRACTTOFILE is TRUE.
INCLUDEDISTANCEVAR = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, then Tecplot includes an extra variable in
the result which is the distance along the line of
points extracted and EXTRACTTOFILE must also
be TRUE.
NUMPTS = <integer> Required if EXTRACTLINEPOINTSONLY is
FALSE.
Example: Extract 20 points from along the currently picked geometry. Send the result to a file
called extract.dat:
$!EXTRACTFROMGEOM

115
 NUMPTS = 20
EXTRACTTOFILE = TRUE
FNAME = "extract.dat"

$!EXTRACTFROMPOLYLINE
Syntax: $!EXTRACTFROMPOLYLINE
[optional parameters]
<xyzrawdata>
Description: Extract data from a 2- or 3-D field plot. The locations of where to extract the data from
come from a supplied polyline in the form of <xyzrawdata>.
Optional Parameters

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

EXTRACTLINEPOINTSONLY = <boolean> FALSE If FALSE, must include NUMPTS.
EXTRACTTHROUGHVOLUME = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, data is extracted from XYZ-coordinates
in the polyline. If FALSE, data is extracted from
the surface.
EXTRACTTOFILE = <boolean> FALSE If FALSE, a zone is created. If TRUE, you must
include FNAME.
FNAME = <string> File name for extracted file. Required if
EXTRACTTOFILE is TRUE.
INCLUDEDISTANCEVAR = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, Tecplot includes an extra variable in the
result which is the distance along the line of points
extracted and EXTRACTOFILE must also be
TRUE.
NUMPTS = <integer> Required if EXTRACTLINEPOINTSONLY is
FALSE.
Example: Extract 10 points from specific locations in a field plot. Create a zone with the extracted
data:
$!EXTRACTFROMPOLYLINE
EXTRACTLINEPOINTSONLY = TRUE
RAWDATA
10
0 0 0
1 2 0
2 4 0
3 2 0
3 4 0
4 4 0
4 5 0
4 6 0
5 7 0

116
 $!FIELDLAYERS

6 9 0

$!FIELDLAYERS
Syntax: $!FIELDLAYERS
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that turns field plot layers on or off, or sets the 2-D draw order.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

SHOWCONTOUR = <boolean>
SHOWEDGE = <boolean>
SHOWISOSURFACES = <boolean>
SHOWMESH = <boolean>
SHOWSCATTER = <boolean>
SHOWSHADE = <boolean>
SHOWSLICES = <boolean>
SHOWVECTOR = <boolean> Vector variables must be defined. See
$!GLOBALTWODVECTOR or
$!GLOBALTHREEDVECTOR.
TWODDRAWORDER = <twoddraworder>
USELIGHTINGEFFECT = <boolean>
USETRANSLUCENCY = <boolean>
Example: Turn on the scatter layer:
$!FIELDLAYERS
SHOWSCATTER = YESP

$!FIELDMAP
Syntax: $!FIELDMAP [<set>]
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that assigns zone attributes for field plots. The <set> parameter
immediately following the $!FIELDMAP command is optional. If <set> is omitted then
the assignment is applied to all zones. Otherwise the assignment is applied only to the
zones specified in <set>.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

CONTOUR
{

117
 Parameter Syntax Notes
COLOR = <color>
CONTOURTYPE = <meshtype>
FLOODCOLORING = <contourcoloring>
LINECONTOURGROUP = <integer>
LINEPATTERN = <linepattern>
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
PATTERNLENGTH <op> <dexp>
SHOW = <boolean>
USELIGHTINGEFFECT = <boolean>
}
EDGELAYER
{
COLOR = <color>
EDGETYPE = <edgetype>
IEDGE = <borderlocation> Applies for IJ-, IK-, and IJK-ordered zones.
JEDGE = <borderlocation> Applies for IJ-, IK-, and IJK-ordered zones.
KEDGE = <borderlocation> Applies for IJ-, IK-, and IJK-ordered zones.
LINETHICKNESS = <dexp>
SHOW = <boolean>
USEBLANKING = <boolean>
}
EFFECTS
{
LIGHTINGEFFECT = <lightingeffect>
SURFACETRANSLUCENCY <translucency> SURFACETRANSLUCENCY range is one to
99.
USETRANSLUCENCY = <boolean>
USEVALUEBLANKING = <boolean> Set to TRUE to include value blanking in the
specified zones
}
MESH
{
COLOR = <color>
LINEPATTERN = <linepattern>
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
MESHTYPE = <meshtype>
PATTERNLENGTH <op> <dexp>
SHOW = <boolean>
}
POINTS
{
IJKSKIP <<ijk>> Limits the number of vectors or scatter symbols
drawn.
POINTSTOPLOT <pointstoplot>
}
SCATTER
{
COLOR = <color>
FILLCOLOR = <color>

118
 $!FIELDMAP

Parameter Syntax Notes

FILLMODE = <fillmode>
FRAMESIZE <op> <dexp> Size of symbols when SIZEBYVARIABLE is
FALSE.
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
SHOW = <boolean>
SIZEBYVARIABLE = <boolean> Scatter sizing variable must be defined before
this can be set to TRUE. See the
$!GLOBALSCATTER command.
SYMBOLSHAPE <<symbolshape>>
}
SHADE
{
COLOR = <color>
SHOW = <boolean>
USELIGHTINGEFFECT = <boolean>
}
SURFACES
{
IRANGE <<indexrange>>
JRANGE <<indexrange>>
KRANGE <<indexrange>>
SURFACESTOPLOT = <surfacestoplot>
}
VECTOR
{
ARROWHEADSTYLE <arrowheadstyle>
COLOR = <color>
ISTANGENT = <boolean>
LINEPATTERN = <linepattern>
LINETHICKNESS = <dexp>
PATTERNLENGTH = <dexp>
SHOW = <boolean>
VECTORTYPE = <vectortype>
}
VOLUMEMODE VOLUMEMODE applies to volume zones, with
{ the exception that POINTSTOPLOT also applies
to finite-element surface zones.
VOLUMEOBJECTSTOPLOT <<volumeobjectstoplot>>
}
ZONEGROUP = <integer> Assign a group number to the supplied set of
zones.

Examples: Example 1:Change the contour plot type to flood for zones 1-12:
$!FIELDMAP [1-12]
CONTOUR
{
CONTOURTYPE = FLOOD
}

119
 Example 2: Change the mesh color to red for all zones:
$!FIELDMAP
MESH
{
COLOR = RED
}

$!FILECONFIG
Syntax: $!FILECONFIG
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that sets file path information in Tecplot.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

ADDZONESTOEXISTINGSTRANDS = <boolean> False If TRUE, Tecplot will add the
zones from the appended data to
any existing strands in the dataset.
If FALSE, Tecplot will append the
strands from the new data to any
existing strands in the dataset.
ASSIGNSTRANDID = <boolean> True If TRUE, Tecplot will assign
strand ID's to zones (if time is
supplied for the zones but not
strand ID's). If FALSE, Tecplot
will not associate these zones with
any strands.
DATAFILEVARLOADMODE = <varloadmode> BYNAME Set the default loading mode for
variables. To get Tecplot Version
7.0 behavior, use BYPOSITION.
DOAUTOFNAMEEXTENSION = <boolean>
DOAUTOFNAMEEXTENSIONWARNING = <boolean> If TRUE a warning is displayed
when attempting to save with an
extension other than the default
extension.
FNAMEFILTER
{
COLORMAPFILE = <string> Default extension for color map
files.
EQUATIONFILE = <string> Default extension for equation
files.
IMPORTIMAGEFILE = <string> Default extension for image files.
INPUTDATAFILE = <string> Default extension for Tecplot
input data files.
INPUTLAYOUTFILE = <string> Default extension for loading
layout files.
MACROFILE = <string> Default extension for macro files.

120
 $!FILECONFIG

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

OUTPUTASCIIDATAFILE = <string> Default extension for ASCII
output data files.
OUTPUTBINARYDATAFILE = <string> Default extension for binary
output data files.
OUTPUTLAYOUTFILE = <string> Default extension for saving
linked layout files.
OUTPUTLAYOUTPACKAGEFILE = <string> Default extension for saving
layout package files.
STYLEFILE = <string> Default extension for style files.
}
LAYOUTCONFIG
{
INCLUDEDATA = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, layout packages are the
default format for layouts
INCLUDEPREVIEW = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, preview images are
saved with layout packages.
USERELATIVEPATHS = <boolean> TRUE If TRUE, files will be referenced
using relative paths in layout files.
}
LOADONDEMAND
{
ALLOW = <boolean> If TRUE, Tecplot will use it's
load-on-demand features for
loading and unloading variables.
DATASTORESTATEGY = <dataloadstrategy> AUTO Set the data store strategy for
load-on-demand. If set to AUTO,
Tecplot will use store large
allocations in the temporary
directory and use memory
mapped I/O to read and write to
the regions when possible
otherwise it will use the memory
heap (usually this provides better
performance for large data). If set
to HEAP Tecplot will not use the
temporary directory for large
allocations (this option is usually
slower when working with large
data).

121
 Parameter Syntax Default Notes
UNLOADSTRATEGY = <unloadstrategy> AUTO Set the unload strategy for load-
on-demand. If set to AUTO
Tecplot will unload unused
variables when the amount needed
RAM begins to reach the
maximum amount of RAM. If set
to NEVERUNLOAD Tecplot
will load variables on demand but
will never attempt to unload them
even if it is running low on
memory. If set to
MINIMIZEMEMORYUSE
Tecplot will aggressively unload
variables as soon as they are not
needed regardless of the amount
of memory available or in use.
}
MEMORYMAPPEDIOTHRESHOLD = <integer> Minimum size (in bytes) of data
before Tecplot will consider using
memory mapped I/O. If the value
is zero Tecplot will let the
operating system decide which is
usually the best choice.
TEMPFILEPATH = <string> Set the directory where you want
Tecplot to store its temporary
files.
USEMEMORYMAPPEDIO = <boolean> TRUE If TRUE, Tecplot will use the
operating system's memory
mapped I/O facility to read data
faster whenever possible
File Name Filters:Valid characters are upper or lowercase A-Z, and 0-9. Each filter should be
preceded by (*.). or it will not filter properly. On Windows, to allow more than one extension, sep-
arate them with a semicolon (;). On UNIX multiple extensions will not filter correctly unless they
follow the standard UNIX shell filter format.

Windows Example:This example filters all four extensions when opening a layout file.

$!FILECONFIG FNAMEFILTER {INPUTLAYOUTFILE =

"*.wsf;*.dwr;*.lay;*.lpk"}
Windows Example:This example filters both extensions when writing a layout file. The default
extension is .wsf because it is the first extension presented in the list.

$!FILECONFIG FNAMEFILTER {OUPUTLAYOUTFILE = "

.wsf;*.lay"}
Motif Example:This example filters .aek, .plt, and more.

$!FILECONFIG FNAMEFILTER {INPUTDATAFILE = "

122
 $!FONTADJUST

*.[ae][el][kt]"}
Motif Example:This example filters .dat, .cam, and more. The default extension is .dat
because D and T are the first letters presented within the brackets.

$!FILECONFIG FNAMEFILTER {OUTPUTASCIIDATAFILE =

"*.[dc]a[tm]"}
Example: Set the directory where Tecplot stores temporary files to be /usr/tmp:

$!FILECONFIG
DATAFILEVARLOADMODE = BYPOSITION
TEMPFILEPATH = "/usr/tmp"
LAYOUTCONFIG {USERELATIVEPATHS = TRUE}
FNAMEFILTER
{
INPUTDATAFILE = "*.[pd][la]t"
COLORMAPFILE = "*.clr"
}

$!FONTADJUST
Syntax: $!FONTADJUST
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that sets character spacing and sizing for fonts in Tecplot. These
parameters are rarely changed.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

BOLDFACTOR <op> <double> Thickness of bold characters relative to normal.
INTERCHARSPACING <op> <integer> Increase or decrease inter-character spacing. Units are in
pixels on the screen.
STROKEFONTLINETHICKNESS <op> <double> Thickness (in frame units) of lines used to draw stroke
fonts.
SUBSUPFRACTION <op> <double> Size of subscript and superscript characters relative to the
font height.
Example: Make superscript and subscript characters 1/3 the font height:
$!FONTADJUST
SUBSUPFRACTION = 0.333

123
 $!FRAMECONTROL [Required-Control Option]
Description: The different commands in the FRAMECONTROL compound function family are
described separately in the following sections.
The FRAMECONTROL compound functions are:
$!FRAMECONTROL DELETETOP
$!FRAMECONTROL FITALLTOPAPER
$!FRAMECONTROL POP
$!FRAMECONTROL POPATPOSITION
$!FRAMECONTROL PUSHTOP
$!FRAMECONTROL POPBYNAME
$!FRAMECONTROL PUSHBYNAME

$!FRAMECONTROL DELETETOP
Syntax: $!FRAMECONTROL DELETETOP
[no parameters]
Description: Delete the top (active) frame. If there is only one frame when this is called, a new empty
frame is automatically created after this command is executed. (Thus, you can never have
a workspace without at least one frame.)
Example: $!FRAMECONTROL DELETETOP

$!FRAMECONTROL FITALLTOPAPER
Syntax: $!FRAMECONTROL FITALLTOPAPER
[no parameters]
Description: Resize all frames so that they fit inside the hardclip limits of the paper.
Example: $!FRAMECONTROL FITALLTOPAPER

$!FRAMECONTROL POP
Syntax: $!FRAMECONTROL POP
[optional parameters]
Description: Pop a frame to the top (make it the active frame).

124
 $!FRAMECONTROL POPATPOSITION

Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

FRAME = <integer> 1 Frame to be popped. Frames are numbered 1 to numframes
with frame 1 drawn first when a Redraw All is executed and
the highest numbered frame drawn last.
Example: Pop frame number 2:
$!FRAMECONTROL POP
FRAME = 2

$!FRAMECONTROL POPATPOSITION
Syntax: $!FRAMECONTROL POPATPOSITION
X = <dexp>
Y = <dexp>
Description: Pop the top most frame at a specified position on the paper.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

X = <dexp> X is in inches from the left edge of the paper.
Y = <dexp> Y is in inches from the top edge of the paper.
Example: Pop the frame beneath the location 2 inches from the top edge of the paper and 3 inches
from the left edge of the paper:
$!FRAMECONTROL POPATPOSITION
X = 3
Y = 2

$!FRAMECONTROL POPBYNAME
Syntax: $!FRAMECONTROL POPBYNAME
NAME = <string>
Description: Pop the specified frame to the top of the view stack.
Example: $!FRAMECONTROL POPBYNAME
NAME = "BANANA"

125
 $!FRAMECONTROL PUSH
Syntax: $!FRAMECONTROL PUSH
[optional parameters]
Description: Push a frame to the bottom of the frame stack (it is given the frame number 1 and
therefore drawn first).
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

FRAME = <integer> numframes Frame to be pushed. Frames are numbered 1 to
numframes with frame 1 drawn first and the highest
numbered frame drawn last when a Redraw All is
executed.

$!FRAMECONTROL PUSHBYNAME
Syntax: $!FRAMECONTROL PUSHBYNAME
NAME = <string>
Description: Push the specified frame to the bottom of the view stack.
Example: $!FRAMECONTROL PUSHBYNAME
NAME = "BANANA"

$!FRAMECONTROL PUSHTOP
Syntax: $!FRAMECONTROL PUSHTOP
[no parameters]
Description: Push the top (active) frame to the bottom.
Example: $!FRAMECONTROL PUSHTOP

$!FRAMELAYOUT
Syntax: $!FRAMELAYOUT
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that sets the position, border, and background attributes for the
current frame. Use the $!FRAMECONTROL action command to push and pop frames if
you want to change the settings for a frame other than the current frame.

126
 $!FRAMENAME

Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

BACKGROUNDCOLOR = <color> Only applies if ISTRANSPARENT = FALSE.
BORDERTHICKNESS <op> <dexp> Value is in Y-frame units.
HEADERCOLOR = <color> Only applies if SHOWHEADER = TRUE.
HEADERFONT = <font>
HEIGHT <op> <dexp> Value is in inches.
ISTRANSPARENT = <boolean>
SHOWBORDER = <boolean>
SHOWHEADER = <boolean>
WIDTH <op> <dexp> Value is in inches.
XYPOS <<xy>> Position of upper left corner of the frame in inches from left and
top edge of the paper.
Example: Place the current frame in the upper left corner of the paper (offset 0.5 inches from the
top and left edges), make the frame dimensions 3 by 4 inches, and turn off the frame
border:
$!FRAMELAYOUT
SHOWBORDER = NO
XYPOS
{
X = 0.5
Y = 0.5
}
WIDTH = 3
HEIGHT = 4

$!FRAMENAME
Syntax: $!FRAMENAME = <string>
[no parameters]
Description: Set the name for the current frame.
Example: $!FRAMENAME = "Pressure Contours for well 33"

$!FRAMESETUP
Syntax: $!FRAMESETUP
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that sets parameters used to preset dynamic frame attributes when
a frame is initialized.

127
 Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ALIGNINGCONTOURLABELS = <boolean> If TRUE, the next interactively placed contour label is
aligned to the contour line.
FITINITIALFRAMETOWORKSPACE <boolean> If set to FALSE, the new layout is shown as in V10
with the entire paper fit to the work area. If set to
TRUE, the new layout is shown with the current
frame fit to the work area.
This command changes the behavior of Tecplot as it
first appears during a session and as it appears after a
new layout command. It has no effect on the current
plot, but it can be used in a macro to set the value for
future new plots. It is typically found in the tecplot.cfg
file.
INITIAL3DSCALE <op> <dexp> Initial scale for 3-D plots.
NUMSTREAMRAKEPOINTS <op> <integer> Number of points to place along streamtrace rakes.
RODRIBBONDEFLEN <op> <dexp> Default width (in frame units) of a streamtrace or
ribbon
VECTDEFLEN <op> <dexp> When a vector plot is drawn for the first time the
vector magnitude is adjusted so the longest vector is
VECTDEFLEN units long. VECDEFLEN is in frame
units.
VECTMINLEN <op> <dexp> Minimum length in centimeters. Vectors shorter than
this length are not drawn.
Example: Make the default length for the longest vector five percent:
$!FRAMESETUP
VECTDEFLEN = 5

$!GETAUXDATA
Syntax: $!GETAUXDATA <macrovar>
AUXDATALOCATION = [zone/var/dataset/frame/linemap]
NAME = <string>
[optional parameters]
Description: Retrieve Auxiliary Data in the form of name/value pairs and save it to the macrovariable.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

AUXDATALOCATION = [zone/var/dataset/
frame/linemap]
NAME = <string> Name of existing auxiliary data

128
 $!GETCONNECTIVITYREFCOUNT

Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

MAP = <integer> Only required if AUXDATALOCATION = linemap
VAR = <integer> Only required if AUXDATALOCATION = var
ZONE = <integer> Only required if AUXDATALOCATION = zone

Example: Get the Auxiliary Data from Zone 2, and store it in the macro variable |ABC|:
$!GETAUXDATA |ABC|
AUXDATALOCATION = zone
NAME = ’ABC.Aux.Data’
ZONE = 2

$!GETCONNECTIVITYREFCOUNT
Syntax: $!GETCONNECTIVITYREFCOUNT <macrovar>
ZONE = <integer>
[no optional parameters]
Description: Fetch the count of how many zones share connectivity with the specified zone. Count
includes specified zone.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ZONE = <integer>

Example: Fetch the connectivity count from Zone 2, and store it in the macro variable |ABC|. If
zones 2, 5 and 6 share connectivity, |ABC| = 3.:
$!GETCONNECTIVITYREFCOUNT |ABC|
ZONE = 2

$!GETCURFRAMENAME
Syntax: $!GETCURFRAMENAME <macrovar>
[no parameters]
Description: Query Tecplot for the name of the current frame. The <macrovar> represents
the macro variable to receive the results.
Example: Put the name of the current frame into the macro variable |CFRAME|.

129
 $!GETCURFRAMENAME |CFRAME|

$!GETFIELDVALUE
Syntax: $!GETFIELDVALUE <macrovar>
ZONE = <integer>
VAR = <integer>
INDEX = <integer>
Description: Fetch the field value (data set value) at the specified point index and assign the value to
<macrovar>. If the zone referenced is IJ- or IJK-ordered, then the point index is
calculated by treating the 2- or 3-dimensional array as a 1-D array.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

INDEX = <integer>
VAR = <integer>
ZONE = <integer>

Example: A data set contains 2 zones and 3 variables. Zone 2 is dimensioned 5 by 3. Fetch the
value from variable 3 at I-, J-location 2, 2, and store it in the macro variable |ABC|:
$!GETFIELDVALUE |ABC|
ZONE = 2
VAR = 3
INDEX = 7
Note: INDEX was calculated using:
INDEX = I + (J-1)*|MAXI| + (K-1) * |MAXI| * |MAXJ|
= 5*(2-1)+2
= 7

$!GETFIELDVALUEREFCOUNT
Syntax: $!GETFIELDVALUEREFCOUNT <macrovar>
ZONE = <integer>
VAR = <integer>
[no optional parameters]
Description: Get the count of how zones many share the indicated variable with the specified zone.
Count includes the specified zone.

130
 $!GETNODEINDEX

Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

VAR = <integer>
ZONE = <integer>

Example: A data set contains 5 zones and 3 variables. Zones 1, 2 and 4 share variable 3, and zones
3 and 5 share variable three.
$!GETFIELDVALUEREFCOUNT |ABC|
ZONE = 2
VAR = 3
This returns |ABC| = 3, while
$!GETFIELDVALUEREFCOUNT |DEF|
ZONE = 5
VAR = 3
returns |DEF| = 2 because the variable is not shared across all five zones.

$!GETNODEINDEX
Syntax: $!GETNODEINDEX = <macrovar>
ZONE = <integer>
ELEMENT = <integer>
CORNER = <integer>
[no optional parameters]
Description: This function only works for finite-element zones. Query for the node index in the
specified location as described by the ZONE, ELEMENT, and CORNER parameters.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ZONE = <integer> Zone must be greater than or equal to one.
CORNER = <integer> Possible values are 1-3, 1-4, or 1-8, depending upon the element type.
ELEMENT = <integer> Must be greater than or equal to one and less than or equal to |MAXJ|.
Example: Get the index for the node at corner 3 of the last element in zone number 1.
$!GETZONETYPE |ZONETYPE|
ZONE = 1
$!IF "|ZONETYPE|" = "ORDERED"
$!GETNODEINDEX |INDEX|
ZONE = 1
ELEMENT = |MAXJ|

131
 CORNER = 3
... Do something with |INDEX|...
$!ENDIF

$!GETVARLOCATION
Syntax: $!GETVARLOCATION <macrovar>
ZONE = <integer>
VAR = <integer>
Description: Returns the location of the variable in the zone as either CELLCENTERED or NODAL
and saves in the macro variable.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

VAR = <integer>
ZONE = <integer>
Example: Get the variable location for the variable three in zone 1.
$!GETVARNLOCATION |ABC|
ZONE = 3
VAR = 1

$!GETVARNUMBYNAME
Syntax: $!GETVARNUMBYNAME <macrovar>
NAME = <string>
Description: Given a variable name, get the number for that variable. This variable number can then be
used to assign attributes, such as what variable to use for contouring.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

NAME = <string> Name of the variable. If a variable has aliases, the name must correspond to one of
the aliases.
Example: Get the variable number for the variable named PRESSURE and make it the contouring
variable.
$!GETVARNUMBYNAME |PVARNUM|
NAME = "PRESSURE"

132
 $!GETZONETYPE

$!GLOBALCONTOUR
VAR = |PVARNUM|

$!GETZONETYPE
Syntax: $!GETZONETYPE = <macrovar>
ZONE = <integer>
[no optional parameters]
Description: Query for the zone type of the specified zone. The zone type will be assigned to
<macrovar>. The possible return values are:
"ORDERED"
"FETRIANGLE"
"FEQUAD"
"FETETRA"
"FEBRICK"
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ZONE = <integer> Zone must be greater than or equal to one.
Example: $!GETZONETYPE |ZONETYPE|
ZONE = 1
$!IF "|ZONETYPE|" == "FETRIANGLE"
$!PAUSE "The zone is FE-Triangle."
$!ENDIF

$!GLOBALCOLORMAP
Syntax: $!GLOABLCOLORMAP [<groupnumbers>]
[optional parameters]

Description: A SetValue command that changes the settings for the global contour color map and the
global light source shading color map in Tecplot. Changes here affect all frames using
these color maps. See $!GLOBALCONTOUR COLORMAPFILTER for additional settings
that can be applied on a frame-by-frame basis.

133
 Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CONTOURCOLORMAP <colormap>
GRAYSCALE <<colormapcontrolpoints>>
GROUPNUMBER <integer> 1 Group number must be
between 1 and 4.
LGRAINBOW <<colormapcontrolpoints>>
MODERN <<colormapcontrolpoints>>
SMRAINBOW <<colormapcontrolpoints>>
TWOCOLOR <<colormapcontrolpoints>>
USERDEFINED <<colormapcontrolpoints>>
USERDEFINED NUMCONTROLPOINTS = <integer>
Example: Make the third control point for the small rainbow color map for the 4th Color Map group
to be positioned 0.44 of the way across the color map. Set the leading and trailing RGB
red value to 90:
$!GLOBALCOLORMAP 4
SMRAINBOW
{
CONTROLPOINT 3
{
COLORMAPFRACTION = 0.44
LEADRGB
{R = 90}
TRAILRGB
{R = 90}
}
}

$!GLOBALCONTOUR
Syntax: $!GLOBALCONTOUR [<contourgroup>]
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with contour plots or
contour levels. <contourgroup> refers to the defined contour groups, C1-C4, allowed in
Tecplot, and takes an integer value of one through four. The <contourgroup> parameter is
optional, and if omitted, C1 will be treated as current.
The NUMBERFORMAT setting for LABELS also controls the number format in the legend.

134
 $!GLOBALCONTOUR

Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CONTOURLINESTYLE This is used to
assign a special
line pattern
scheme for
contour line
plots.
{
CONTOURLINEMODE = <contourlinemode>
LINESKIP <op> <integer>
PATTERNLENGTH <op> <dexp>
}
COLORCUTOFF
{
INCLUDEMAX = <boolean>
INCLUDEMIN = <boolean>
RANGEMAX <op> <dexp>
RANGEMIN <op> <dexp>
}
COLORMAPFILTER The global color
map is defined
using the
$!COLORMAP
command.
COLORMAPFI
LTER allows
each frame to
make
adjustments to
the global color
map that will
only apply to the
current frame.
{
COLORMAPCYCLES <op> <integer>
COLORMAPDISTRIBUTION <colormapdistribution>
COLORMAPOVERRIDE <integer> <<colormapoverride>> Use <integer>
to choose which
override to
operate on.
COLORMAPOVERRIDEACTIVE = <boolean>
CONTINUOUSCOLOR <<continuouscolor>> FALSE
REVERSECOLORMAP = <boolean>
USEFASTSPPROXCONTINUOUSFLOOD = <boolean>
ZEBRA <<zebrashade>>
}

135
 Parameter Syntax Default Notes
DEFNUMLEVELS = <integer> Sets the target
number of
contour levels
for situations
where contour
levels are
automatically
reset. Tecplot
will attempt to
create levels
where the start,
end and
increment
values are all
clipped floating
point values.
LABELS
{
ALIGNAUTOLABELS = <boolean> If TRUE,
automatic labels
are aligned with
the contour
lines, otherwise
they are
horizontal.
AUTOLABELSPACING <op> <dexp>
AUTOLEVELSKIP <op> <integer> Value is in Y-
frame units.
COLOR = <color>
FILLCOLOR = <color>
GENERATEAUTOLABELS = <boolean> If TRUE,
automatic labels
are repositioned
on each redraw.
ISFILLED = <boolean>
LABELWITHVALUE = <boolean> If TRUE,
automatic labels
show the
contour value
otherwise they
show the
contour level
number.
MARGIN <op> <dexp>
NUMFORMAT <<numberformat>>
SHOW = <boolean>
TEXTSHAPE <<textshape>> Not allowed to
change size
units parameter.
}
LEGEND
{
ANCHORALIGNMENT <anchoralignment>
AUTORESIZE = <boolean>
AUTOSIZEMAXLIMIT = <double>

136
 $!GLOBALCONTOUR

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

BOX <<textbox>>
HEADERTEXTSHAPE <<textshape>>
INCLUDECUTOFFLEVELS = <boolean>
ISVERTICAL = <boolean>
LABELINCREMENT = <double>
LABELLOCATION = <contourlabellocation>
NUMBERTEXTSHAPE <<textshape>>
OVERLAYBARGRID = <boolean> Thin line around
each band in the
color bar.
ROWSPACING <op> <dexp>
SHOW = <boolean>
SHOWHEADER = <boolean>
TEXTCOLOR = <color>
XYPOS <<xy>>
}
VAR = <integer> Variable used
for contour
levels.
Example: This example does the following: Turns on the contour legend; Sets the flood cut-
off to go from 3 to 5; Reverses the color map; Inserts a color map override of yellow between con-
tour level number 7 and level number 9.

$!GLOBALCONTOUR [1]
LEGEND
{
SHOW = YES
}
COLORCUTOFF
{
RANGEMIN = 3
RANGEMAX = 5
INCLUDEMIN = TRUE
INCLUDEMAX = TRUE
}
COLORMAPFILTER
{
REVERSECOLORMAP = TRUE
COLORMAPOVERRIDEACTIVE = TRUE
COLORMAPOVERRIDE 1
{
INCLUDE = YES
COLOR = YELLOW
STARTLEVEL = 7

137
 ENDLEVEL = 9
}
}

$!GLOBALEDGE
Syntax: $!GLOBALEDGE
Description: A SetValue command that sets attributes which sets the minimum crease angle for edges.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default

MINCREASEANGLE <double> 135

$!GLOBALFRAME
Syntax: $!GLOBALFRAME
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that sets attributes which apply to all frames.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

FRAMEHEADERFORMAT = <string> The <string> contains the text that appears in each of Tecplot’s
frame headers. This string typically contains dynamic text. See the
Tecplot User’s Manual. The default string is:
"&(FRAMENAME)|&(DATE)|&(DATASETTITLE)."
FRAMEHEADERHEIGHT <op> <dexp> Value is in inches.
SNAPTOGRID = <boolean> Even if set to TRUE, Tecplot may not allow snapping in some
situations.
SNAPTOPAPER = <boolean> Even if set to TRUE, Tecplot may not allow snapping in some
situations.
Example: Customize the frame header text, and set the frame header height to be 0.25 inches:
$!GLOBALFRAME
FRAMEHEADERFORMAT = "My frame, the current date is
&(Date), &(Time)"
FRAMEHEADERHEIGHT = 0.25

$!GLOBALLINEPLOT
Syntax: $!GLOBALLINEPLOT

138
 $!GLOBALLINEPLOT

[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with Line-plots.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

DATALABELS These are text values that can be added to a plot to show the
indices or values for the data points.
{
COLOR = <color>
COLORBYZONEMAP = <boolean>
DISTANCESKIP <op> <dexp>
INCLUDEBOX = <boolean>
INDEXSKIP <op> <integer>
NODELABELTYPE = <labeltype>
NUMFORMAT <<numberformat>>
SHOWNODELABELS = <boolean>
SKIPMODE = <skipmode>
TEXTSHAPE <<textshape>> Not allowed to change size units parameter.
}
LEGEND Attributes for an optional legend added to an Line-plot. Entries
in the legend are determined dynamically by Tecplot
depending on which mappings are turned on.
{
ANCHORALIGNMENT = <anchoralignment>
BOX <<textbox>>
ROWSPACING <op> <dexp>
SHOW = <boolean>
SHOWTEXT = <boolean>
TEXTCOLOR = <color>
TEXTSHAPE <<textshape>> Not allowed to change size units.
XYPOS <<xy>>
}
Example: Turn on the data labels and show the Line-legend. Use the TIMESBOLD font in the
legend:
$!GLOBALLINEPLOT
DATALABELS
{
SHOWNODELABELS = YES
}
LEGEND
{
SHOW = YES
TEXTSHAPE
{
FONT = TIMESBOLD

139
 }
}

$!GLOBALPOLAR
Syntax: $!GLOBALPOLAR
[optional parameters]
Description: Allows polar plots to have curved lines that are interpolated along the R-Axis between
data points.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

ANGLE = <double> 1.0 Determines the angle for which lines will be approximated
as curves.
DRAWSTRAIGHTLINES = <boolean> TRUE Alternates between straight and curved interpolated lines
for polar plots.
Example: This example turns on curved lines and defines the maximum angle to be approximated
as a curved line to be 2.0 degrees.
$!GLOBALPOLAR
DRAWSTRAIGHTLINES = FALSE
ANGLE = 2.0
Example: $!GLOBALRGB
Syntax: $!GLOBALRGB
RGBMode = <RGBMode>
[optional parameters]
Description: Allows RGB coloring for plots which have RGB values specified at each vertex. This
coloring option is valuable for plots with entities such as Gas, Oil and Water. RGB
Coloring can be assigned to field plot objects such as zones, iso-surfaces and slices
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

RGBMODE = <specifyrgb> Sets whether the user specifies all three color variables for RGB
Coloring, or if Tecplot calculates one variable while the user
specifies two.

140
 $!GLOBALSCATTER

Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

REDCHANNELVAR = <integer> Sets variable for the red
channel.
GREENCHANNELVAR = <integer> Sets variable for the green
channel.
BLUECHANNELVAR = <integer> Sets variable for the blue
channel.
RANGEMIN = <double> 0.0
RANGEMAX = <double> 1.0
LEGEND
{
AHCHOR = <anchoralignment>
BLUECHANNELLABEL = <string>
BOX <<textbox>>
GREENCHANNELLABEL = <string>
HEIGHT = <double>
REDCHANNELLABEL = <string>
RGBLEGENDORIENTATION = <rgblegendorientation>
SHOW = <boolean>
SHOWLABELS = <boolean>
TEXTCOLOR = <color>
TEXTSHAPE <<textshape>>
USEBLUEVARNAME = <boolean>
USEGREENVARNAME = <boolean>
USEREDVARNAME = <boolean>
XYPOS <<xy>>
}
Example: This example turns on RGB Coloring and defines variables for the Red and Green
Channel, leaving Tecplot to calculate the Blue Channel values.
$!GLOBALRGB
RGBMODE = SPECIFYRG
REDCHANNELVAR = 1
GREENCHANNELVAR = 4

$!GLOBALSCATTER
Syntax: $!GLOBALSCATTER
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with scatter plots.

141
 Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

BASEFONT = <font>
DATALABELS These are text labels that can be added
to a plot to show node or cell values.
{
CELLLABELTYPE = <labeltype>
CELLLABELVAR = <integer>
COLOR = <color>
COLORBYZONEMAP = <boolean>
DISTANCESKIP <op> <dexp>
INCLUDEBOX = <boolean>
INDEXSKIP <op> <integer>
NODELABELTYPE = <labeltype>
NODELABELVAR <op> <integer>
NUMFORMAT <<numberformat>>
SHOWCELLLABELS = <boolean>
SHOWNODELABELS = <boolean>
SKIPMODE = <skipmode>
TEXTSHAPE <<textshape>> Not allowed to change size units
parameter
}
LEGEND
{
ANCHORPOS <<anchorpos>>
BOX <<textbox>>
ROWSPACING <op> <dexp>
SHOW = <boolean>
SHOWTEXT = <boolean>
TEXTCOLOR = <color>
TEXTSHAPE <<textshape>> Not allowed to change size units
parameter.
XYPOS <<xy>>
}
REFSCATSYMBOL
{
COLOR = <color>
FILLCOLOR = <color>
ISFILLED = <boolean>
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
MAGNITUDE <op> <dexp>
SHOW = <boolean>
SYMBOLSHAPE <<symbolshape>>
XYPOS <<xy>>
}
RELATIVESIZE <op> <dexp> Scaling factor for scatter symbols sized
“By Variable.”

142
 $!GLOBALTHREED

Parameter Syntax Notes

RELATIVESIZEINGRIDUNITS = <boolean> If TRUE, scatter sizing “By Variable” is
in grid units /magnitude otherwise
centimeters/magnitude.
SPHERESCATTERRENDERQUALITY = <spherescatterrenderquality> Config file only option.
VAR = <integer> Scatter sizing variable.
Example: This example does the following:
• Increases the relative size of scatter symbols that are sized by variable by ten
percent.
• Turns on the scatter sizing legend.
• Turns on the reference scatter symbol and makes it red.
• Turns on data labels for nodes.
$!GLOBALSCATTER
RELATIVESIZE * = 1.1
LEGEND
{
SHOW = YES
}
REFSCATSYMBOL
{
SHOW = YES
COLOR = RED
}
DATALABELS
{
SHOWNODELABELS = TRUE
}

$!GLOBALTHREED
Syntax: $!GLOBALTHREED
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with 3-D plots.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

AXISBOXPADDING <op> <dexp>
AXISSCALEFACT <<xyz>> The 3-D axis must be
INDEPENDENT for this
option to work properly. See
$!THREEDAXIS.

143
 Parameter Syntax Default Notes
FORCEGOURADFOR3DCONTFLOOD = <boolean> TRUE
FORCEPANELEDFOR3DCELLFLOOD = <boolean> TRUE
LIGHTSOURCE
{
BACKGROUNDLIGHT = <double>
INCLUDESPECULAR = <boolean> FALSE
INTENSITY = <double>
SPECULARINTENSITY = <integer> Range = 1-100
SPECULARSHININESS = <integer> Range = 1-100
SURFACECOLORCONTRAST = <double>
XYZDIRECTION <<xyz>> Always specify all three
components here. Tecplot
normalizes X, Y and Z after
processing the Z-component.
X, Y and Z represent a vector
in the eye coordinate system.
}
LINELIFTFRACTION <op> <dexp>
PERFORMEXTRA3DSORTING <boolean>
ROTATEORIGIN <<xyz>>
SLICE
{
ORIGIN <<xyz>>
NORMAL <<xyz>>
}
SYMBOLLIFTFRACTION <op> <dexp>
VECTORLIFTFRACTION <op> <dexp>
Example: $!GLOBALTHREED ROTATEORIGIN{X = 4.36052333891}
$!GLOBALTHREED
LIGHTSOURCE
{
XYZDIRECTION
{
X = 0.398226616447
Y = 0.435028248588
Z = 0.807567944438
}
}
$!GLOBALTHREED LIGHTSOURCE{INTENSITY = 80}
$!GLOBALTHREED LIGHTSOURCE{BACKGROUNDLIGHT = 25}
$!GLOBALTHREED LIGHTSOURCE{SURFACECOLORCONTRAST = 85}
$!GLOBALTHREED LINELIFTFRACTION = 7
$!GLOBALTHREED SYMBOLLIFTFRACTION = 0.5
$!GLOBALTHREED VECTORLIFTFRACTION = 6
$!GLOBALTHREED PERFORMEXTRA3DSORTING = YES

144
 $!GLOBALTHREEDVECTOR

$!GLOBALTHREEDVECTOR
Syntax: $!GLOBALTHREEDVECTOR
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with 3-D vector plots.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ARROWHEADANGLE <op> <dexp> Angle is in degrees.
HEADSIZEASFRACTION <op> <dexp> Head is sized as a fraction of the stem length.
HEADSIZEINFRAMEUNITS <op> <dexp> Value is in Y-frame units.
REFVECTOR
{
SHOW = <boolean>
COLOR = <color>
MAGNITUDE <op> <dexp>
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
ANGLE <op> <dexp>
XYPOS <<xy>>
MAGNITUDELABEL
{
SHOW = <boolean>
TEXTCOLOR = <color>
TEXTSHAPE <<textshape>>
NUMFORMAT <<numberformat>>
OFFSET = <double>
}
}
RELATIVELENGTH <op> <dexp>
RELATIVELENGTHINGRIDUNITS = <boolean> If TRUE and USERELATIVE is TRUE then vectors are
sized in Grid Units/Magnitude. If FALSE and
USERELATIVE is TRUE then vectors are sized in cm/
magnitude.
SIZEHEADBYFRACTION = <boolean> If TRUE, HEADSIZEASFRACTION is used to size
arrowheads otherwise HEADSIZEINFRAMEUNITS is
used.
UNIFORMLENGTH <op> <dexp> Value is in Y-frame units.
USERELATIVE = <boolean> If FALSE, vectors are all the same size
(UNIFORMLENGTH).
UVAR = <integer> Variable number for the X-vector component.
VVAR = <integer> Variable number for the Y-vector component.
WVAR = <integer> Variable number for the Z-vector component.
Example: This example does the following:
• Makes all vectors be uniform in size; 5 percent in Y-frame units.
• Makes the arrowheads 0.2 times the size of the stems.
• Turns off the reference vector.
$!GLOBALTHREEDVECTOR

145
 USERELATIVE = FALSE
UNIFORMLENGTH = 5
HEADSIZEASFRACTION = .2
REFVECTOR
{
SHOW = FALSE
}

$!GLOBALTIME
Syntax: $!GLOBALTIME SolutionTime

Description: A SetValue command for frames (2D and 3D ONLY). Different frames can have
different values of $!GLOBALTIME

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CURSTEP = <integer> The value of the current time step
END = <double>
SKIP = <integer>
SOLUTIONTIME = <double> 1 If SolutionTime is not set to a solution time in set
of solution times from all zones of the active
strand field-maps, SolutionTime is adjusted to
the closest value in that set.
START = <double>

$!GLOBALTWODVECTOR
Syntax: $!GLOBALTWODVECTOR
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with 2-D vector plots.

Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ARROWHEADANGLE <op> <dexp> Angle is in degrees.
HEADSIZEASFRACTION <op> <dexp> Head is sized as a fraction of the stem length.
HEADSIZEINFRAMEUNITS <op> <dexp> Value is in Y-frame units.
REFVECTOR
{
SHOW = <boolean>
COLOR = <color>
MAGNITUDE <op> <dexp>
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>

146
 $!IF...$!ENDIF

Parameter Syntax Notes

ANGLE <op> <dexp>
XYPOS <<xy>>
MAGNITUDELABEL
{
SHOW = <boolean>
TEXTCOLOR = <color>
TEXTSHAPE <<textshape>>
NUMFORMAT <<numberformat>>
OFFSET = <double>
}
}
RELATIVELENGTH <op> <dexp>
RELATIVELENGTHINGRIDUNITS = <boolean> If TRUE and USERELATIVE is TRUE then vectors are
sized in Grid Units/Magnitude. If FALSE and
USERELATIVE is TRUE then vectors are sized in cm/
magnitude.
SIZEHEADBYFRACTION = <boolean> If TRUE, HEADSIZEASFRACTION is used to size
arrowheads otherwise HEADSIZEINFRAMEUNITS is
used.
UNIFORMLENGTH <op> <dexp> Value is in Y-frame units.
USERELATIVE = <boolean> If FALSE, vectors are all the same size
(UNIFORMLENGTH).
UVAR = <integer> Variable number for the X-vector component.
VVAR = <integer> Variable number for the Y-vector component.
Example: This example does the following:
- Doubles the vector length (assume vectors currently drawn using relative length).
- Make the vector heads uniform in size; 2 percent in frame units.
- Make the head angle 15 degrees.
$!GLOBALTWODVECTOR
RELATIVELENGTH *= 2
SIZEHEADBYFRACTION = NO
HEADSIZEINFRAMEUNITS = 2
HEADANGLE = 15

$!IF...$!ENDIF
Syntax: $!IF <conditionalexp>
$!ENDIF
Description: Conditionally process macro commands.
Example 1: Process macro commands if the macro variable |myvar| is less than 73.2:
$!IF |myvar| < 73.2

147
 .
.
.
$!ENDIF
Example 2: Process macro commands if the macro variable |response| is YES:
$!IF "|response|" == "YES"
.
.
.
$!ENDIF

$!INCLUDEMACRO
Syntax: $!INCLUDEMACRO <string>
Description: Insert the commands from another macro file. Because the $!INCLUDEMACRO
command is processed when the macro is loaded and not when the macro is executed,
you are not allowed to reference macro variables within the <string> parameter.
Example: Include the macro file m2.mcr:
$!INCLUDEMACRO "m2.mcr"

$!INTERFACE
Syntax: $!INTERFACE
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that sets attributes related to the Tecplot interface.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ALLOWDATAPOINTSELECT = <boolean> If TRUE, Tecplot allows you
to use the Adjustor tool to
select and move data points.
APPROXIMATIONMODE = <boolean> If TRUE, Tecplot allows you
to use the Adjustor tool to
select and move data points.
AUTOREDRAWISACTIVE = <boolean> Set to FALSE to turn Auto
Redraw off.
BACKINGSTOREMODE = <backingstoremode>
BEEPONFRAMEINTERRUPT = <boolean>

148
 $!INTERFACE

Parameter Syntax Notes

CACHELIGHTDISPLAYLISTSONLY = <boolean> When caching graphics in
display lists, only cache
those objects which uses
little memory. When this is
on, only approximated plots
are saved. Full plots are not
saved. This only has an
effect if
USEDISPLAYLISTS is set
to TRUE, and if
USEAPPROXIMATEPLOT
S is TRUE.
CONSERVEDERIVEDVARIABLESPACE = <boolean>
DATA
{
SMOOTHBNDRYCOND = <boundarycondition>
NUMSMOOTHPASSES <op> <integer>
SMOOTHWEIGHT <op> <dexp>
INVDISTEXPONENT <op> <dexp>
INVDISTMINRADIUS <op> <dexp>
LINEARINTERPCONST <op> <dexp>
LINEARINTERPMODE = <linearinterpmode>
INTERPPTSELECTION = <pointselection>
INTERPNPOINTS <op> <integer>
KRIGRANGE <op> <dexp>
KRIGZEROVALUE <op> <dexp>
KRIGDRIFT = <krigdrift>
DERIVATIVEBOUNDARY = <derivpos>
TRIANGLEKEEPFACTOR <op> <dexp>
VARIABLEDERIVATIONMETHOD = [ACCURATE or FAST]
VOLUMECELLINTERPOLATIONMODE = TRILINEAR
CONTLINECREATEMODE =
[ONEZONEPERCONTOURL
EVER,
ONEZONEPERINDEPENDE
NTPOLYLINE]
}

149
 Parameter Syntax Notes
DIALOGPLACEMENT The DIALOGPLACMENT
{ parameter may only appear
in the tecplot config file. You
ADVANCED3DCONTROLDIALOG <<dialogplacement>> may specify the placement
ANCHORALIGNMENT <<dialogplacement>> of the indicated dialogs.
ANCHORHORIZONTALINSIDE <<dialogplacement>> Dialog placement is relative
ANCHORVERTICALINSIDE <<dialogplacement>> to the main Tecplot window.
AXISEDITDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
COLORMAPDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
CONTOURDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
CREATE1DLINEDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
CREATECIRCULARZONEDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
CREATERECTANGULARZONEDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
CREATEZONEFROM POLYLINESDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
CREATEZONEFROMVALUESDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
CURVEINFODIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
DATAINFODIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
DATALABELSDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
DATASPREADSHEETDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
DELETEVARIABLESDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
DELETEZONESDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
DEPTHBLANKINGDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
DUPLICATEZONEDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
EQUATIONDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
EXPORTDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
EXTRACTCONTOURLINESDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
EXTRACTDISCRETEPOINTSDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
EXTRACTFEBOUNDARYDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
EXTRACTISOSURFACESDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
EXTRACTPOINTSFROMGEOMETRYDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
EXTRACTPOINTSFROMPOLYLINEDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
EXTRACTSLICEFROMPLANEDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
EXTRACTSLICESDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
EXTRACTSTREAMTRACESDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
EXTRACTSUBZONEDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
IJKBLANKINGDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
IMPORTDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
INVERSEDISTANCEINTERPOLATIONDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
IOFFSET <<dialogplacement>>
JOFFSET <<dialogplacement>>
ISOSURFACESDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
KRIGINGINTERPOLATIONDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
LIGHTSOURCEDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
LINEARINTERPOLATIONDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
LINEMAPLEGENDDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
LOADDATADIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
MACROPLAYDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
MACRORECORDDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
MACROVIEWERDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>

150
 $!INTERFACE

Parameter Syntax Notes

MINVISIBILITYPERCENTAGE <<dialogplacement>>
MIRRORZONEDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
NEWLAYOUTDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
OPENLAYOUTDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
ORDERFRAMESDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
PAPERSETUPDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
POLARDRAWINGOPTIONSDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
POSITIONATANCHOR <<dialogplacement>>
PRINTDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
RULERGRIDDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
SAVEASDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
SAVEDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
SCATTERLEGENDDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
SCATTERREFERENCESYMBOLDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
SCATTERSIZEANDFONTDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
SLICESDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
SMOOTHDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
SPATIALVARSDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
STREAMTRACESDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
STYLELINKINGDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
THREEDAXISLIMITSDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
THREEDORIENTATIONAXISDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
THREEDVIEWDETAILSDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
THREEDVIEWROTATEDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
TRANSFORMCOORDINATESDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
TRANSLATEMAGNIFYDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
TRIANGULATEDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
TWODDRAWORDERDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
VALUEBLANKINGDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
VECTORARROWHEADSDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
VECTORLENGTHDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
VECTORREFERENCEVECTORDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
VECTORVARSDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
WRITEDATADIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
ZONEMAPSTYLEDIALOG <<dialogplacement>>
ENABLEDELAYS = <boolean> Enable or disable delays in
macro commands.
ENABLEINTERRUPTS = <boolean> Enable or disable user
interrupts.
ENABLEPAUSES = <boolean> Enable or disable pause.
ENABLEWARNINGS = <boolean> Enable or disable warning
dialogs.
INTIALFIELDPROBEDIALOGPAGE = [NODALVALUES,
ZONECELLINFO,
CELLCENTEREDVALUES,
or FACENEIGHBORS]

151
 Parameter Syntax Notes
INITIALPLOTFIRSTZONEONLY = <boolean> If TRUE, only the first
enabled zone is activated.
Default shows all zones
(except from within a
layout).
INITIALPLOTTYPE = <plottype> Default is Automatic
INTERRUPTCHECKINGFREQUENCY = <integer> Set the number of
milliseconds between checks
for a key- or button-press by
the user to interrupt
processing in Tecplot.
LISTCOMMANDSINMACROVIEWER = <boolean> If FALSE, macro commands
are displayed in full one at a
time.
LOADADDONSUSINGLAZYRELOCATE = <boolean> If set to FALSE, all add-on
symbols are loaded
immediately.
MAXCUSTOMCOLORSININTERFACE = <integer> UNIX only. Valid values are
1 to 56. Some UNIX
displays cannot allocate
enough colors for the
Tecplot interface. Use this
option to limit the number of
custom colors displayed in
the Tecplot interface.
MAXNUMUNDOLEVELS = <integer>
MINPIXELSFORDRAG <integer> Number of pixels to move
the pointer before it is
considered a drag.
MOUSEACTIONS
{
MIDDLEBUTTON <mousebuttonclick>
{
BUTTONCLICK <mousebuttondrag>
SIMPLEDRAG <mousebuttondrag>
CONTROLLEDDRAG <mousebuttondrag>
ALTEDDRAG <mousebuttondrag>
SHIFTEDDRAG <mousebuttondrag>
CONTROLALTEDDRAG <mousebuttondrag>
CONTROLSHIFTEDDRAG <mousebuttondrag>
ALTSHIFTEDDRAG <mousebuttondrag>
CONTROLALTSHIFTEDDRAG <mousebuttondrag>
}
RIGHTBUTTON
{
BUTTONCLICK <mousebuttondrag>
SIMPLEDRAG <mousebuttondrag>
CONTROLLEDDRAG <mousebuttondrag>
ALTEDDRAG <mousebuttondrag>
SHIFTEDDRAG <mousebuttondrag>
CONTROLALTEDDRAG <mousebuttondrag>
CONTROLSHIFTEDDRAG <mousebuttondrag>

152
 $!INTERFACE

Parameter Syntax Notes

ALTSHIFTEDDRAG <mousebuttondrag>
CONTROLALTSHIFTEDDRAG <mousebuttondrag>
}
}
NUMMOUSEBUTTONS <integer> This option is only for UNIX
users who are using
MIDDLEMOUSEBUTTON
MODE or
RIGHTMOUSEBUTTONM
ODE.
NUMPTSALLOWEDBEFOREAPPROX <integer> When a frame’s active zones
contain this many points or
less, the frame is not
approximated, but always
drawn in full. This applies to
all frames when
PLOTAPPROXIMATIONM
ODE is AUTOMATIC, and
to the current frame only
when
PLOTAPPROXIMATIONM
ODE is
NONCURRENTALWAYSA
PPROX. This setting has no
effect when
PLOTAPPROXIMATIONM
ODE is set to
ALLFRAMESALWAYSAP
PROX.
OKTOEXECUTESYSTEMCOMMAND = <boolean> Allow use of $!SYSTEM
commands in macros. This is
a security issue. If set to
FALSE and the macro is run
intermittently you will be
asked for permission to
execute the $!SYSTEM
command. If Tecplot is run
in batch mode and this is
FALSE an error will be
generated and the macro will
terminate.
OPENGLCONFIG
{
RUNDISPLAYLISTSAFTERBUILDING = <boolean> Tecplot defaults to building
and running display lists
simultaneously. Turn
RunDisplayListsAfterBuildi
ng on if you want to run the
display lists after they are
built. This may increase
display list performance on
some machines. The
difference is often times
negligible.

153
 Parameter Syntax Notes
ALLOWHWACCELERATION = <boolean> Windows only. This will
disable hardware
acceleration for Tecplot
without having to change the
Windows Display
Properties.
Setting
ALLOWHWACCELERATI
ON to NO may fix errors
caused by hardware
acceleration on buggy
graphics card drivers.
SCREENRENDERING <<renderconfig>>
IMAGERENDERING <<renderconfig>>
MAXFILTERMAGNIFICATION = <integer> Sets the maximum
magnification by non-texture
resize filer before textures
are used. This keeps Tecplot
from creating textures which
are too large. Setting this
above three is not
recommended, although
setting below 1.0 will result
in the use of a faster texture
algorithm.
}
PERCENTAGEOFPOINTSTOKEEP = <integer> Sets the percentage of points
to keep in a frame when a
frame is approximated.
See the Tecplot User’s
Manual for a complete
description.
PICKHANDLEWIDTH <op> <dexp> Value is in inches on the
screen.
PLOTAPPROXIMATIONMODE = <plotapproximationmode> Specifies the mode in which
you want the plots to be
approximated. See the
Tecplot User’s Manual for a
complete description of each
mode.
PRINTDEBUG = <boolean> If TRUE, debugging
information is sent to the
standard output.
QUICKCOLORMODE = <quickcolormode> Choose objects for color
changes made using the
Quick Edit dialog
ROTATION Settings for interactive
rotations in 3-D.
{
ROTATIONMODE = <rotationmode>
CURRENTANGLE = <op> <dexp>
SMALLANGLE = <op> <dexp>
MEDIUMANGLE = <op> <dexp>
LARGEANGLE = <op> <dexp>
ROTATEDEGPERFRAMEUNIT = <integer>
SHOWGEOMS = <boolean>

154
 $!INTERFACE

Parameter Syntax Notes

}
ROTATEDEGPERFRAMEUNIT = <integer>
RULERPADDING <op> <dexp> Distance between workarea
ruler and clipping edge for
the paper and frames. Units
are inches.
RULERTHICKNESS <op> <dexp> Value is in inches on the
screen.
SCALE Settings for interactive
{ scaling.
STEPSIZE <op> <dexp>
SMALLSTEP <op> <dexp>
MEDIUMSTEP <op> <dexp>
LARGESTEP <op> <dexp>
ZOOMSCALEPERFRAMEUNIT <op> <double>
}
SCRBACKGROUNDCOLOR = <color> Set the workspace
background color.
SECURESPOOLCOMMANDS = <boolean> Set to FALSE to allow
$!SPOOLER commands
outside the configuration
file.
SHOWCONTINUOUSSTATUS = <boolean>
SHOWCOORDINATES = <boolean>
SHOWFRAMEBORDERSWHENOFF = <boolean> If TRUE, frame borders are
drawn using a dashed line
when they are turned off.
This applies only to the
screen and does not effect
the hardcopy.
SHOWSTATUSLINE = <boolean>
SHOWTEXTGEOMSINAPPROXVIEWS = <boolean> Set to TRUE if you want text
and geometries to show up in
frames using approximated
plots
SHOWTOOLTIPS = <boolean>
SHOWWAITDIALOGS = <boolean> If FALSE, all "Please Wait"
and "Percent Done"
dialogs will be disabled.
SIDEBARSIZING = <sidebarsizing>
TRANSLATION Settings for interactive
translation.
{
STEPSIZE <op> <dexp>
SMALLSTEP <op> <dexp>
MEDIUMSTEP <op> <dexp>
LARGESTEP <op> <dexp>
ZOOMSCALEPERFRAMEUNIT = <double>
}
TRUETYPEMINOUTLINEPOINTSIZE = <integer>

155
 Parameter Syntax Notes
USEMOD2MASKFORALTDETECTION = <boolean> Certain platforms have a
problem with the ALT key.
Set to TRUE to bypass the
problem.
UNIXHELPBROWSERCMD = <string> Sets the command used to
launch a browser for add-ons
that use HTML for their help
file (UNIX only; Windows
automatically connects to
primary browser). For
security reasons this
command can only be used
in the Tecplot configuration
file.
UNIXTRUETYPEFONTPATH = <string> Path to where true type fonts
are stored.
USEAPPROXIMATEPLOTS = <boolean> Set to TRUE to use
approximate plots. This will
speed up any interactive
rotations and translations,
and many other actions as
well.
USEDISPLAYLISTS = <boolean>
USEDOUBLEBUFFERING = <boolean>
USEDOUBLEFORDISPLAYLISTS = <boolean>
USEFASTAPPROXCONTINUOUSFLOOD = <boolean>
USEDISPLAYLISTS = <boolean> Use stroke fonts for data
labels and ASCII scatter
symbols in 3-D plots.
USEOFFSCREENBITMAP = <boolean> Set to TRUE to render
images off-screen.
USESTROKEFONTSFOR3DTEXT = <boolean> Set to TRUE to use Tecplot’s
internal stroke fonts, set to
FALSE to use true type
fonts. This option is only
available under Windows.
USESTROKEFONTSFORSMALLSCREENTEXT = <boolean> When using True Type fonts,
switch to stroke fonts for
small characters.
USESTROKEFONTSONSCREEN = <boolean> This applies to Windows
only. Set to TRUE to use
Tecplot’s printer drivers. Set
to FALSE to use Windows
printer drivers.
USETECPLOTPRINTDRIVERS = <boolean>
XORCOLOR <op> <integer> Color index to use for
XORed lines. Set to 0 to
make Tecplot calculate.
ZONEMAPNAMECOLUMNWIDTH = <double> Range is 10-1000. Sets the
width of the Zone/Map
Name column under Plot
Attributes.
Example: This example does the following:
• Makes the frame borders show on the screen when they are turned off.

156
 $!INVERSEDISTINTERPOLATE

• Makes the middle mouse button be Redraw.

• Makes the right mouse button revert to Selector.
• Makes the default number of passes for smoothing 20.
• Turns off the status line.
$!INTERFACE
SHOWFRAMEBORDERSWHENOFF = TRUE
MOUSEACTIONS
{
MIDDLEBUTTON
{
BUTTONCLICK = REDRAW
}
RIGHTBUTTON
{
BUTTONCLICK = REVERTTOSELECT
}
}
DATA
{
NUMSMOOTHPASSES = 20
}
SHOWSTATUSLINE = NO

$!INVERSEDISTINTERPOLATE
Syntax: $!INVERSEDISTINTERPOLATE
DESTINATIONZONE = <integer>
[optional parameters]
Description: Interpolate selected variables from one or more zones onto a destination zone using the
inverse distance method.
Required Parameter:

Parameters Syntax Notes

DESTINATIONZONE = <integer> Zone to interpolate to.
Optional Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

INTERPNPOINTS = <integer> 8
INTERPPTSELECTION = <interpptselection> OCTANTNPOINTS
INVDISTEXPONENT = <dexp> 3.5

157
 Parameters Syntax Default Notes
INVDISTMINRADIUS = <dexp> 0.0
SOURCEZONES = <set> All zones except
destination zone.
VARLIST = <set> All variables except Choose the variables to interpolate.
spatial variables. The spatial variables (X, Y and Z if
3-D) are not allowed.
Example: Interpolate variables 7-10 from zone 4 to zone 2:
$!INVERSEDISTINTERPOLATE
SOURCEZONES = [4]
DESTINATIONZONE = 2
VARLIST = [7-10]

$!ISOSURFACEATTRIBUTES
Syntax: $!ISOSURFACEATTRIBUTES [<group]
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command which changes attributes associated with iso-surfaces. The optional
group parameter can range from 1-4 and defaults to 1 when absent.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

SHOWGROUP = <boolean>
ISOSURFACESELECTION = <isosurfacesselection>
ISOVALUE1 = <double>
ISOVALUE2 = <double>
ISOVALUE3 = <double>
MESH
{
SHOW = <boolean>
COLOR = <color>
LINETHICKNESS = <double>
}
CONTOUR
{
SHOW = <boolean>
USELIGHTINGEFFECT = <boolean>
CONTOURTYPE = <contourtype> FLOOD PRIMARYVALUE and
AVERAGECELL not
allowed.
FLOODCOLORING = <contourcoloring>
LINECONTOURGROUP = <integer> Group1
COLOR = <color>
LINETHICKNESS = <double>

158
 $!ISOSURFACELAYERS

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

}
EFFECTS
{
LIGHTINGEFFECT = <lightingeffect>
SURFACETRANSLUCENCY = <translucency>
USETRANSLUCENCY = <boolean>
}
DEFINITIONCONTOURGROUP = <integer> 1 Contour group from
which iso-surfaces are
based.
MARCHINGCUBEALGORITHM = [classic or classicplus]
OBEYSOURCEZONEBLANKING = <boolean>
SHADE
{
COLOR = <color>
SHOW = <boolean>
USELIGHTINGEFFECT = <boolean>
}
Example:
$!GLOBALISOSURFACE
ISOSURFACESELECTION = ONESPECIFICVALUE
ISOVALUE1 = 113.626812744
MESH{SHOW = YES}
MESH{COLOR = BLUE}
MESH{LINETHICKNESS = 0.4}
CONTOUR{SHOW = YES}
SURFACEEFFECTS{LIGHTINGEFFECT = PANELED}
SURFACEEFFECTS{SURFACETRANSLUCENCY = 60}

$!ISOSURFACELAYERS
Syntax: $!ISOSURFACELAYERS

Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

SHOW <boolean>

$!KRIG
Syntax: $!KRIG

159
 DESTINATIONZONE = <integer>
[optional parameters]
Description: Interpolate selected variables from a set of source zones to a destination zone using the
kriging method.
Required Parameter:

Parameters Syntax Notes

DESTINATIONZONE = <integer> Zone to interpolate to.
Optional Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

INTERPNPOINTS = <integer> 8
INTERPPTSELECTION = <interpptselection> OCTANTNPOINTS
KRIGDRIFT = <krigdrift> LINEAR
KRIGRANGE = <dexp> 0.3
KRIGZEROVALUE = <dexp> 0.0
SOURCEZONES = <set> All zones except the
destination zone.
VARLIST = <set> All variables except Choose the variables to
spatial variables. interpolate. The spatial
variables (X, Y and Z if 3D)
are not allowed.
Example: Krig from zones 3 and 4 onto zone 2. Only interpolate variable 7:
$!KRIG
SOURCEZONES = [3, 4]
DESTINATIONZONE= 2
VARLIST = [7]

$!LAUNCHDIALOG
Syntax: $!LAUNCHDIALOG <dialogname>
[no parameters]
Description: Launch a Tecplot interface dialog; This command is mainly useful for the Tecplot demo.
Example: Launch Tecplot’s Macro Viewer dialog:
$!LAUNCHDIALOG MACROVIEWER

$!LIMITS
Syntax: $!LIMITS
[optional parameters]

160
 $!LINEARINTERPOLATE

Description: A SetValue command that sets some of the internal limits in Tecplot. See Tecplot User’s
Manual for the default values for these limits. The $!LIMITS command can only be
used in the Tecplot configuration file.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

LODThresholdMinFract <op> <double>
LODThresholdMaxFract <op> <double>
MAXAVAILABLEPROCESSORS <op> <integer> Sets the maximum number of processors used by Tecplot.
Some tasks can be performed in parallel so using all
available processors can greatly increases performance of
those tasks. A value of zero instructs Tecplot to use the
maximum number of processors available on the machine up
to the limit of 8 and provides the best performance in most
cases. Values between 1 and 8 can be assigned to override
what Tecplot thinks is the maximum number or to limit the
number of processors used by Tecplot.
MAXPTSINALINE <op> <integer> Maximum number of points for geometry polylines.
MAXCHRSINTEXTLABELS <op> <integer> Maximum number of characters in text labels.
MAXNUMCONTOURLEVELS <op> <integer> Maximum number of contour levels.
MAXPREPLOTVARS <op> <integer> Maximum number of variables allowed in an ASCII data file
loaded into Tecplot.
MAXPREPLOTZONES <op> <integer> Maximum number of zones allowed in an ASCII data file
loaded into Tecplot.
MAXNUMPICKOBJECTS <op> <integer> Maximum number of objects to pick.
MAXTHREADS <op> <integer> Limit the number of threads
MAXUSABLEMEMORY <op> <integer> Limit the amount of memory used by Tecplot.
Example: Increase the maximum number of contour levels allowed to 1,000:
$!LIMITS
MAXNUMCONTOURLEVELS = 1000

$!LINEARINTERPOLATE
Syntax: $!LINEARINTERPOLATE
DESTINATIONZONE = <integer>
[optional parameters]
Description: Interpolate selected variables from a set of source zones to a destination zone using linear
interpolation. The source zones cannot be I-ordered. Values assigned to the destination
zone are equivalent to the results of using the probe tool in Tecplot.
Required Parameter:

Parameters Syntax Notes

DESTINATIONZONE = <integer> Zone to interpolate to.

161
 Optional Parameters:

Parameter
Syntax Default Notes
s
SOURCEZONES = <set> All zones except
the destination
zone.
VARLIST = <set> All variables except Choose the variables to interpolate. The spatial
spatial variables. variables (X, Y and Z if 3-D) are not allowed.
Example: Do linear interpolation from zones 2, 3 and 4 onto zone 7. Interpolate only variables 3-7:
$!LINEARINTERPOLATE
SOURCEZONES = [2-4]
DESTINATIONZONE = 7
VARLIST = [3-7]

$!LINEMAP
Syntax: $!LINEMAP [<set>]
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that assigns attributes for individual Line-mappings. The <set>
parameter immediately following the $!LINEMAP command is optional. If <set> is
omitted then the assignment is applied to all Line-mappings, otherwise the assignment is
applied only to the Line-mappings specified in <set>.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

ASSIGN
{
ZONE = <integer>
XAXISVAR <op> <integer>
YAXISVAR <op> <integer>
THETAAXISVAR <op> <integer>
RAXISVAR <op> <integer>
XAXIS <op> <integer>
YAXIS <op> <integer>
FUNCTIONDEPENDENCY = <functiondependency>
SHOWINLEGEND = [ALWAYS,NEVER,
AUTO]
SORT <sortby>
SORTVAR = <integer>
}
BARCHARTS
{
SHOW = <boolean>

162
 $!LINEMAP

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

COLOR = <color>
FILLMODE = <fillmode>
FILLCOLOR = <color>
SIZE <op> <dexp>
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
}
CURVES
{
CURVETYPE = <curvetype>
EXTENDEDNAME = <string> Only used by the Extended Curve-
fit Add-on.
EXTENDEDSETTINGS = <string> Only used by the Extended Curve-
fit Add-on.
USEWEIGHTVAR = <boolean>
NUMPTS <op> <integer>
POLYORDER <op> <integer>
WEIGHTVAR = <integer>
INDVARMIN <op> <dexp>
INDVARMAX <op> <dexp>
USEINDVARRANGE = <boolean>
CLAMPSPLINE = <boolean>
SPLINEDERIVATIVEATSTART <op> <dexp>
SPLINEDERIVATIVEATEND <op> <dexp>
}
ERRORBARS
{
SHOW = <boolean>
VAR = <integer>
BARTYPE = <errorbartype>
COLOR = <color>
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
SKIPPING <op> <dexp> Skip can be by index or distance
depending on SKIPMODE.
SKIPMODE = <skipmode>
SIZE <op> <dexp>
}
INDICES The indices parameter is used to
{ restrict the range of data plotted
(and which lines are plotted if the
IJKLINES =<ijklines>
data is IJ- or IJK-ordered).
IRANGE <<indexrange>>
JRANGE <<indexrange>>
KRANGE <<indexrange>>
}
LINES
{
SHOW = <boolean>
COLOR = <color>
LINEPATTERN = <linepattern>
PATTERNLENGTH = <op> <dexp>

163
 Parameter Syntax Default Notes
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
}
NAME = <string>
SYMBOLS
{
SHOW = <boolean>
COLOR = <color>
FILLMODE = <fillmode>
FILLCOLOR = <color>
SIZE <op> <dexp>
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
SKIPPING <op> <dexp> Skip can be by index or distance
depending on SKIPMODE.
SKIPMODE = <skipmode>
SYMBOLSHAPE <<symbolshape>>
}
Examples:
Example 1: Assign variable 1 to be on the X-axis and variable 4 to be on the Y-axis for Line-mapping
number 7:
$!LINEMAP [7]
ASSIGN
{
XAXISVAR = 1
YAXISVAR = 4
}

Example 2: Make Error Bars red for all Line-mappings:

$!LINEMAP
ERRORBARS
{
COLOR = RED
}

Example 3: Set Line-mappings 3-5 to draw a polynomial curve fit of order 5:

$!LINEMAP [3-5]
CURVES
{
POLYORDER = 5
CURVETYPE = CURVFIT
}
LINES
{

164
 $!LINEPLOTLAYERS

SHOW = YES
}

$!LINEPLOTLAYERS
Syntax: $!LINEPLOTLAYERS
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that turns on or off Line-plot layers.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

SHOWLINES = <boolean>
SHOWSYMBOLS = <boolean>
SHOWBARCHARTS = <boolean>
SHOWERRORBARS = <boolean> Line-mapping must have an error bar variable assigned for this to
have an effect.
Example: Turn on the symbols layer for Line-plots:
$!LINEPLOTLAYERS
SHOWSYMBOLS = YES

$!LINKCOLORMAPS
Syntax: $!LINKCOLORMAPS = <boolean>
Description: Set to true to tie all colormaps together.

$!LINKING
Syntax: $!LINKING
[optional parameters]
Description: Link attributes in two or more frames so that changes to attributes of one frame effect all
linked frames.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

BETWEENFRAMES
{
LINKCONTOURLEVELS
LINKFRAMESIZEANDPOSITION = <boolean>

165
 Parameter Syntax Notes
LINKXAXISRANGE = <boolean>
LINKYAXISRANGE = <boolean>
LINKPOLARVIEW = <boolean>
LINK3DVIEW = <boolean>
LINKGROUP = <integer>
LINKAXISPOSITION = <boolean>
LINKVALUEBLANKING = <boolean>
LINKSLICEPOSITIONS = <boolean>
LINKISOSURFACEVALUES = <boolean>
}
WITHINFRAME
{
LINKAXISSTYLE = <boolean>
LINKGRIDLINESTYLE = <boolean>
LINKLAYERLINECOLOR = <boolean>
LINKLAYERLINEPATTERN = <boolean>
}
Example: The following example will set the link attribute for
all frames in the layout to LINK3DVIEW.
$!LOOP |NUMFRAMES|
$!LINKING BETWEENFRAME LINK3DVIEW = YES
$!FRAMECONTROL PUSHTOP
$!ENDLOOP

$!LOADADDON
Syntax: $!LOADADDON <string>
INITFUNCTION = <string>
ADDONSTYLE = <addonstyle>
Description: Load an add-on into Tecplot. The <string> is the name of the add-on to load. See the
Tecplot User’s Manual for instructions on how to specify the add-on.
Optional Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

ADDONSTYLE = <string> V7Standard Style of the add-on to load. This can be either
V7STANDARD or V7ACTIVEX.
INITFUNCTION = <string> InitTecAddOn Name of the function inside of the add-on that is
used to initialize the add-on.

Example: Load the Circle Stream add-on. It is a V7STANDARD add-on stored in a library named
cstream.
$!LOADADDON "cstream"

166
 $!LOADCOLORMAP

$!LOADCOLORMAP
Syntax: $!LOADCOLORMAP <string>
[no parameters]
Description: Load a color map file. The <string> is the name of the file to load.
Example: $!LOADCOLORMAP "mycolors.map"

$!LOOP...$!ENDLOOP
Syntax: $!LOOP <integer>
$!ENDLOOP
Description: Process macro commands in a loop. Within the loop you may access the current loop
counter using the internal macro variable |Loop|. Loops may be nested up to 10 levels
deep.
Example: Process macro commands 3 times over:
$!LOOP 3
.
.
.
$!ENDLOOP

$!MACROFUNCTION...$!ENDMACROFUNCTION
Syntax: $!MACROFUNCTION
NAME = <string>
[optional parameters]
.
.
.
$!ENDMACROFUNCTION
Description: Define a macro function. All commands between a $!MACROFUNCTION and the
$!ENDMACROFUNCTION are associated with the macro function NAME. These
commands are not executed when they are defined but are executed when a
$!RUNMACROFUNCTION command is processed. Parameters can be passed to a macro
function. Use |n| to reference the nth parameter. (See $!RUNMACROFUNCTION). To
use the KEYSTROKE option, <Crtl>+M must be pressed initially.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

NAME = <string> Name of the macro function.

167
 Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

KEYSTROKE = <string> Allows keyboard shortcuts
RETAIN = <boolean> FALSE Set this to TRUE if you want Tecplot to retain this
macro function when the macro in which this
macro function was defined terminates. If the
macro function is retained then it can be called
when another macro is loaded at a later time.
SHOWINMACROPANEL = <boolean> TRUE Used only for macro functions within the
tecplot.mcr file. Set this to FALSE if you do not
want Tecplot to include the macro function in
Tecplot’s Quick Macro Panel.
Example: Define a macro function that redraws the current frame n times when <Crtl>+M is hit and
then the ‘R’ key is pressed, where n is passed to the macro function:
$!MACROFUNCTION
NAME = "ABC"
KEYSTROKE = "R"
$!LOOP |n|
$!REDRAW
$!ENDLOOP
$!ENDMACROFUNCTION

$!NEWLAYOUT
Syntax: $!NEWLAYOUT
[no parameters]
Description: Clear the current layout and start again. A blank default frame will be created for you.
Example: $!NEWLAYOUT

$!OPENLAYOUT
Syntax: $!OPENLAYOUT <string>
[optional parameters]
Description: Open and read in a new layout file. The <string> is the name of the file to open.

168
 $!PAPER

Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

ALTDATALOADINSTRUCTIONS = <string> Null Specify alternate data load instructions.
Tecplot data files: This is a list of filenames to
use as replacements for data files referenced
in the layout file. Use " to enclose file names
that contain spaces or the + symbol. By
default, separate file names listed in the
ALTDATALOADINSTRUCTIONS are
assigned to successive data sets that are
referenced within a layout file. If you have a
data set that references multiple data files, use
the plus symbol, +, to group file names.
Non-Tecplot formats (including data being
input via a data loader add-on): This is a list
of instructions that are passed on to the loader.
APPEND = <boolean> FALSE Set to FALSE if you want Tecplot to delete
the current layout prior to reading in the new
one.
Examples:
Example 1: Open a new layout file called abc.lay and replace the data file referenced in the
layout file with t.plt:
$!OPENLAYOUT "abc.lay"
ALTDATALOADINSTRUCTIONS = "t.plt"

Example 2: Open a new layout file called multiframe.lay and replace the first data set with
t.plt and the second data set with the two files, a.plt and b.plt:
$!OPENLAYOUT "multiframe.lay"
ALTDATALOADINSTRUCTIONS = '"t.plt" "a.plt"+"b.plt"'

$!PAPER
Syntax: $!PAPER
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that sets the paper characteristics.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

BACKGROUNDCOLOR = <color>
GRIDSPACING = <papergridspacing> Set the spacing for the tick marks on the paper.
ISTRANSPARENT = <boolean>
ORIENTPORTRAIT = <boolean>
PAPERGRIDSPACING = <papergridspacing>
PAPERSIZE = <papersize>

169
 Parameter Syntax Notes
PAPERSIZEINFO
{
LETTER <<papersize>>
DOUBLE <<papersize>>
A3 <<papersize>>
A4 <<papersize>>
CUSTOM1 <<papersize>>
CUSTOM2 <<papersize>>
}
REGIONINWORKAREA <<rect>> Specify rectangle that must fit within the workarea. Units are
in inches (that is, in the paper coordinate system).
RULERSPACING = <paperrulerspacing>
SHOWGRID = <boolean>
SHOWPAPER = <boolean>
SHOWRULER = <boolean>
Example: This example does the following:
• Turns off the paper grid.
• Makes the paper size CUSTOM1.
• Makes the dimensions for CUSTOM1 to be 4 by 5 inches.
$!PAPER
SHOWGRID = NO
PAPERSIZE = CUSTOM1
PAPERSIZEINFO
{
CUSTOM1
{
WIDTH = 4
HEIGHT = 5
}
}

$!PAUSE
Syntax: $!PAUSE <string>
[no parameters]
Description: Stop execution of a macro and optionally display a dialog with a message. If <string> is
set to "" then no dialog is displayed and the user must click in the work area to continue.
Example: Pause and display the message This is the first example plot:
$!PAUSE "This is the first example plot."

170
 $!PICK [Required-Control Option]

$!PICK [Required-Control Option]

Description: The different commands in the PICK compound function family are described separately
in the following sections.
The PICK compound functions are:
$!PICK ADD
$!PICK ADDALL
$!PICK ADDALLINRECT
$!PICK CLEAR
$!PICK COPY
$!PICK CUT
$!PICK EDIT
$!PICK MAGNIFY
$!PICK PASTE
$!PICK POP
$!PICK PUSH
$!PICK SETMOUSEMODE
$!PICK SHIFT

$!PICK ADD
Syntax: $!PICK ADD
X = <dexp>
Y = <dexp>
[optional parameters]
Description: Attempt to pick an object at a specific location on the paper.
Required Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Notes

X = <dexp> X-location (in inches) relative to the left edge of the
paper.
Y = <dexp> Y-location (in inches) relative to the top edge of the
paper.
Optional Parameters

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

COLLECTINGOBJECTS = <boolean> FALSE If FALSE, the list of picked objects is cleared before
the attempt is made to add a new object.
CONSIDERSTYLE = <boolean> FALSE

171
 Parameters Syntax Default Notes
DIGGINGFOROBJECTS = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, attempt to pick objects below any currently
picked objects at this location.
IGNOREZONEOBJECTS = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, pick operations will ignore zones and pick
objects such as slices, iso-surfaces and streamtraces.
Example: Attempt to add to the list of picked objects by picking at paper location (1.0, 7.0). Do not
clear the list of picked objects before picking:
$!PICK ADD
X = 1.0
Y = 7.0
COLLECTINGOBJECTS = TRUE

$!PICK ADDALL
Syntax: $!PICK ADDALL
[optional parameters]
Description: Add all objects of a certain type to the list of picked objects.
Optional Parameters

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

SELECTTEXT = <boolean> FALSE Select all text objects in the current frame.
SELECTGEOMS = <boolean> FALSE Select all geometry objects in the current frame.
SELECTFRAMES = <boolean> FALSE Select all frames.
SELECTSTREAMTRACES = <boolean> FALSE Select all streamtrace objects in the current frame.
SELECTMAPS = <boolean> FALSE Select all line map objects in the current frame.
SELECTZONES = <boolean> FALSE Select all zone objects in the current frame.
Example: Add all text and geometries in the current frame to the list of picked objects:
$!PICK ADDALL
SELECTTEXT = TRUE
SELECTGEOMS = TRUE

$!PICK ADDALLINRECT
Syntax: $!PICK ADDALLINRECT
X1 = <dexp>
Y1 = <dexp>
X2 = <dexp>
Y2 = <dexp>
[optional parameters]

172
 $!PICK ADDALLINRECT

Description: Add objects defined within a specified region to the list of picked objects. The region is
defined in terms of the paper coordinate system. Optional filters can be used to restrict the
objects selected. The region is defined by the two corner points (X1, Y1) and (X2, Y2).
Required Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Notes

X1 = <dexp> X-location (in inches) relative to the left edge of the paper.
Y1 = <dexp> Y-location (in inches) relative to the top edge of the paper.
X2 = <dexp> X-location (in inches) relative to the left edge of the paper.
Y2 = <dexp> Y-location (in inches) relative to the top edge of the paper.
Optional Parameters

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

COLORFILTER = <color> Not used.a Only objects of this color will be selected.
FONTFILTER = <font> Not used.a Only text objects with this font will be selected.
GEOMFILTER = <geomtype> Not used.a Only geometry objects of this type will be
selected.
LINEPATTERNFILTER = <linepattern> Not used.a Only geometry objects with this line pattern will
be selected.
SELECTCONTOURLABELS = <boolean> FALSE Select all contour labels in specified region
SELECTFRAMES = <boolean> FALSE Select all frame objects in the specified region.
SELECTGEOMS = <boolean> FALSE Select all geometry objects in the specified
region.
SELECTGRIDAREA = <boolean> FALSE Select the grid area in specified region
SELECTMAPS = <boolean> FALSE Select all line map objects in the specified
region.
SELECTSTREAMTRACES = <boolean> FALSE Select all streamtrace objects in the specified
region.
SELECTTEXT = <boolean> FALSE Select all text objects in the specified region.
SELECTZONES = <boolean> FALSE Select all zone objects in the specified region.

a. There is no default for this parameter. If this parameter is omitted then the corresponding filter is not
used.
Example: Pick all circles using a dashed line pattern within the rectangle bounded by the points (0,
0) and (3, 5):
$!PICK ADDALLINRECT
SELECTGEOMS = TRUE
LINEPATTERNFILTER= DASHED
GEOMFILTER = CIRCLE
X1 = 0
Y1 = 0
X2 = 3
Y2 = 5

173
 $!PICK CLEAR
Syntax: $!PICK CLEAR
[no parameters]
Description: Delete all objects that are currently picked. (These objects cannot be retrieved.)
Example: $!PICK CLEAR

$!PICK COPY
Syntax: $!PICK COPY
[no parameters]
Description: Copy all objects that are currently picked to the paste buffer.
Example: $!PICK COPY

$!PICK CUT
Syntax: $!PICK CUT
[no parameters]
Description: Copy all objects that are currently picked to the paste buffer and then delete them.
Example: $!PICK CUT

$!PICK EDIT
Syntax: $!PICK EDIT
[parameters]
Description: Perform a global edit operation on the currently picked objects. Only one edit operation is
allowed per $!PICK EDIT command. Objects are edited only if the supplied parameter
is relevant. Actions taken using the Quick Edit dialog in Tecplot generate these
commands.
Parameters: Must select one from this table.

Parameters Syntax Notes

ARROWHEADANGLE = <dexp> Angle is in degrees.
ARROWHEADATTACHMENT = <arrowheadattachment>
ARROWHEADSIZE = <dexp> Value is in Y-frame units (0-100).
ARROWHEADSTYLE <arrowheadstyle>

174
 $!PICK EDIT

Parameters Syntax Notes

ASCIICHAR = <string>
BARCHARTS Only operates on XY line mapping objects.
{
SHOW = <boolean>
ISFILLED = <boolean>
}
COLOR = <color>
CONTOUR Only operates on 2- or 3-D zone objects.
{
SHOW = <boolean>
CONTOURTYPE = <contourtype>
}
CURVES Only operates on XY line mapping objects.
{
CURVETYPE = <curvetype>
}
EDGELAYER Only operates on 2- or 3-D zone objects.
{
SHOW = <boolean>
SUBBOUNDARY = <subboundary>
}
ERRORBARS Only operates on XY line mapping objects.
{
SHOW = <boolean>
BARTYPE = <errorbartype>
}
FILLCOLOR = <color>
FONT = <font>
GEOMSHAPE = <geomshape> Applies only to scatter symbols or XY-plot symbols.
LINEPATTERN = <linepattern>
LINES Only operates on XY line mapping objects.
{
SHOW = <boolean>
}
LINETHICKNESS = <dexp> Value is in Y-frame units (0-100).
MESH Only operates on 2- or 3-D zone objects.
{
SHOW = <boolean>
MESHTYPE = <meshtype> Only operates on 2- or 3-D zone objects.
}
OBJECTALIGN = <objectalign> Only allowed if selected objects are all text and/or
geometries.
PATTERNLENGTH = <dexp> Value is in Y-frame units (0-100).
SCATTER Only operates on 2- or 3-D zone objects.
{
SHOW = <boolean>
FILLMODE = <fillmode>
}

175
 Parameters Syntax Notes
SHADE Only operates on 2- or 3-D zone objects.
{
SHOW = <boolean>
SHADETYPE = <shadetype>
}
SHOWBORDER = <boolean> Only operates on frame objects.
SIZE = <dexp> Value is in Y-frame units. This applies to things like
symbols.
SYMBOLS Only operates on line mapping objects.
{
SHOW = <boolean>
ISFILLED = <boolean>
}
TEXTCOLOR = <color>
TEXTHEIGHTBYPERCENT = <dexp> Value is in Y-frame units (0-100).
TEXTHEIGHTBYPOINTS = <dexp> Value is in points.
VECTOR Only operates on 2- or 3-D zone objects.
{
SHOW = <boolean>
VECTORTYPE = <vectortype>
}
Examples:
Example 1: Set all picked objects to use the color yellow:
$!PICK EDIT
COLOR = YELLOW

Example 2: Set all picked objects to use the dashed line pattern:
$!PICK EDIT
LINEPATTERN = DASHED

Example 3: Set all picked objects (which are zones) to use the contour plot type of flooding:
$!PICK EDIT
CONTOUR {CONTOURTYPE = FLOOD}

$!PICK MAGNIFY
Syntax: $!PICK MAGNIFY
MAG = <dexp>
Description: Magnify all picked objects. The objects will also be translated proportional to the
distance between their anchor position and the anchor position of the first object picked.

176
 $!PICK PASTE

Example: Magnify all objects by 1.5:

$!PICK MAGNIFY
MAG = 1.5

$!PICK PASTE
Syntax: $!PICK PASTE
[no parameters]
Description: Paste the currently picked objects from the paste buffer to the work area.
Example: $!PICK PASTE

$!PICK POP
Syntax: $!PICK POP
[no parameters]
Description: Change the order in which objects are drawn by popping the currently picked objects to
the front. Only frames, text, geometries, and the grid area for 2-D plots are allowed.
Example: $!PICK POP

$!PICK PUSH
Syntax: $!PICK PUSH
[no parameters]
Description: Change the order in which objects are drawn by pushing the currently picked objects
back. Only frames, text, geometries, and the grid area for 2-D plots are allowed.
Example: $!PICK PUSH

$!PICK SETMOUSEMODE
Syntax: $!PICK SETMOUSEMODE
MOUSEMODE = <mousemode>
Description: Prepare to pick objects by setting the mouse mode to SELECT or
ADJUST. This command also clears the list of picked objects (that is, unpicks all picked
objects).

177
 Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

MOUSEMODE = <mousemode> Set to SELECT or ADJUST.
Example: Set the mouse mode so picked objects are adjusted:
$!PICK SETMOUSEMODE
MOUSEMODE = ADJUST

$!PICK SHIFT
Syntax: $!PICK SHIFT
X = <dexp>
Y = <dexp>
[optional parameters]
Description: Shift the currently picked objects. Objects are shifted relative to their starting position. X
and Y shift amounts are in paper units (inches). If snapping is in effect then it is applied
after shifting in X and Y. (See the SetValue commands $!GLOBALFRAME
SNAPTOGRID and $!GLOBALFRAME SNAPTOPAPER.)
Required Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Notes

X = <dexp> Shift amount in the X-direction. Units are inches.
Y = <dexp> Shift amount in the Y-direction. Units are inches.
Optional Parameter:

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

POINTERSTYLE = <pointerstyle> ALLDIRECTIONS Only frames and non-3-D grid area objects can
use a pointer style that is not ALLDIRECTIONS.
Example: Shift the currently picked objects 1 inch to the right and 2 inches down:
$!PICK SHIFT
X = 1
Y = 2

$!PLOTTYPE
Syntax: $!PLOTTYPE = <plottype>
[no parameters]
Description: Changes plot types between valid Tecplot modes such as XYLine and Cartesian2D. Valid

178
 $!POLARAXIS

options shown below.

Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

PLOTTYPE = <plottype>
Example: Change the plot style to show a polar plot
$!PLOTTYPE = POLARLINE

$!POLARAXIS
Syntax: $!POLARAXIS
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that assigns attributes for axes in a polar frame.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

GRIDAREA <<areastyle>>
PRECISEGRID <<precisegrid>>
PRESERVEAXISSCALE <boolean>
RDETAIL <<axisdetail>>
THETADETAIL <<axisdetail>>
THETAMODE = <thetamode>
THETAPERIOD = <double>
VIEWPORTPOSITION <<rect>>
VIEWPORTSTYLE <<areastyle>>
Example: Set the Theta range, in Radians, from Pi to -Pi.
$!POLARAXIS THETAMODE = RADIANS
$!POLARAXIS THETAPERIOD = 6.28318530718
$!POLARAXIS THETADETAIL{VALUEATORIGIN = 0}
$!POLARAXIS THETADETAIL{RANGEMIN = -3.14159265359}

$!POLARTORECTANGULAR
Syntax: $!POLARTORECTANGULAR <set>
[no parameters]
Description: Treat the variables currently assigned to X and Y as referring to R and θ and convert
them to X and Y. In 3-D, X, Y and Z refer to R, θ, and ψ. Tecplot has addition
capabilities for transforming coordinates, please see

179
 $!TRANSFORMCOORDINATES.
Example: Convert zones 1, 2 and 3 from polar to rectangular:
$!POLARTORECTANGULAR [1-3]

$!POLARVIEW
Syntax: $!POLARVIEW
[optional parameters]
Description: Sets the viewing style for polar plots in a layout.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

EXTENTS <<rect>> View extents of transformed X & Y in polar plots. Numbers
listed are in the form of grid units.
Example: Set the view of the polar plot to view the full
extents of the plot area.
$!POLARVIEW
EXTENTS
{
X1=10
Y1=10
X2=90
Y2=90
}

$!PRINT
Syntax: $!PRINT
[no parameters]
Description: Print the current layout to a printer or send the print instructions to a file. Use the
$!PRINTSETUP SetValue command to configure printing.
Example: $!PRINT

180
 $!PRINTSETUP

$!PRINTSETUP
Syntax: $!PRINTSETUP
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that sets the attributes for printing. Use $!PRINT to do the actual
printing. See $!EXPORTSETUP and $!EXPORT if you intend to create image files
destined for desktop publishing programs.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

DRIVER = <printerdriver> Only applies if using the Tecplot
printer drivers. See $!INTERFACE
USETECPLOTPRINTDRIVERS.
FORCEEXTRA3DSORTING = <boolean>
JOBCONTROL These strings contain characters to be
{ sent at the beginning and ending of a
POSTMOPUPSTR = <string> print file. These strings most often
contain escape sequences used to
LGMOPUPSTR = <string> switch modes on the printer. Non-
POSTSETUPSTR = <string> printable characters can be inserted.
LGSETUPSTR = <string> Use ^nnn to insert a character with
} ordinal value nnn. Use \ to force the
character after the \ to be inserted.
Use $B for a Backspace, $E for Esc,
$C for a carriage return, and $X for
the Delete key.
IMAGERESOLUTION = <integer>
NUMHARDCOPYCOPIES <op> <integer> Applies only when DRIVER = PS.
NUMLIGHTSOURCESHADES = <integer>
PALETTE = <palette> Must choose options valid for current
DRIVER setting.
PRECISION <op> <integer> Applies only if EXPORTFORMAT is
PS, EPS, or RASTERMETAFILE.
PRINTFNAME = <string> Name of the file to write to if
SENDPRINTTOFILE is TRUE.
PRINTRENDERTYPE = <printrendertype>
RGBLEGENDOUTPUTRESOLUTION = <integer> 50 Determines the number of triangles
which compose the bottom layer of
the RGB Legend. This option is only
available through macro language (for
example, the config file)
SENDPRINTTOFILE = <boolean> If TRUE then PRINTFNAME is name
of file to write to.

181
 Parameter Syntax Default Notes
SPOOLER These strings contain the system
{ command needed to send a file to the
print spooler on your computer. Use
PSMONOSPOOLCMD = <string> the @ symbol as a place holder for
PSCOLORSPOOLCMD = <string> where you normally insert the name
LGSPOOLCMD = <string> of the file to be printed.
} For security reasons these commands
can only be used in the Tecplot
configuration file.
USEISOLATIN1FONTS-INPS = <boolean> Use extended ISO-Latin1 fonts when
generating PostScript output using
Tecplot’s internal PostScript driver.
Example: This example does the following:
• Instruct Tecplot to send print output to the print spooler.
• Sets the spooler command for monochrome PostScript to be lpr @.
• Sets the print driver to be monochrome PostScript.
$!PRINTSETUP
SENDPRINTTOFILE = FALSE
DRIVER = PS
PALETTE = MONOCHROME
SPOOLER
{
PSMONOSPOOLCMD = "lpr @"
}

$!PROMPTFORFILENAME
Syntax: $!PROMPTFORFILENAME <macrovar>
DIALOGTITLE = <string>
DEFAULTFNAME = <string>
FILEFILTER = <string>
Description: Instruct Tecplot to launch a file selection dialog. The resulting file name will be placed in
<macrovar>. If the user cancels out of the dialog then <macrovar> will be empty (see
the example below).
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

DIALOGTITLE = <string> Null Include a title at the top of the dialog.
DEFAULTFNAME = <string> Null Make the dialog come up with a default
file name.

182
 $!PROMPTFORTEXTSTRING

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

FILEFILTER = <string> Null Set the filter for the file selection dialog.
FILEMUSTEXIST = <string> TRUE
Example: Prompt the user for the name of a file to delete:
$!PROMPTFORFILENAME|filetodelete|
DIALOGTITLE = "Delete File"
FILEFILTER = "*.*"
$!IF "|filetodelete|" != ""
$!IF |OPSys| = 1 # UNIX
$!System "rm |filetodelete|"
$!Endif
$!IF |OPSys| = 2 # DOS
$!System "del |filetodelete|"
$!Endif
$!Endif

$!PROMPTFORTEXTSTRING
Syntax: $!PROMPTFORTEXTSTRING <macrovar>
INSTRUCTIONS = <string>
Description: Instruct Tecplot to launch a dialog containing a single line text field and optional
instructions. The user enters text into the text field and the resulting string is assigned to
<macrovar>.
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

INSTRUCTIONS = <string> Null Include text at the top of the dialog to instruct the
user regarding the value to enter. In Windows, this
is limited to three lines of text.
Example: $!PROMPTFORTEXTSTRING |timestring|
INSTRUCTIONS = "Enter the time of the experiment"

$!PROMPTFORYESNO
Syntax: $!PROMPTFORYESNO <macrovar>

183
 INSTRUCTIONS = <string>
Description: Instruct Tecplot to launch a dialog containing two buttons, one labeled Yes and the other
No. The <macrovar> is assigned the string Yes or No depending on the selection.
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

INSTRUCTIONS = <string> Null Include text at the top of the dialog with
instructions.

Example: $!PROMPTFORYESNO |goforit|

INSTRUCTIONS = "Do you want to go for it?"

$!IF "|goforit|" == "YES"

... code that goes for it....
$!ENDIF

$!PROPAGATELINKING
Syntax: $!PROPAGATELINKING
[optional parameters]
Description: Link multiple frames, ether within frame or between frames.
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

FRAMECOLLECTION = [ALL, PICKED]
LINKTYPE = [WITHINFRAME,
BETWEENFRAMES]
Example: $!PROPAGATELINKING
LINKTYPE = BETWEENFRAMES
FRAMECOLLECTION = ALL

$!PUBLISH
Syntax: $!PUBLISH <string>
Description: Create an HTML file displaying one or more images. A linked layout with packaged data
may be included. You must provide the file name.

184
 $!QUIT

Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

IMAGESELECTION = <imagestyle> ONEPERFRAME Selecting ONEPERFRAME will
create one image per frame, selecting
WORKSPACEONLY creates one
image which includes all your frames.
INCLUDELAYOUTPACKAGE = <boolean> No Select YES to create a linked layout
file.
Example: $!PUBLISH "C:\TEC360\separate.html"
INCLUDELAYOUTPACKAGE = NO
IMAGESELECTION = ONEPERFRAME

$!QUIT
Syntax: $!QUIT
Description: Terminate the execution of the Tecplot program.
Example: $!QUIT

$!RAWCOLORMAP
Syntax: $!RAWCOLORMAP
<colormaprawdata>
Description: Assign the RGB values that define the Raw user-defined color map. This does not set the
color map to use the Raw user-defined color map. Use $!COLORMAP to set the current
color map.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

<colormaprawdata> This is a list of RGB values.
Example: Assign the Raw user-defined color map to a gray scale using 11 colors:

$!RAWCOLORMAP
RAWDATA
11
0 0 0
25 25 25
50 50 50
75 75 75

185
 100100 100
125125 125
150150 150
175175 175
200200 200
225225 225
255255 255

$!READDATASET
Syntax: $!READDATASET <string>
[optional parameters]
Description: Read one or more data files into Tecplot to form a new data set.
Optional Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

ADDZONETOEXISTINGSTRANDS = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, Tecplot will add the
zones from the appended data to
any existing strands in the
dataset. If FALSE, Tecplot will
append the strands from the
appended data to any existing
strands in the dataset.
ASSIGNSTRANDID = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, Tecplot will assign
strand ID's to zones if time is
supplied for the zones but
strand ID's are not. If FALSE,
Tecplot will not associate these
zones with any strands.
IJKSKIP Use values greater than 1 to
{ skip data points.
I = <integer> 1
J = <integer> 1
K = <integer> 1
}
COLLAPSEZONESANDVARS = <boolean> FALSE Renumber zones and variables
if zones or variables are
disabled.
DATASETREADER = <string> Used to specify an alternate
data reader for Tecplot.
INCLUDECUSTOMLABELS = <boolean> TRUE Set to TRUE to load in any
custom labels in the data files.
INCLUDEDATA = <boolean> TRUE Set to TRUE to load in any field
data in the data files.
INCLUDEGEOM = <boolean> TRUE Set to TRUE to load in any
geometries in the data files.
INCLUDETEXT = <boolean> TRUE Set to TRUE to load in any text
in the data files.

186
 $!READDATASET

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

INITIALPLOTFIRSTZONEONLY = <boolean> Allows faster performance for
files with multiple zones.
INITIALPLOTTYPE = <plottype>
READDATAOPTION = <readdataoption> NEW Set to APPEND to append the
new zones to the zones in the
data set that existed prior to
using this command. Set to
NEW to remove the data set
from the current frame prior to
reading in the new data set. If
other frames use the same data
set they will continue to use the
old one. Set to REPLACE to
replace the data set attached to
the current frame and to all
other frames that use the same
data set, with the new data set.
RESETSTYLE = <boolean> TRUE Set to FALSE if you want
Tecplot to keep the current
style. This only applies if
READDATA OPTION is not
APPEND.
VARLOADMODE = <varloadmode> BYPOSITION Set to BYPOSITION to load
variables based on their position
in the file. Set to BYNAME to
load variables based on their
name. If set to BYNAME, then
VARNAMELIST must be
supplied as well.
VARNAMELIST = <string> Use this to list the names of the
variables to load into Tecplot.
Names separated by a ; or a +
are joined together to form a set
of aliases for a given variable.
VARPOSITIONLIST = <set> All vars. Use this to reduce the number
of variables loaded.
ZONELIST = <set> All zones. Use this to reduce the number
of zones loaded.
Examples:
Example 1: Read in the data files t1.plt and t2.plt to form a single data set in Tecplot:
$!READDATASET "t1.plt t2.plt"

Example 2: Read in the datafile t1.plt. Only read in zones 1 and 4. Skip over every other I-index:
$!READDATASET "t1.plt"
ZONELIST = [1,4]
IJKSKIP
{
I = 2
}

187
 Example 3: Read in the data files t1.plt, t2.plt, and t3.plt. Append the new data set to the
current one:
$!READDATASET "t1.plt t2.plt t3.plt"
READDATAOPTION = APPEND

Example 4: Read in the data files t1.plt and t2.plt from directory
/users/john/testrun7/runb:
$!VARSET |BASEDIR| = "/users/john/testrun7/runb"
$!READDATASET "|basedir|/t1.plt |basedir|/t2.plt"

$!READSTYLESHEET
Syntax: $!READSTYLESHEET <string>
[optional parameters]
Description: Read in a stylesheet file. The <string> is the name of the file to read.
Optional Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

INCLUDEAUXDATA = <boolean> TRUE Set to TRUE to read auxiliary data.
INCLUDECONTOURLEVELS = <boolean> TRUE Set to TRUE to read in all contour levels.
INCLUDEFRAMESIZEANDPOSITION = <boolean> FALSE Set to TRUE if you want the current
frame to be sized and positioned exactly
like the frame used to create the
stylesheet.
INCLUDEGEOM = <boolean> TRUE Set to TRUE to load in any geometries in
the stylesheet file.
INCLUDEPLOTSTYLE = <boolean> TRUE Set to TRUE to process commands
related to plot style (mesh color, vector
type, and so on).
INCLUDESTREAMPOSITIONS = <boolean> TRUE Set to TRUE to read in streamtrace
starting positions.
INCLUDETEXT = <boolean> TRUE Set to TRUE to load in any text in the
stylesheet file.
MERGE = <boolean> FALSE Set to FALSE to reset all frame attributes
back to their factory defaults prior to
reading in the stylesheet.
Example: Read the stylesheet file t.sty. Do not read in any text or geometries:
$!READSTYLESHEET "t.sty"
INCLUDETEXT = FALSE
INCLUDEGEOM = FALSE

188
 $!REDRAW

$!REDRAW
Syntax: $!REDRAW
[optional parameters]
Description: Redraw the current frame.
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

DOFULLDRAWING = <boolean> TRUE Set to FALSE to draw only a “trace” of the
data in the frame.
Example: $!REDRAW

$!REDRAWALL
Syntax: $!REDRAWALL
[optional parameters]
Description: Redraw all frames.
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

DOFULLDRAWING = <boolean> TRUE Set to FALSE to draw only a “trace” of the data
in each frame.
Example: $!REDRAWALL

$!REMOVEVAR
Syntax: $!REMOVEVAR <macrouserdefvar>
Description: Remove a user-defined macro variable. This frees up space so another user-defined
macro variable can be defined.
Example: Remove the macro variable |ABC|:
$!REMOVEVAR |ABC|

$!RENAMEDATASETVAR
Syntax: $!RENAMEDATASETVAR
VAR = <integer>

189
 NAME = <string>
[no optional parameters]
Description: Rename a data set variable in Tecplot.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

VAR = <integer> Specify the variable number.
NAME = <string> Specify the new variable name.
Example: Rename variable 1 to be Banana:
$!RENAMEDATASETVAR
VAR = 1
NAME = "Banana"

$!RENAMEDATASETZONE
Syntax: $!RENAMEDATASETZONE
ZONE = <integer>
NAME = <string>
[no optional parameters]
Description: Rename a data set zone in Tecplot.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ZONE = <integer> Specify the zone number.
NAME = <string> Specify the new zone name.
Example: Rename zone 1 to be Banana:

$!RENAMEDATASETZONE
ZONE = 1
NAME = "Banana"

$!RESET3DAXES
Syntax: $!RESET3DAXES
[no parameters]
Description: Reset the ranges on the 3-D axes.
Example: $!RESET3DAXES

190
 $!RESET3DORIGIN

$!RESET3DORIGIN
Syntax: $!RESET3DORIGIN
[optional parameters]
Description: Reposition the rotation origin in 3-D to be at the specified location.
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ORIGINRESETLOCATION = <originresetlocation>
Example: $!RESET3DORIGIN
ORIGINRESETLOCATION = DATACENTER

$!RESET3DSCALEFACTORS
Syntax: $!RESET3DSCALEFACTORS
[no parameters]
Description: Recalculate the scale factors for the 3-D axes. Aspect ratio limits are taken into account.
Example: $!RESET3DSCALEFACTORS

$!RESETVECTORLENGTH
Syntax: $!RESETVECTORLENGTH
[no parameters]
Description: Reset the length of the vectors. Tecplot will find the vector with the largest magnitude
and set the scaling factor so it will appear on the screen using the length specified by
$!FRAMESETUP VECTDEFLEN.
Example: $!RESETVECTORLENGTH

$!ROTATE2DDATA
Syntax: $!ROTATE2DDATA
ANGLE = <dexp>
[optional parameters]
Description: Rotate field data in 2-D about any point.

191
 Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ANGLE = <dexp> Specify angle of rotation in degrees.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

ZONELIST = <set> All zones. Zones to rotate.
X = <dexp> 0 X-origin to rotate about.
Y = <dexp> 0 Y-origin to rotate about.
Example: Rotate zone 3 30 degrees about the point (7, 2):
$!ROTATE2DDATA
ANGLE = 30
ZONELIST = [3]
X = 7
Y = 2

$!ROTATE3DVIEW
Syntax: $!ROTATE3DVIEW <rotateaxis>
ANGLE = <dexp>
[optional parameters]
Description: Do a 3-D rotation about a given axis. The <rotateaxis> must be supplied.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ANGLE = <dexp> Angle to rotate (in degrees).
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ROTATEORIGINLOCATION = <rotateoriginlocation>
VECTORX = <dexp> Required when rotate axis is ABOUTVECTOR.
VECTORY = <dexp> Required when rotate axis is ABOUTVECTOR.
VECTORZ = <dexp> Required when rotate axis is ABOUTVECTOR.
Example: $!ROTATE3DVIEW PSI
ANGLE = 10

192
 $!RUNMACROFUNCTION

$!RUNMACROFUNCTION
Syntax: $!RUNMACROFUNCTION <string> [<macroparameterlist>]
Description: Execute commands defined in a macro function. The <string> references the name of the
macro function to run. If the macro requires parameters, then include them (within
parentheses) after the macro name.
Example: Run macro function XYZ and pass the value 7 as the first parameter and the value 3.5 as
the second parameter:
$!RUNMACROFUNCTION "XYZ" (7,3.5)

$!SAVELAYOUT
Syntax: $!SAVELAYOUT <string>
[optional parameters]
Description: Save the current layout to a file. You must supply the file name.
Optional Parameter:

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

INCLUDEDATA = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, a layout package file will be created. The
extension .lpk is recommended.
INCLUDEPREVIEW = <boolean> TRUE Applies only if INCLUDEDATA is TRUE.
USERELATIVEPATHS = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, all files referenced in the layout file will use
relative paths.
Example: Save the current layout to a file called ex1.lay:
$!SAVELAYOUT "ex1.lay"

$!SET3DEYEDISTANCE
Syntax: $!SET3DEYEDISTANCE
EYEDISTANCE = <dexp>
Description: Sets the distance from the viewer to the plane of the current center of rotation.
Example: $!SET3DEYEDISTANCE
EYEDISTANCE = 13.5

193
 $!SETAUXDATA
Syntax: $!SETAUXDATA
AUXDATALOCATION = [zone/var/dataset/frame/linemap]
NAME = <string>
VALUESTRING = <string>
[optional parameters]
Description: Add Auxiliary Data in the form of name/value pairs to zones, frames or datasets. The
name must begin with an underscore or letter, and may be followed by one or more
underscore, period, letter, or digit characters.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

AUXDATALOCATION = [zone/var/dataset/frame/
linemap]
NAME = <string>
VALUESTRING = <string>

Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

MAP = <integer> Only required if AUXDATALOCATION = linemap
VAR = <integer> Only required if AUXDATALOCATION = var
ZONE = <integer> Only required if AUXDATALOCATION = zone

Example: Set the selected Auxiliary Data to Zone 2.:

$!SETAUXDATA
AUXDATALOCATION = zone
ZONE = 2
NAME = ’VARIABLE.DATA’
VALUESTRING = ’WEST SECTOR’

$!SETDATASETTITLE
Syntax: $!SETDATASETTITLE <string>
[no optional parameters]
Description: Set the title for the current data set.
Example: $!SETDATASETTITLE "My data set"

194
 $!SETFIELDVALUE

$!SETFIELDVALUE
Syntax: $!SETFIELDVALUE
ZONE = <integer>
VAR = <integer>
INDEX = <integer>
FIELDVALUE = <dexp>
AUTOBRANCH = <boolean>
[no optional parameters]
Description: Specify a field value (data set value) at a specified point index. If the zone referenced is
IJ- or IJK-ordered then the point index is calculated by treating the 2- or 3-D array as a 1-
D array.
Required Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Notes

AUTOBRANCH = <boolean> Affects shared variables only. If true, the specified zone will no longer
share that variable with the other zones. If false, the variable will still be
shared, and the change to the variable will be shown for all zones where
it is shared.
FIELDVALUE = <dexp>
INDEX = <integer>
VAR = <integer>
ZONE = <integer>
Example: A data set contains 2 zones and 3 variables. Zone 2 is dimensioned 5 by 3. Set the value
for variable 3 at I-, J-location 2, 2 to be 37.5:
$!SETFIELDVALUE
ZONE = 2
VAR = 3
INDEX = 7
FIELDVALUE = 37.5
AUTOBRANCH = TRUE
Note that the INDEX value was calculated using:
INDEX = I + (J-1)*|MAXI| + (K-1) * |MAXI| * |MAXJ|
= 5*(2-1)+2
= 7

$!SETFRAMEBACKGROUNDCOLOR

Syntax: $!SETFRAMEBACKGROUNDCOLOR <color>

Description. Sets the frame background to the specified color and surveys all basic color assignments

195
 in Tecplot, converting the all basic colors using the following rules to achieve the best
contrast:
1. For all line type basic colors that match the new basic frame color, set the
basic line color to the best show color of the basic frame color.
2. For all fill type basic colors that match the best show color of the new basic
frame color, set the fill color to the new frame color.
Exceptions: 3.
1. For geometries and text boxes if the line and fill colors are the same and filling
is active then both lines and fill follow the fill rules above.
2. For zone, slice, iso-surface, and streamtrace object types the basic color shad-
ing (i.e. fill) only follows the fill rules above if lighting effects are not being
used.

$!SETSTYLEBASE
Syntax: $!SETSTYLEBASE <stylebase>
[no parameters]
Description: Instruct Tecplot on how to initialize frame style values when a new frame is created.
During normal operation, Tecplot bases the style of a new frame on the factory defaults
plus any changes assigned in the Tecplot configuration file. Layout files and stylesheet
files, however, rely on Tecplot basing new frames only on the factory defaults. This
command is typically not used by the casual user.
Example: Set the style base for frames to use the factory defaults:
$!SETSTYLEBASE FACTORY

$!SHARECONNECTIVITY
Syntax: $!SHARECONNECTIVITY
SOURCEZONE = <integer>
DESTINATIONZONE = <integer>
[no optional parameters]
Description: Share the nodemap between the source and destination zones, presuming that the zones
are FE and have the same element type and number of nodes.

196
 $!SHAREFIELDDATAVAR

Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

DESTINATIONZONE = <integer>
SOURCEZONE = <integer>

Example: Shares the connectivity of the second zone with the sixth zone.:
$!SHARECONNECTIVITY
SOURCEZONE = 2
DESTINATIONZONE = 6

$!SHAREFIELDDATAVAR
Syntax: $!SHAREFIELDDATAVAR
SOURCEZONE = <integer>
VAR = <integer>
DESTINATIONZONE = <integer>
[no optional parameters]
Description: Allows sharing of the specified variable from the source zone to the destination zone.
Zone must be of the same type (ordered or FE) and dimensions. Cell centered variables in
FE must have the same number of cells. Sharing is not allowed if either zone has global
face neighbors.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

DESTINATIONZONE = <integer>
SOURCEZONE = <integer>
VAR = <integer>

Example: Shares the third variable from the second zone, with the fifth zone:
$!SHAREFIELDDATAVAR
SOURCEZONE = 2
VAR = 3
DESTINATIONZONE = 5

$!SHIFTLINEMAPSTOBOTTOM
Syntax: $!SHIFTLINEMAPSTOBOTTOM <set>

197
 [no parameters]
Description: Shift a list of Line-mappings to the bottom of the Line-mapping list. This in effect causes
the selected Line-mappings to be drawn last.
Example: Shift Line-mappings 2 and 4 to the bottom:
$!SHIFTLINEMAPSTOBOTTOM [2,4]

$!SHIFTLINEMAPSTOTOP
Syntax: $!SHIFTLINEMAPSTOTOP <set>
[no parameters]
Description: Shift a list of Line-maps to the top of the Line-map list. This in effect causes the selected
Line-maps to be drawn first.
Example: Shift Line-maps 2 and 4 to the top:
$!SHIFTLINEMAPSTOTOP [2,4]

$!SHOWMOUSEPOINTER
Syntax: $!SHOWMOUSEPOINTER <boolean>
[optional parameters]
Description: The mouse icon may be deactivated within a macro to enhance the on-screen animation.
It must be reactivated before exiting the macro.
Example: $!SHOWMOUSEPOINTER NO
$!LOOP 36
$!ROTATE3DVIEW X
ANGLE = 5
$!REDRAW
$!ENDLOOP
$!SHOWMOUSEPOINTER YES

!SKETCHAXIS
Syntax: $!SKETCHAXIS
[optional parameters]

198
 $!SLICEATTRIBUTES

Description: A SetValue command that assigns attributes for axes in a sketch mode frame. Axes are
rarely used in sketch frames.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

AUTOADJUSTRANGESTONICEVALEUS = <boolean>
AXISMODE <axismode> Set to INDEPENDENT or
XYDEPENDENT.
DEPXTOYRATIO <op> <dexp> AXISMODE must be
XYDEPENDENT to use
this.
GRIDAREASTYLE <<gridarea>>
PRECISEGRID <<precisegrid>>
PRESERVEAXISSCALEWHENRANGEISCHANGED = <boolean>
VIEWPORTNICEFITBUFFER = <double>
VIEWPORTPOSITION <<rect>>
VIEWPORTTOPSNAPTARGET = <integer> 100
VIEWPORTTOPSNAPTOLERANCE = <integer> 10
XDETAIL <<axisdetail>>
YDETAIL <<axisdetail>>
Example: Change the axis mode to be INDEPENDENT for sketch mode in the current frame:
$!SKETCHAXIS
AXISMODE = INDEPENDENT

$!SLICEATTRIBUTES
Syntax: $!SLICEATTRIBUTES [<slicegroup>]
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with slices.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CONTOUR
{
SHOW = <boolean>
CONTOURTYPE = <contourtype> CORNERCELL and
AVERAGECELL options not
allowed for CONTOURTYPE.
COLOR = <color>
LINETHICKNESS = <double>
USELIGHTINGEFFECT = <boolean>
FLOODCOLORING = <contourcoloring>
LINECONTOURGROUP = <integer> Group1

199
 Parameter Syntax Default Notes
}
EDGELAYER
{
SHOW = <boolean>
COLOR = <color>
LINETHICKNESS = <op><double>
}
ENDPOSITION
{
X = <double>
Y = <double>
Z = <double>
I = <integer>
J = <integer>
K = <integer>
}
MESH
{
SHOW = <boolean>
COLOR = <color>
LINETHICKNESS = <double>
}
NUMINTERMEDIATESLICES = <integer>
OBEYSOURCEBLANKING = <boolean>
PRIMARYPOSITION
{
X = <double>
Y = <double>
Z = <double>
I = <integer>
J = <integer>
K = <integer>
}
SHADE
{
SHOW = <boolean>
COLOR = <color>
USELIGHTINGEFFECT = <boolean>
}
SHOWGROUP = <boolean>
SHOWINTERMEDIATESLICES = <boolean>
SHOWPRIMARYSLICE = <boolean>
SHOWSTARTENDSLICE = <boolean>
SLICESURFACE = <slicesurface>
STARTPOSITION
{
X = <double>
Y = <double>

200
 $!SLICELAYERS

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

Z = <double>
I = <integer>
J = <integer>
K = <integer>
}
SURFACEEFFECTS
{
LIGHTINGEFFECT =<lightingeffect>
SURFACETRANSLUCENCY = <translucency>
USETRANSLUCENCY = <boolean>
}
VECTOR
{
SHOW = <boolean>
COLOR = <color>
ISTANGENT = <boolean>
LINETHICKNESS = <double>
VECTORTYPE = <vectortype>
ARROWHEADSTYLE <arrowheadstyle>
}
Example: $!GLOBALCONTOUR VAR = 4
$!SLICEATTRIBUTES ENDPOSITION {X = 1}
$!SLICEATTRIBUTES STARTPOSITION {X = 6}
$!SLICEATTRIBUTES NUMITERMEDIATESLICES = 6
$!SLICEATTRIBUTES SHOWBEGINENDSLICE = YES
$!SLICEATTRIBUTES SHOWINTERMEDIATESLICES = YES
$!REDRAW
$!CREATESLICEZONES

$!SLICELAYERS
Syntax: $!SLICELAYERS

Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

SHOW <boolean>

$!SMOOTH
Syntax: $!SMOOTH
ZONE = <set>
VAR = <set>

201
 [optional parameters]
Description: Smooth data (reduce the spikes) for selected variables in selected zones.
Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ZONE = <set> Zones to smooth.
VAR = <set> Variables to smooth. These cannot be X or Y if in 2-D or Z if in 3-D and they must be
a dependent variable in XY-plots.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default

NUMSMOOTHPASSES = <integer> 1
SMOOTHWEIGHT = <dexp> 0.8
SMOOTHBNDRYCOND = <boundarycondition> FIXED
Example: Smooth variables 3 and 4 in zone 2:
$!SMOOTH
ZONE = [2]
VAR = [3,4]

$!STREAMATTRIBUTES
Syntax: $!STREAMATTRIBUTES
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with streamtraces.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ADDARROWS = <boolean>
ARROWHEADSIZE <op> <dexp>
ARROWHEADSPACING <op> <double> Distance between arrowheads in frame
units.
CELLFRACTION <op> <dexp> Maximum fraction of the distance across
a cell a streamtrace moves in one step. A
streamtrace adjusts its step-size between
CELLFRACTION and
MINCELLFRACTION depending on
local curvature of the streamtrace.
COLOR = <color>
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
MAXSTEPS <op> <integer>
MINCELLFRACTION <op> <dexp> Minimum fraction of the distance across
a cell a streamtrace moves in one step.

202
 $!STREAMATTRIBUTES

Parameter Syntax Notes

OBEYSOURCEZONEBLANKING = <boolean>
RODRIBBON
{
WIDTH <op><dexp> Value is grid units.
NUMRODPOINTS <op> <integer> Number of points used to define the
streamrod cross-section.
MESH
{
SHOW = <boolean>
COLOR = <color>
LINETHICKNESS <op><dexp>
}
CONTOUR
{
SHOW = <boolean>
USELIGHTINGEFFECT = <boolean>
FLOODCOLORING = <contourcoloring>
}
SHADE
{
SHOW = <boolean>
COLOR = <color>
USELIGHTINGEFFECT = <boolean>
}
SURFACEEFFECT
{
LIGHTINGEFFECT = <lightingeffect>
SURFACETRANSLUCENCY = <translucency>
USETRANSLUCENCY = <boolean>
}
}
SHOW = <boolean>
STREAMTIMING
{
SHOWDASHES = <boolean>
SHOWMARKERS = <boolean>
MARKCOLOR = <color>
MARKSIZE <op> <dexp>
DASHSKIP <op> <integer>
MARKSYMBOL <<symbolshape>>
TIMESTART = <double>
TIMEEND = <double>
TIMEANCHOR = <double>
TIMEDELTA = <double>
}
TERMLINE
{
ISACTIVE = <boolean>

203
 Parameter Syntax Notes
SHOW = <boolean>
COLOR = <color>
LINEPATTERN = <linepattern>
PATTERNLENGTH <op> <dexp>
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
}

$!STREAMTRACE [Required-Control Option]

Description: The different commands in the STREAMTRACE compound function family are
described separately in the following sections.
The STREAMTRACE compound function family is:
$!STREAMTRACE ADD
$!STREAMTRACE DELETALL
$!STREAMTRACE DELETERANGE
$!STREAMTRACE RESETDELTATIME
$!STREAMTRACE SETTERMINATIONLINE

$!STREAMTRACE ADD
Syntax: $!STREAMTRACE ADD
[optional parameters]
Description: Add a single streamtrace or a rake of streamtraces to the current frame. The frame must
be a 2-D or 3-D field plot.
Optional Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

ALTSTARTPOS This is required if NUMPTS is greater than 1 or if
{ the streamtype is a volume rod or volume ribbon.
X = <dexp> 0.0
Y = <dexp> 0.0
Z = <dexp> 0.0
}
DIRECTION = <streamdirection> FORWARD
NUMPTS = <integer> 1 Use 1 to add a single streamtrace. Use n, n>1 for
a rake of streamtraces.

204
 $!STREAMTRACE ADD

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

STARTPOS Z is necessary only if dealing with a 3-D
{ streamtrace.
X = <dexp> 0.0
Y = <dexp> 0.0
Z = <dexp> 0.0
}
STREAMTYPE = <streamtype> a

a. Tecplot determines the default streamtype based on a number of factors. It is best to always supply this
parameter.

Example 1: Add a rake of 5 streamtraces in a 2-D field plot:

$!STREAMTRACE ADD
NUMPTS = 5
STREAMTYPE = TWODLINE
STARTPOS
{
X = 0.5
Y = 0.5
}
ALTSTARTPOS
{
X = 0.5
Y = 1.5
}

Example 2: Add a single volume ribbon. Start the ribbon oriented parallel to the Z-axis:
$!STREAMTRACE ADD
STREAMTYPE = VOLUMERIBBON
STARTPOS
{
X = 3.0
Y = 4.0
Z = 1.0
}
ALTSTARTPOS
{
X = 3.0
Y = 4.0
Z = 8.0
}

205
 $!STREAMTRACE DELETEALL
Syntax: $!STREAMTRACE DELETEALL
[no parameters]
Description: Deletes all streamtraces in the current frame. If the frame mode is 2-D, all 2-D
streamtraces are deleted. If the frame mode is 3-D, all 3-D streamtraces are deleted.
Example: $!STREAMTRACE DELETEALL

$!STREAMTRACE DELETERANGE
Syntax: $!STREAMTRACE DELETERANGE
[optional parameters]
Description: Delete a range of streamtraces. Streamtraces are numbered sequentially in the order they
were created.
Optional Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Default

RANGESTART = <integer> 1
RANGEEND = <integer> 1
Example: Delete streamtraces 3-5:
$!STREAMTRACE DELETERANGE
RANGESTART = 3
RANGEEND = 5

$!STREAMTRACE RESETDELTATIME
Syntax: $!STREAMTRACE RESETDELTATIME
[no parameters]
Description: Reset the time delta for dashed streamtraces. The delta time is reset such that a stream
dash in the vicinity of the maximum vector magnitude will have a length approximately
equal to 10 percent of the frame width.
Example: $!STREAMTRACE RESETDELTATIME

$!STREAMTRACE SETTERMINATIONLINE
Syntax: $!STREAMTRACE SETTERMINATIONLINE

206
 $!STREAMTRACELAYERS

<xyrawdata>
Description: Set the position of the termination line for streamtraces.
Required Parameter:

Parameters Notes
<xyrawdata> In 3-D, the termination line is defined in the eye coordinate
system.
Example: Set the termination line using 3 points:
$!STREAMTRACE SETTERMINATIONLINE
RAWDATA
3
4.07.0
5.09.0
5.03.0

$!STREAMTRACELAYERS
Syntax: $!STREAMTRACELAYERS

Required Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

SHOW <boolean>

$!SYSTEM
Syntax: $!SYSTEM <string>
[optional parameters]
Description: Instruct Tecplot to submit a command to the operating system. For security reasons,
execution of the $!SYSTEM command can be disabled to prevent unauthorized
execution of system commands via macros. Use the
OKTOEXECUTESYSTEMCOMMAND option to the $!INTERFACE macro
command.
Example: Submit the system command to copy the file t7.plt to xxx.plt (UNIX):
$!SYSTEM "cp t7.plt xxx.plt"

207
 Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

WAIT = <boolean> TRUE If TRUE, Tecplot will wait until the execution of the system
command has completed before continuing.

$!THREEDAXIS
Syntax: $!THREEDAXIS
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that assigns attributes for axes in a 3-D frame.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ASPECTRATIOLIMIT <op> <dexp> Restrict the aspect ratio of the data.
ASPECTRATIORESET <op> <dexp> Set aspect ratio for the data to this value
when
ASPECTRATIOLIMIT is exceeded.
AXISMODE <axismode> Set to INDEPENDENT,
XYDEPENDENT, or
XYZDEPENDENT.
BOXASPECTRATIOLIMIT <op> <dexp> Restrict the aspect ratio of the axis box.
BOXASPECTRATIORESET <op> <dexp> Set aspect ratio for the axis box to this
value when ASPECTRATIOLIMIT is
exceeded.
DEPXTOYRATIO <op> <dexp> AXISMODE must be DEPENDENT to
use this.
DEPXTOZRATIO <op> <dexp> AXISMODE must be DEPENDENT to
use this.
EDGEAUTORESET = <boolean> Make Tecplot automatically choose
edges to label.
FRAMEAXIS
{
SHOW = <boolean>
SIZE <op> <dexp>
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
COLOR = <color>
XYPOS <<xy>>
}
GRIDAREA <<gridarea>>
PRESERVEAXISSCALEWHENRANGEISCHANGED = <boolean>
XDETAIL <<axisdetail>>
XYDEPXTOYRATIO <op> <dexp> AXISMODE must be XYDEPENDENT
to use this.
YDETAIL <<axisdetail>>
ZDETAIL <<axisdetail>>
Example: This example does the following:

208
 $!THREEDVIEW

• Changes the variable assigned to the Z-axis to be variable number 2.

• Turns off auto edge assignment and make axis labeling for the Y-axis occur
on edge 2.
$!THREEDAXIS
ZVAR = 2
EDGEAUTORESET = FALSE
YEDGE = 2

$!THREEDVIEW
Syntax: $!THREEDVIEW
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that changes global attributes associated with the 3-D view.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ALPHAANGLE <op> <dexp> Angle is in degrees.
DRAWINPERSPECTIVE = <boolean>
FIELDOFVIEW <op> <dexp>
PSIANGLE <op> <dexp> Angle is in degrees.
THETAANGLE <op> <dexp> Angle is in degrees.
VIEWERPOSITION <<xyz>>
VIEWWIDTH <op> <dexp>
Example: This example does the following:
• Switches to perspective.
• Changes the field of view.
• Rotates around psi by 20 degrees.
• Changes the viewer position.
$!THREEDVIEW
DRAWNINPERSPECTIVE = YES
FIELDOFVIEW = 100
PSIANGLE += 20
VIEWERPOSITION
{
X = 1.26
Y = 1.25
Z = 0.74
}

209
 $!TRANSFORMCOORDINATES
Syntax: $!TRANSFORMCOORDINATES
TRANSFORMATION = <transformation>
[optional parameters]
Description: Transforms all points in one or more zones from one coordinate system to another.
Required Parameter

Parameters Syntax Notes

TRANSFORMATION = <transformation> Transformation.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

ANGLESPEC <anglespec> RADIANS Specifies whether data is in degrees or
radians
CREATENEWVARIABLES = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, then new variables X,Y,Z will be
created if converting to rectangular
coordinates, or R,THETA,PHI if converting
to spherical. If FALSE, then you must specify
the output variables.
PSIVAR = <integer> PSI variable number. REQUIRED if the
transformation is spherical to rectangular or if
CREATENEWVARIABLES is FALSE.
RVAR = <integer> R variable number. REQUIRED if the
transformation is polar to rectangular or
spherical to rectangular or if
CREATENEWVARIABLES is FALSE.
THETAVAR = <integer> NONE Theta variable number. REQUIRED if the
transformation is polar to rectangular or
spherical to rectangular or if
CREATENEWVARIABLES is FALSE.
XVAR = <integer> X variable number. REQUIRED if the
transformation is rectangular to polar or
rectangular to spherical or
CREATENEWVARIABLES is FALSE.
YVAR = <integer> Y variable number. REQUIRED if the
transformation is rectangular to polar or
rectangular to spherical or
CREATENEWVARIABLES is FALSE.
ZONELIST = <set> all zones Set if zones to operate on.
ZVAR = <integer> Z variable number. REQUIRED if the
transformation or rectangular to spherical or
CREATENEWVARIABLES is FALSE.
Example: Transform data from rectangular coordinates to polar coordinates specifying angles in
degrees and creating new variables.
$!TRANSFORMCOORDINATES
TRANSFORMATION = RECTTOPOLAR
ANGLESPEC = DEGREES

210
 $!TRIANGULATE

CREATENEWVARIABLES = YES
XVAR = 2
YVAR = 3

$!TRIANGULATE
Syntax: $!TRIANGULATE
[optional parameters]
Description: Create a new zone by forming triangles from data points in existing zones.
Optional Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

BOUNDARYZONES = <set> Required if USEBOUNDARY is TRUE.
INCLUDEBOUNDARYPTS = <boolean> FALSE Set to TRUE if you also want the boundary
points to be used to create triangles.
SOURCEZONES = <set> All zones.
TRIANGLEKEEPFACTOR = <dexp> 0.25
USEBOUNDARY = <boolean> FALSE Specify one or more I-ordered zones that
define boundaries across which no triangles
can be created.
Example: Create a zone by triangulating data points from zones 1 and 2:
$!TRIANGULATE
SOURCEZONES= [1,2]

$!TWODAXIS
Syntax: $!TWODAXIS
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that assigns attributes for axes in a 2-D frame.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

AUTOADJUSTRANGESTONICEVALUES = <boolean>
AXISMODE <axismode> Set to INDEPENDENT
or XYDEPENDENT.
DEPXTOYRATIO <op> <dexp> AXISMODE must be
XYDEPENDENT to use
this.
GRIDAREA <<gridarea>>
PRECISEGRID <<precisegrid>>

211
 Parameter Syntax Default Notes
PRESERVEAXISSCALEWHENRANGEISCHANGED = <boolean>
VIEWPORTNICEFITBUFFER = <double>
VIEWPORTPOSTITION <<rect>>
VIEWPORTTOPSNAPTARGET = <integer> 100
VIEWPORTTOPSNAPTOLERANCE = <integer> 10
XDETAIL <<axisdetail>>
YDETAIL <<axisdetail>>
Example: Set the X-axis to use variable 3 for a 2-D plot:
$!TWODAXIS
XDETAIL {VARNUM = 3}

$!VARSET
Syntax: $!VARSET <macrovar> < op> <dexp>
[no parameters]
or
$!VARSET <macrovar> = <string>
[no parameters]
Description: Assign a value to a macro variable. If the macro variable did not exist prior to this
command, then it is defined here. A macro variable can be assigned a value or a string.
Examples:
Example 1: Set the macro variable |myvar| to 3:
$!VARSET |myvar| = 3

Example 2: Add 2 to the macro variable |myvar|:

$!VARSET |myvar| += 2

Example 3: Set the macro variable |File1| to be myfile.plt:

$!VARSET |File1| = "myfile.plt"

Example 4: Set the macro variable |F1| to equal |V2| + |V3|, where |V2| and |V3| are
predefined variables:
$!VARSET|V2| = 4
$!VARSET|V3| = 5
$!VARSET|F1| = (|V2| + |V3|)

212
 $!VIEW [Required-Control Option]

$!VIEW [Required-Control Option]

Description: The different commands in the VIEW compound function family are described separately
in the following sections.
The VIEW compound function family is:
$!VIEW AXISFIT
$!VIEW AXISMAKECURRENTVALUESNICE
$!VIEW AXISNICEFIT
$!VIEW CENTER
$!VIEW COPY
$!VIEW DATAFIT
$!VIEW FIT
$!VIEW LAST
$!VIEW MAKECURRENTVIEWNICE
$!VIEW NICEFIT
$!VIEW PASTE
$!VIEW PUSH
$!VIEW RESETTOENTIRECIRCLE
$!VIEW SETMAGNIFICATION
$!VIEW TRANSLATE
$!VIEW ZOOM

$!VIEW AXISFIT
Syntax: $!VIEW AXISFIT
[optional parameters]
Description: Reset the range on a specific axis so that it equals the minimum and maximum of the data
being plotted. If the axis dependency is not independent then this action may also affect
the range on another axis.
Optional Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

AXIS = <xyaxis> ’X’ Default is ‘T’ for polar plot type.
AXISNUM = <integer> 1 Only XY frame mode allows for this to be a number
greater than 1.
Example: Reset the range on the Y-axis to fit the data being plotted:
$!VIEW AXISFIT
AXIS =’Y’

213
 $!VIEW AXISMAKECURRENTAXISVALUESNICE
Syntax: $!VIEW AXISMAKECURRENTAXISVALUESNICE
[optional parameters]
Description: Reset the axis-line label values such that all currently displayed values are set to have the
smallest number of significant digits possible.
Optional Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

AXIS = <xyaxis> ’X’ Default is ‘T’ for polar plot type.
AXISNUM = <integer> 1 Only XY line plots allow for this to be a
number greater than 1.
Example: Set the range on the Z-axis to have nice values for the axis labels:
$!VIEW AXISMAKECURRENTAXISVALUESNICE
AXIS = ’Z’

$!VIEW AXISNICEFIT
Syntax: $!VIEW AXISNICEFIT
[optional parameters]
Description: Reset the range on a specific axis so that it equals the minimum and maximum of the data
being plotted, but makes the axis values “nice” by setting labels to have the smallest
number of significant digits possible. If the axis dependency is not independent then this
action may also affect the range on another axis.
Optional Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

AXIS = <xyaxis> ’X’ Default is ‘T’ for polar plot type.
AXISNUM = <integer> 1 Only XY frame mode allows for this to be a number
greater than 1.
Example: Reset the range on the Y-axis to fit the data being plotted, with nice values on the axis-
line:
$!VIEW AXISNICEFIT
AXIS =’Y’

$!VIEW CENTER
Syntax: $!VIEW CENTER

214
 $!VIEW COPY

[no parameters]
Description: Center the data within the axis grid area.
Example: $!VIEW CENTER

$!VIEW COPY
Syntax: $!VIEW COPY
[no parameters]
Description: Copy the current view to the view paste buffer. See also $!VIEW PASTE.
Example: $!VIEW COPY

$!VIEW DATAFIT
Syntax: $!VIEW DATAFIT
[no parameters]
Description: Fit the current set of data zones or line mappings being plotted within the grid area. This
does not take into consideration text or geometries.
Example: $!VIEW DATAFIT

$!VIEW FIT
Syntax: $!VIEW FIT
[no parameters]
Description: Fit the entire plot to the grid area. This also takes into consideration text and geometries
that are plotted using the grid coordinate system. In 3-D, this also includes the axes.
Example: $!VIEW FIT

$!VIEW LAST
Syntax: $!VIEW LAST
[no parameters]
Description: Retrieve the previous view from the view stack. Each frame mode within each frame
maintains its own view stack. $!VIEW LAST will not reverse alterations to data.

215
 Example: $!VIEW LAST

$!VIEW MAKECURRENTVIEWNICE
Syntax: $!VIEW MAKECURRENTVIEWNICE
[no parameters]
Description: Shifts axis to make axis-line values nice without changing the extents of the window.
Only works in Sketch/XY/2D.
Example: $!VIEW MAKECURRENTVIEWNICE

$!VIEW NICEFIT
Syntax: $!VIEW NICEFIT
[no parameters]
Description: Change view to make the extents of the frame neatly hold the plot with integer values for
axis labels. Only works in Sketch/XY/2D.
Example: $!VIEW NICEFIT

$!VIEW PASTE
Syntax: $!VIEW PASTE
[no parameters]
Description: Retrieve the view from the view paste buffer and assign it to the current frame.
Example: $!VIEW PASTE

$!VIEW PUSH
Syntax: $!VIEW PUSH
[no parameters]
Description: Instruct Tecplot to push the current view onto the view stack. A view will not be pushed
if the current view is the same as the top view on the stack. Note that commands VIEW
AXISFIT, VIEW CENTER, VIEW DATAFIT, VIEW FIT, and VIEW ZOOM
automatically push a view onto the stack. Tecplot automatically pushes the current view
onto the stack when a $!REDRAW command is issued and the current view is different
from the top view on the view stack.

216
 $!VIEW RESETTOENTIRECIRCLE

Example: $!VIEW PUSH

$!VIEW RESETTOENTIRECIRCLE
Syntax: $!VIEW RESETTOENTIRECIRCLE
[no parameters]
Description: Reset the Theta-R Axis to initial settings. For Polar plots only.
Example: $!VIEW RESETTOENTIRECIRCLE

$!VIEW SETMAGNIFICATION
Syntax: $!VIEW SETMAGNIFICATION
MAG = <dexp>
Description: Set the magnification for the data being plotted. A magnification of 1 will size the plot so
it can fit within the grid area.
Required Parameter:

Parameters Syntax Notes

MAGNIFICATION = <dexp>
Example: Make the plot to be drawn one-half as big as when it fits within the grid area:
$!VIEW SETMAGNIFICATION
MAGNIFICATION = 0.5

$!VIEW TRANSLATE
Syntax: $!VIEW TRANSLATE
X = <dexp>
Y = <dexp>
[no optional parameters]
Description: Shift the data being plotted in the X- and/or Y-direction. The amount translated is in
frame units.
Required Parameters

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

X = <dexp> 0.0 Amount to translate in X-frame units.
Y = <dexp> 0.0 Amount to translate in Y-frame units.

217
 Example: Translate the view 10 percent of the frame width to the right:
$!VIEW TRANSLATE
X = 10

$!VIEW ZOOM
Syntax: $!VIEW ZOOM
X1 = <dexp>
Y1 = <dexp>
X2 = <dexp>
Y2 = <dexp>
[no optional parameters]
Description: Change the view by “zooming” into the data. In Sketch, XY, and 2D frame mode plots,
Tecplot will adjust the ranges on the axis to view the region defined by the rectangle with
corners at (X1, Y1) and (X2, Y2). For 3-D orthographic plots, the view is translated and
scaled to fit the region. For 3-D perspective plots, the view is rotated about the viewer
and scaled to fit the region. X1 and so forth are measured in grid coordinates.
Required Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Notes

X1 = <dexp>
Y1 = <dexp>
X2 = <dexp>
Y2 = <dexp>
Example: Zoom so the rectangular region with corners at (1, 0) and (7, 9) are in view:
$!VIEW ZOOM
X1 = 1
Y1 = 0
X2 = 7
Y2 = 9

$!WHILE...$!ENDWHILE
Syntax: $!WHILE <conditionalexp>
.
.
.
$!ENDWHILE
Description: Continue to execute a set of commands until a conditional expression is false.

218
 $!WORKSPACEVIEW [Required-Control Option]

Example: Execute a set of commands until the macro variable |myvar| is greater than 1.0:
$!VARSET |myvar| = 0.0
$!WHILE |myvar| < 1.0
.
.
.
$!VARSET |myvar| + = 0.01
$!ENDWHILE

$!WORKSPACEVIEW [Required-Control Option]

Description: The different commands in the WORKSPACEVIEW compound function family are
described separately in the following sections.
The WORKSPACEVIEW compound functions are:
$!WORKSPACEVIEW FITALLFRAMES
$!WORKSPACEVIEW FITPAPER
$!WORKSPACEVIEW FITSELECTEDFRAMES
$!WORKSPACEVIEW LASTVIEW
$!WORKSPACEVIEW MAXIMIZE
$!WORKSPACEVIEW TRANSLATE
$!WORKSPACEVIEW UNMAXIMIZE
$!WORKSPACEVIEW ZOOM

$!WORKSPACEVIEW FITALLFRAMES
Syntax: $!WORKSPACEVIEW FITALLFRAMES
[no parameters]
Description: Change the view in the workspace so all frames are fit just inside the edges of the
workspace.
Example: $!WORKSPACEVIEW FITALLFRAMES

$!WORKSPACEVIEW FITPAPER
Syntax: $!WORKSPACEVIEW FITPAPER
[no parameters]
Description: Change the view in the workspace so the entire paper is fit just inside the edges of the
workspace.
Example: $!WORKSPACEVIEW FITPAPER

219
 $!WORKSPACEVIEW FITSELECTEDFRAMES
Syntax: $!WORKSPACEVIEW FITSELECTEDFRAMES
[no parameters]
Description: Change the view in the workspace so the currently selected frames (that is, the frames
with pick handles) are fit just inside the edges of the workspace.
Example: $!WORKSPACEVIEW FITSELECTEDFRAMES

$!WORKSPACEVIEW LASTVIEW
Syntax: $!WORKSPACEVIEW LASTVIEW
[no parameters]
Description: Return to the previous workspace view.
Example: $!WORKSPACEVIEW LASTVIEW

$!WORKSPACEVIEW MAXIMIZE
Syntax: $!WORKSPACEVIEW MAXIMIZE
[no parameters]
Description: Temporarily expand the work area as large as possible. The maximized work area
occupies the entire Tecplot process window.
Example: $!WORKSPACEVIEW MAXIMIZE

$!WORKSPACEVIEW TRANSLATE
Syntax: $!WORKSPACEVIEW TRANSLATE
X = <dexp>
Y = <dexp>
[no optional parameters]
Description: Shift the view of the workspace. This has no effect on the local view within any frame in
your layout.
Required Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

X = <dexp> 0 Value is in inches.
Y = <dexp> 0 Value is in inches.

220
 $!WORKSPACEVIEW UNMAXIMIZE

Example: Shift the workspace view to the left by 2 inches (as measured by the workspace ruler):
$!WORKSPACEVIEW TRANSLATE
X = -2
Y = 0

$!WORKSPACEVIEW UNMAXIMIZE
Syntax: $!WORKSPACEVIEW UNMAXIMIZE
[no parameters]
Description: Returns the workspace to its normal size after it has been expanded after $!WORKSPACE
MAXIMIZE has been used.
Example: $!WORKSPACEVIEW UNMAXIMIZE

$!WORKSPACEVIEW ZOOM
Syntax: $!WORKSPACEVIEW ZOOM
X1 = <dexp>
Y1 = <dexp>
X2 = <dexp>
Y2 = <dexp>
[no optional parameters]
Description: Change the view into the work area. This has no effect on the local view within any frame
in your layout.
Required Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Notes

X1 = <dexp>
Y1 = <dexp>
X2 = <dexp>
Y2 = <dexp>
Example: Make the region in the lower left corner of an 8.5 by 11 paper be viewable in the work
area. The paper is in portrait orientation:
$!WORKSPACEVIEW ZOOM
X1 = 0
Y1 = 5.5
X2 = 4.25
Y2 = 9.75

221
 $!WRITECOLORMAP
Syntax: $!WRITECOLORMAP <string>
[no parameters]
Description: Write the current color map to a file. The <string> is the name of the file to write to.
Example: $!WRITECOLORMAP "mycolors.map"

$!WRITECURVEINFO
Syntax: $!WRITECURVEINFO <string>
SOURCEMAP = <integer>
[optional parameters]
Description: Write out the curve details or the calculated data points for the equation(s) used to draw
the curve for a selected line mapping. The <string> is the name of the file to write to.
Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

SOURCEMAP = <integer> This must be the number of an line mapping that does
some type of curve fit or spline.
Optional Parameter:

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

CURVEINFOMODE = <curveinfomode> CURVE Use CURVE DETAILS or
DETAILS CURVEPOINTS.
Example: Write out the coefficients for XY line mapping number 3 to map3.out:
$!WRITECURVEINFO "map3.out"
SOURCEMAP = 3
CURVEINFOMODE = CURVE DETAILS

$!WRITEDATASET
Syntax: $!WRITEDATASET <string>
[optional parameters]
Description: Write the data set attached to the current frame to a file. The <string> is the name of the
file to write to.

222
 $!WRITESTYLESHEET

Optional Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Default Notes

ASSOCIATELAYOUTWITHDATAFILE = <boolean> TRUE
BINARY = <boolean> TRUE If FALSE, you can include PRECISION
and
USEPOINTFORMAT.
INCLUDEAUTOGENFACENEIGHBORS = <boolean> FALSE
INCLUDECUSTOMLABELS = <boolean> TRUE
INCLUDEDATA = <boolean> TRUE
INCLUDEDATASHARELINKAGE = <boolean> FALSE
INCLUDEGEOM = <boolean> TRUE
INCLUDETEXT = <boolean> TRUE
PRECISION = <integer> 12 Only used if ASCII (that is, BINARY is
FALSE).
USEPOINTFORMAT = <boolean> FALSE Only used if ASCII (that is, BINARY is
FALSE).
VARPOSITIONLIST = <set> All vars. Use this to limit the number of variables
written out.
ZONELIST = <set> All zones. Use this to limit the number of zones
written out.
Example: Write out only zone 3 to a file called zone3.plt:
$!WRITEDATASET "zone3.plt"
INCLUDETEXT = FALSE
INCLUDEGEOM = FALSE
INCLUDECUSTOMLABELS = FALSE
ZONELIST = [3]

$!WRITESTYLESHEET
Syntax: $!WRITESTYLESHEET <string>
[optional parameters]
Description: Write the style for the current frame to a file. The <string> is the name of the file to write
to.
Optional Parameters:

Parameters Syntax Default

INCLUDECONTOURLEVELS = <boolean> TRUE
INCLUDETEXT = <boolean> TRUE
INCLUDEGEOM = <boolean> TRUE
INCLUDEPLOTSTYLE = <boolean> TRUE
INCLUDESTREAMPOSITIONS = <boolean> TRUE
INCLUDEFACTORYDEFAULTS = <boolean> FALSE
USERELATIVEPATHS = <boolean>
INCLUDEAUXDATA = <boolean> TRUE

223
 Example: Write out a stylesheet for the current frame to f1.sty:
$!WRITESTYLESHEET "f1.sty"
INCLUDEFACTORYDEFAULTS = TRUE

$!XYLINEAXIS
Syntax: $!XYLINEAXIS
[optional parameters]
Description: A SetValue command that assigns attributes for axes in an XY Line plot.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

AUTOADJUSTRANGESTONICEVA = <boolean>
LUES
AXISMODE <axismode> Set to INDEPENDENT or
XYDEPENDENT.
DEPXTOYRATIO <op> <dexp> AXISMODE must be
XYDEPENDENT to use this.
This applies only to the X1-
and Y1-axes.
GRIDAREA <<gridarea>>
PRECISEGRID <<precisegrid>>
PRESERVEAXISSCALE = <boolean>
VIEWPORTNICEFITBUFFER = <double> Between 1 and 100.
VIEWPORTTOPSNAPTARGET = <integer> 100
VIEWPORTTOPSNAPTOLERANCE = <integer> 10
XDETAIL <integer> <<axisdetail>> The <integer> option specifies
which axis to operate on, 1 £ n
£ 5.
YDETAIL <integer> <<axisdetail>> The <integer> option specifies
which axis to operate on, 1 £ n
£ 5.
Example: Set the axis mode to be independent for the XY-axes (note that this affects only X1
versus Y1):
$!XYLINEAXIS
AXISMODE = INDEPENDENT

224
Chapter 9 Macro Commands for the
Analyze Menu

All of macro commands associated with the Analyze menu are embedded within Tecplot’s
ADDONCOMMAND macro. The syntax of this macro is shown below:
$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = <string>
COMMAND = <string>
The first <string> is a text string should be set to CFDAnalyzer3. The second string is sent to one
of the add-ons listed below.

9 - 1 Summary of Analyze Macro Commands

ANIMATESTREAKLINES may be used following a streakline calculation to animate the streak-
lines, either to the screen or to a file.

ATTACHINTEGRATIONRESULTS is used following an integration to create a text field and attach

it to the current Tecplot frame. This macro has the same effect as clicking Make Text on the Inte-
gration Results text dialog.

Note: It is not necessary to direct the macro to display the Integration Results dialog in order to
attach or save the results.

CALCPARTICLEPATH calculates particle paths or streaklines for steady or unsteady flow solu-
tions, using the location of any existing streamtraces as starting locations for the particles. Particles
may have mass or be massless.

CALCTURBULENCEFUNCTION calculates any of four turbulence-related functions, given any two

in your data set.

CALCULATE calculates a PLOT3D function. The name of this function must be specified in the
shortened form listed in Section 12.5, “Parameter Assignment Values.”

CALCULATEACCURACY uses Richardson extrapolation to estimate the order accuracy of the solu-
tion, given the solution on three grids of successively finer resolution. If either of the plotting
options are set to TRUE, the resulting Tecplot frames will be in front after executing this command.

225
 DISPLAYBOUNDARIES displays zone boundaries in a new frame according to settings made by
the SETGEOMETRYANDBOUNDARIES macro. Each boundary of each 3-D zone (in 3D Cartesian
plots) or 2-D zone (in 2D Cartesian plots) is displayed and named according to the boundary condi-
tion applied to it. Boundaries that are connected to the boundaries of adjacent zones are named as
such.

EXTRACTFLOWFEATURE displays shock surfaces, vortex cores, or separation and attachment

lines for 3-D flow solutions. Separation and attachment lines are only calculated on no-slip wall
boundaries identified by the SETGEOMETRYANDBOUNDARIES macro. Shock surfaces are dis-
played as iso-surfaces of a new variable, ShockFeature, while the remaining features are displayed
as new zones.

EXTRAPOLATESOLUTION performs Richardson extrapolation to estimate the true solution from

three input solutions on grids of successively finer resolution. It saves the extrapolated solution as a
new zone in the current data set. It also saves an additional zone containing the difference between
this solution and the original solution.

INTEGRATE performs an integration. All Integrate dialog options are available to this macro,
including the display options. If the PLOTRESULTS parameter is set to TRUE, then the Tecplot
frame showing the integration results is the current frame following this command.

SAVEINTEGRATIONRESULTS has the same effect as clicking Save on the Integration Results
dialog and selecting a file. The results are saved to the file named by the FILE parameter.

SETFIELDVARIABLES identifies variables in your data, such as velocity, pressure and tempera-
ture, for use in analysis.

SETFLUIDPROPERTIES sets the properties of the fluid, such as viscosity. These are used by
some actions of the CALCULATE and INTEGRATE commands.

SETGEOMETRYANDBOUNDARIES identifies boundaries of zones in a flow solution and the

boundary conditions applied to them. It also specifies whether zones with coincident boundary
nodes should be considered connected at those points, as well as whether 2-D solutions should be
regarded as axisymmetric.

SETREFERENCEVALUES sets the reference (free-stream) properties of the solution. This informa-
tion is used by other calculations.

SETUNSTEADYFLOWOPTIONS identifies solution time levels for unsteady flow solutions. This
information is used for particle path and streakline calculations.

226
 ANIMATESTREAKLINES

9 - 2 Macro Command Description

The syntax, mandatory and optional parameters for each of the macro commands listed in 9 - 1are
described below. Items within single angle brackets (<>) are defined in Section 9 - 3.
Note: The COMMAND strings below must be contained on a single line in your macro command file,
although they appear on multiple lines below.

ANIMATESTREAKLINES
Syntax: $!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = ‘CFDANALYZER3’
COMMAND = ‘ANIMATESTREAKLINES
[optional parameters]’
Description: Animates previously calculated streaklines to the screen or to a file.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

DESTINATION = <string> SCREEN Specifies the destination of the animation.
May be SCREEN, AVIFILE or
RASTERMETAFILE.
FILENAME = <string> ““ The name of the file to which to save the
animation. Must be specified for
DESTINATION values of AVIFILE or
RASTERMETAFILE.
WIDTH = <integer> 300 The width of the animation when saved to a
file.
SPEED = <double> 10.0 The speed in frames per second of the
animation. Only used for animations saved to
an AVI file.
USEMULTIPLECOLORTABLES = <boolean> FALSE Specifies whether animations saved to a file
should include one color table for each frame.
The default is to use a single color table.
INCLUDEZONEANIMATION = <boolean> FALSE

ATTACHINTEGRATIONRESULTS
Syntax: $!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = ‘CFDAnalyzer3’
COMMAND = ‘ATTACHINTEGRATIONRESULTS’
Description: Attach the text results of the previous integration as a text field in the current frame.

227
 CALCPARTICLEPATH
Syntax: $!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = ‘CFDAnalyzer3’
COMMAND = ‘CALCPARTICLEPATH
[optional parameters]’
Description: Calculate particle paths or streaklines, starting from existing Tecplot streamtraces.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

FUNCTION = <particlefunction> PARTICLEPATH Can be PARTICLEPATH or
STREAKLINE.
TIMESTEP = <double> 1 The integration time step for
the calculation.
MAXTIMESTEPS = <integer> 1000 For steady-state calculations
only.
RELEASEFREQ = <double> 1 For FUNCTION =
STREAKLINE. Indicates the
number of particles to release
in the indicated time period
(see the next parameter).
RELEASEOPTION = <releaseoption> TIMELEVEL For FUNCTION =
STREAKLINE. If
TIMELEVEL, indicates that
RELEASEFREQ particles
should be released every
solution time level. If
UNITTIME, indicates that
this number of particles
should be released in a unit
amount of solution time.
HAVEMASS = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, particles have mass;
specify the particle mass
options below.
CREATESINGLEZONE = <boolean> FALSE For FUNCTION =
PARTICLEPATH only,
specifies that all particle paths
should be combined into a
single I-J ordered zone.
STOREOPTION = <storeoption> PARTICLEVALUES If PARTICLEVALUES, the
particle’s velocity, mass and
temperature (if calculated)
will be stored in place of
appropriate fluid values in the
particle path’s zone. If
FLUIDVALUES, all fluid
values the particle passed
through will be stored in the
zone.

228
 CALCPARTICLEPATH

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

COEFFS = <coeffsoption> GENERAL If GENERAL, specify
BALLISTICCOEFF, plus
TEMPTIMECONST if
calculating particle
temperature. If DETAILED,
specify MASS, RADIUS, and
DRAGCOEFF, plus
SPECIFICHEAT and
NUSSELT if calculating
temperature. Only applies if
HAVEMASS = TRUE.
CALCTEMERATURE = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, particle temperature
will be calculated. Only
applies if HAVEMASS =
TRUE.
GRAVITYCONSTANT = <double> 0.0 The acceleration due to
gravity. Only applies if
HAVEMASS = TRUE.
GRAVITYDIRECTION = <gravitydirection> MINUSX The axis direction in which
gravity acts. Only applies if
HAVEMASS = TRUE.
INITIALVELOCITYO = <initialvelocityoption> LOCALFLUIDVELOCITY The initial velocity of
PTION particles. Options are
LOCALFLUIDVELOCITY
and ZEROVELOCITY. Only
applies if HAVEMASS =
TRUE.
BALLISTICCOEFF = <double> 1.0 For GENERAL coefficients
only, the ballistic coefficient
of the particle. Only applies if
HAVEMASS = TRUE.
TEMPTIMECONST = <double> 1.0 For GENERAL coefficients
with
CALCTEMPERATURE =
TRUE only, the temperature
relaxation factor of the
particle. Only applies if
HAVEMASS = TRUE.
MASS = <double> 1.0 For DETAILED coefficients
only, the particle mass. Only
applies if HAVEMASS =
TRUE.
RADIUS = <double> 1.0 For DETAILED coefficients
only, the particle initial radius.
Only applies if HAVEMASS =
TRUE.
DRAGCOEFFOPTION = <specifyoption> SPECIFY For DETAILED coefficients
only. If SPECIFY, specify
DRAGCOEFF. If
CALCULATE, Tecplot will
calculate the drag coefficient.
Only applies if HAVEMASS =
TRUE.

229
 Parameter Syntax Default Notes
DRAGCOEFF = <double> 1.0 For DETAILED coefficients
only, with
DRAGCOEFFOPTION =
SPECIFY, the particle drag
coefficient. Only applies if
HAVEMASS = TRUE.
SPECIFICHEAT = <double> 1.0 For DETAILED coefficients
with
CALCTEMPERATURE =
TRUE only, the particle
specific heat. Only applies if
HAVEMASS = TRUE.
NUSSELTOPTION = <specifyoption> SPECIFY For DETAILED coefficients
with
CALCTEMPERATURE =
TRUE only. If
SPECIFY, specify NUSSELT.
If CALCULATE, Tecplot will
calculate the Nusselt number.
Only applies if HAVEMASS =
TRUE.
NUSSELT = <double> 1.0 For DETAILED coefficients
with
CALCTEMPERATURE =
TRUE and
NUSSELTOPTION =
SPECIFY only, the particle
Nusselt number. Only applies
if HAVEMASS = TRUE.
TERMOPTION = <terminationoption> TEMPERATURE For DETAILED coefficients
with
CALCTEMPERATURE =
TRUE only (is always
TEMPERATURE for general
coefficients), the particle
termination option. May be
TEMPERATURE or ABLATE.
Only applies if HAVEMASS =
TRUE.
TEMPERATURE = <double> 1.0 If TERMOPTION =
TEMPERATURE, the particle
termination temperature. If
TERMOPTION = ABLATE,
the ablation temperature.
Only applies if HAVEMASS =
TRUE.
LATENTHEAT = <double> 1.0 For TERMOPTION =
ABLATE only, the latent heat
of the ablative process. Only
applies if HAVEMASS =
TRUE.
Example 1: Calculate streaklines with an integration time step of 0.1, releasing eight particles per unit
solution time:
$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3

230
 CALCTURBULENCEFUNCTION

COMMAND = ‘CALCPARTICLEPATH
FUNCTION=STREAKLINE
TIMESTEP=0.1 RELEASEFREQ=8
RELEASEOPTION=UNITTIME’
Example 2: Calculate particle paths, including temperature with ablation, in a steady-state flow for
particles with an initial mass of 3E-14, an initial radius of 1.5E-6 and a specific heat of
703. Use a time step of 1E-6. Have Tecplot calculate the drag coefficient and the Nusselt
number. Use an ablation temperature of 2,250 and a latent heat of 1.5E5:
$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘CALCPARTICLEPATH
TIMESTEP = 1.0e-6
HAVEMASS = TRUE
COEFFS = DETAILED
CALCTEMPERATURE = TRUE
MASS = 3e-14
RADIUS = 1.5e-6
DRAGCOEFFOPTION = CALCULATE
SPECIFICHEAT = 703
NUSSELTOPTION = CALCULATE
TERMOPTION = ABLATE
TEMPERATURE = 2250
LATENTHEAT = 1.5e5’

CALCTURBULENCEFUNCTION
Syntax: $!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = ‘CFDAnalyzer3’
COMMAND = ‘CALCTURBULENCEFUNCTION
[optional parameters]
Description: Calculate a turbulence-related function from two variables in the current data set. Add the
result to the data set as a new variable using the function’s name, or overwrite the
variable if it already exists.

231
 Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CALCULATEONDEMAND = <boolean> FALSE
FUNCTION = <turbulencefunction> FREQUENCY May be ENERGY,
DISSIPATIONRATE,
FREQUENCY, or VISCOSITY.
ID1 = <turbulencefunction> ENERGY The turbulence quantity the first
data set variable represents.
VARIABLE1 = <integer> 1 The number of the first data set
variable.
ID2 = <turbulencefunction> DISSIPATIONRATE The turbulence quantity the
second data set variable
represents.
VARIABLE2 = <integer> 2 The number of the second data
set variable.
VALUELOCATION = <valuelocation> NODAL The location of new variables
added to the data set. Can be
NODAL or CELLCENTERED.
Example: Calculate turbulent kinematic viscosity from turbulent kinetic energy, variable 5, and
turbulent frequency, variable 6:
$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘CALCTURBULENCEFUNCTION
FUNCTION=VISCOSITY
VARIABLE1=5
ID2=FREQUENCY VARIABLE2=6’

CALCULATE
Syntax: $!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = ‘CFDAnalyzer3’
COMMAND = ‘CALCULATE FUNCTION = <functionname>
[optional parameters]’
Description: Calculate a Tecplot variable using the specified function and add it to the current data set.
If the variable already exists in the current data set, it will be recalculated.

232
 CALCULATEACCURACY

Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CALCULATEONDEMAND = <boolean> FALSE
FUNCTION = <functionname> Indicates the function to be used to calculate the
variable. If it is a vector function, the components
will be stored as X name, Y name, and Z name,
where name is the function name appearing in the
interface.
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

NORMALIZATION = <normalizationoption> NONE May be NONE,
MAXIMUMMAGNITUDE or
REFERENCEVALUES.
VALUELOCATION = <valuelocation> NODAL The location of new variables added
to the data set. Can be NODAL or
CELLCENTERED.
CALCULATEONDEMAND = <boolean> FALSE
Example 1: Calculate the Jacobian for the grid of the current data set:
$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘CALCULATE FUNCTION = JACOBIAN’
Example 2: Calculate the pressure coefficient for the current data set. The freestream density and
speed of sound are 1.0 (the defaults):
$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘CALCULATE
FUNCTION = PRESSURECOEF

CALCULATEACCURACY
Syntax: $!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = ‘CFDAnalyzer3’
COMMAND = ‘CALCULATEACCURACY ZONES = [<set>]
[optional parameters]’
Description: Calculate the order accuracy of the solution contained in the listed zones. Optionally, plot
the overall accuracy versus grid spacing and plot the accuracy at each grid node.

233
 Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ZONES = <set> Indicates the three zones from which to perform the accuracy calculation.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Syntax Default Notes

MAXACCURACY = <double> 2.0 The maximum theoretical accuracy
of the solver which generated the
solution. Used to limit the
calculated accuracy.
DATASETVAR = <integer> 1 The data set variable with which to
perform the accuracy calculation.
PLOTDETAILEDACCURACY = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, a new frame will be
created containing the accuracy
calculated at each grid node.
PLOTOVERALLACCURACY = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, a new frame will be
created containing the 1-norm and
max-norm of the estimated error
for each solution zone plotted
versus grid resolution.
Example: Calculate the accuracy using zones 3, 4 and 5, along with data set variable 7, plotting the
overall accuracy:
$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘CALCULATEACCURACY ZONES=[3-5]
DATASETVAR=7
PLOTOVERALLACCURACY=TRUE’

DISPLAYBOUNDARIES
Syntax $!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = ‘CFDAnalyzer3’
COMMAND = ‘DISPLAYBOUNDARIES
[optional parameters]
[RAWDATA
<boundaryrawdata>]
Description: Displays boundaries corresponding to a geometry and boundaries specification without
actually setting the geometry and boundaries. This macro is generally not useful for those
writing macro files, but is recorded when the user clicks the Display Boundaries button in
the Geometry and Boundaries dialog in order to duplicate the actions of Tecplot that
happen in response to that action. See “SETGEOMETRYANDBOUNDARIES” on
page 241 for a description of the parameters for this macro.

234
 EXTRACTFLOWFEATURE

EXTRACTFLOWFEATURE
Syntax: $!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘EXTRACTFLOWFEATURE
[optional parameters]’
Description: Extract and display shock surfaces, vortex cores, or separation and attachment lines.
Shock surfaces are displayed as isosurfaces of a new variable, ShockSurface, while
vortex cores and separation and attachment lines are displayed as new zones.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

Feature = <flowfeature> SHOCKSURFACES Can be SHOCKSURFACES, VORTEXCORES,
or SEPATTACHLINES.
VCOREMETHOD = <vcoremethod> EIGENMODES The vortex core extraction method. Can be
VORTICITY or EIGENMODES.
EXCLUDEBLANKED = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, vortex cores and separation/
attachment lines will not be calculated in
blanked regions.
Example: Extract vortex cores using the eigenmodes method:
$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘EXTRACTFLOWFEATURE
FEATURE = VORTEXCORES
VCOREMETHOD = EIGENMODES’

EXTRAPOLATESOLUTION
Syntax: $!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘EXTRAPOLATESOLUTION ZONES = <set>
[MAXACCURACY = <double>]’
Description: Perform Richardson extrapolation to estimate the true solution from three input solutions
on grids of successively finer resolution. Two new zones are added to the current data set.
The first contains the extrapolated solution, while the second contains the estimated error.

235
 Required Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

ZONES = <set> Indicates the three zones from which to perform the accuracy calculation.
Optional Parameter:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

MAXACCURACY = <double> 2.0 The maximum theoretical accuracy of the solver which generated
the solution. Used to limit the calculated accuracy.
Example: Extrapolate zones 3, 4, and 5, which were calculated with a second order accurate solver:
$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘EXTRAPOLATESOLUTION ZONES=[3-5]
MAXACCURACY = 2

INTEGRATE
Syntax: $!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘INTEGRATE [<set>] [optional parameters]’
Description: Perform an integration over the specified zones. If <set> is not specified, the integration
will be performed over all zones. If PLOTAS is set to TRUE, the integration results will
be plotted in a new frame.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

VARIABLEOPTION = <variableoption> SCALAR
XORIGIN = <double> 0.0 For VARIABLEOPTION =
FORCESANDMOMENTS, indicates the origin
X-location for moment calculations.
YORIGIN = <double> 0.0 For VARIABLEOPTION =
FORCESANDMOMENTS, indicates the origin
Y-location for moment calculations.
ZORIGIN = <double> 0.0 For VARIABLEOPTION =
FORCESANDMOMENTS, indicates the origin
Z-location for moment calculations.
SCALARVAR = <integer> 1 For when VARIABLEOPTION = AVERAGE,
MASSWEIGHTEDAVERAGE,
WEIGHTEDAVERAGE,
MASSFLOWWEIGHTEDAVERAGE, OR
VECTORAVERAGe. Indicates which
variable’s average will be calculated.
ABSOLUTE = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, the absolute value of cell volumes be
used for integration.

236
 INTEGRATE

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

EXCLUDEBLANKED = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, integration will only include non-
blanked regions.
XVARIABLE = <integer> 0 Data set position of the scalar variable or X-
component of the vector variable to be
integrated.
YVARIABLE = <integer> 0 Only required for vector integrations. Indicates
the Y-component of the vector variable to be
integrated.
ZVARIABLE = <integer> 0 Only required for vector integrations. Indicates
the Z-component of the vector variable to be
integrated.
INTEGRATEOVER = <integrationoption> CELLVOLUMES Specifies cell volumes, planes, or lines.
IRANGE
{
MIN = <integer> 1
MAX = <integer> 0
SKIP = <integer> 1
}
JRANGE
{
MIN = <integer> 1
MAX = <integer> 0
SKIP = <integer> 1
}
KRANGE
{
MIN = <integer> 1
MAX = <integer> 0
SKIP = <integer> 1
}
PLOTRESULTS = <boolean> FALSE Indicated whether the results of the integration
will be plotted in a Tecplot frame.
PLOTAS = <string> Results The variable name used to plot integration
results. If it contains spaces, surround it with
quotes preceded by a backslash (\’). Ignored
for forces and moments.
Range Parameters: The I-range, J-range and K-range parameters are used to limit the data
altered by the equation. The specification of range indices follow the rules below.

• All indices start with one and go to some maximum index m.

• Zero can be used to represent the maximum index m; specifying zero tells the
command to go to the very last position of the range, that is, the maximum
index value m. If the maximum index m = 15, specifying zero sets the range
index to 15.

• Negative values represent the offset from the maximum index. If a value of -2
is specified, and the maximum index m is 14, the value used is 14–2, or 12.

237
 Examples:
Example 1: The following command calculates the mass for all zones by integrating density (variable
4) over cell volumes:
$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘INTEGRATE SCALARVAR = 4’

Example 2: Calculate the mass flux across a series of I = constant planes for zones 1, 2, and 3 and
plots the results as “Mass Flux.” Since the COMMAND string is surrounded by single
quotation marks (‘), the quotes surrounding the PLOTAS parameter must be preceded
by a backslash to avoid a syntax error:
$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘INTEGRATE [1-3] VARIABLEOPTION =
MASSFLOWRATE INTEGRATEOVER = IPLANES PLOTRESULTS =
TRUE PLOTAS = \‘Mass Flux\’ ’

Example 3: Calculate the “mass-weighted average” (actually the mass flow-weighted average) of
total pressure, variable 7:
$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘INTEGRATE [1-3] VARIABLEOPTION =
MASSFLOWWEIGHTEDAVERAGE
SCALARVAR = 7 INTEGRATEOVER = IPLANES PLOTRESULTS =
TRUE PLOTAS = \‘Mass Weighted Avg Pt\’ ’

SAVEINTEGRATIONRESULTS
Syntax: $!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘SAVEINTEGRATOINRESULTS
FILENAME = <string>’
Description: Saves the most recently calculated integration results to a text file.
Required parameter:

Parameter Syntax Notes

FILENAME = <string> Indicates the name of the file to which to save the results. It may be a new or
existing file.
Example: Save the most recent integration results to file E:\users\dave\results.txt. The backslash

238
 SETFIELDVARIABLES

characters (\) must be escaped with a second backslash character, and the file name is
surrounded by quotes (“):
$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘SAVEINTEGRATIONRESULTS
FILENAME = “E:\\users\\dave\\results.txt”’

SETFIELDVARIABLES
Syntax: $!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘SETFIELDVARIABLES
[optional parameters]’
Description: Identifies variables in your data, such as velocity, pressure and temperature, for use in
analysis.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

CONVECTIONVARSAREMOMENT = <boolean> TRUE Indicates whether the variables
UM designated for Tecplot vector plots
are momentum variables (density *
velocity). If FALSE, then the
vector variables must represent
velocity values.
UVar = <integer> 0 Specify the variable (by number) to
use for the first Vector/Momentum
variable.
VVar = <integer> 0 Specify the variable (by number) to
use for the second Vector/
Momentum variable.
WVar = <integer> 0 Specify the variable (by number) to
use for the second Vector/
Momentum variable.
ID1 = <varid> NOTUSED Identification of the first data set
variable from which the function
will be calculated.
ID2 = <varid> NOTUSED Identification of the second data set
variable from which the function
will be calculated.
VARIABLE1 = <integer> 0 Position of the first variable in the
data set.
VARIABLE2 = <integer> 0 Position of the second variable in
the data set.

239
 SETFLUIDPROPERTIES
Syntax: $!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘SETFLUIDPROPERTIES [optional parameters]’
Description: Set the fluid properties for use by other commands.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

INCOMPRESSIBLE = <boolean> FALSE If TRUE, indicates an
incompressible fluid.
DENSITY = <double> 1.0 For INCOMPRESSIBLE =
TRUE, indicates the density of the
fluid.
SPECIFICHEAT = <double> 2.5 For INCOMPRESSIBLE =
TRUE. The value of the fluid’s
specific heat.
USESPECIFICHEATVAR = <boolean> FALSE For INCOMPRESSIBLE =
TRUE.
SPECIFICHEATVAR = <integer> 1 For INCOMPRESSIBLE = TRUE
and USESPECIFICHEATVAR =
TRUE. The data set variable that
holds the fluid’s specific heat.
GASCONSTANT = <double> 1.0 For INCOMPRESSIBLE =
FALSE. The value of the fluid’s
specific gas constant.
USEGASCONSTANTVAR = <boolean> FALSE For INCOMPRESSIBLE =
FALSE.
GASCONSTANTVAR = <integer> 1 For INCOMPRESSIBLE =
FALSE and
USEGASCONSTANTVAR =
TRUE. The data set variable which
holds the fluid’s specific gas
constant.
GAMMA = <double> 1.4 For INCOMPRESSIBLE =
FALSE. The value of the fluid’s
ratio of specific heats. Must be
between 1 and 5/3.
USEGAMMAVAR = <boolean> FALSE For INCOMPRESSIBLE =
FALSE.
GAMMAVAR = <integer> 1 For INCOMPRESSIBLE =
FALSE and USEGAMMAVAR =
TRUE. The data set variable that
holds the fluid’s ratio of specific
heats.
VISCOSITY = <double> 1.0 The value of the fluid’s dynamic
viscosity.
USEVISCOSITYVAR = <boolean> FALSE
VISCOSITYVAR = <integer> 1 For USEVISCOSITYVAR =
TRUE. The data set variable which
holds the fluid’s dynamic viscosity.
CONDUCTIVITY = <double> 1.0 The value of the fluid’s
conductivity.

240
 SETGEOMETRYANDBOUNDARIES

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

USECONDUCTIVITYVAR = <boolean> FALSE
CONDUCTIVITYVAR = <integer> 1 For USECONDUCTIVITYVAR =
TRUE. The data set variable which
holds the fluid’s conductivity.
Example 1: Set the fluid properties to standard air values in meters/kilograms/seconds units:
$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘SETFLUIDPROPERTIES
GASCONSTANT=287
VISCOSITY=17.8E-6’
CONDUCTIVITY=2.48E-2
Example 2: Set the fluid properties to incompressible with density equal to 1.0 (the default) and
specific heat, viscosity and conductivity taken from data set variables 5, 6 and 7:
$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘SETFLUIDPROPERTIES
INCOMPRESSIBLE=TRUE
SPECIFICHEATOPTION=DATASETVAR
SPECIFICHEATVAR=5
VISCOSITYOPTION=DATASETVAR
VISCOSITYVAR=6’
CONDUCTIVITYOPTION=DATASETVAR
CONDUCTIVITYVAR=7

SETGEOMETRYANDBOUNDARIES
Syntax $!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = ‘CFDAnalyzer3’
COMMAND = ‘SETGEOMETRYANDBOUNDARIES
[optional parameters]’
[RAWDATA
<boundaryrawdata>]
Description Specify whether the data represent an axisymmetric flow solution (2D Cartesian plots
only), whether adjacent zones should be considered to be connected at coincident faces,
and specify zone boundaries and their corresponding boundary conditions.
Each line of the RAWDATA describes one boundary, and appears in the same format as
on the Geometry and Boundaries dialog. For all boundaries, list the boundary condition
and the set of zones, separated by a comma. The index range-type boundary follows this

241
 with the boundary face, the first starting index, the first ending index, the second starting
index and the second ending index. All entries are separated by commas. The boundary
condition is one of INFLOW, OUTFLOW, WALL, SLIPWALL, SYMMETRY,
EXTRAPOLATED. The boundary face is one of I=1, I=IMAX, J=1, J=JMAX,
K=1, and K=KMAX. Refer to 19 - 4, “Setting Geometry and Boundary Options,” in the
Tecplot User’s Manual for more information on boundaries.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

AXISYMMETRIC = <boolean> FALSE Can only be TRUE if the current
plot type is 2D Cartesian. If TRUE,
indicates that the data represents an
axisymmetric solution.
SYMMETRYVAR = <XorY> Y For AXISYMMETRIC = TRUE.
Can be X or Y. Indicates which axis
variable is constant along the axis
of symmetry.
SYMMETRYVALUE = <double> 0.0 For AXISYMMETRIC = TRUE.
Indicates the value of the
SYMMETRYVAR along the axis of
symmetry.
CONNECTZONES = <boolean> TRUE If TRUE, indicates that adjacent
zones should be connected where
boundary faces coincide.
NODETOLERANCE = <double> 1.0E-6 Indicates how close two nodes
must be before they will be
considered coincident for the
purpose of matching zone faces.
DEFAULTBC = <string> EXTRAPOLATED Indicates the boundary condition
that will be applied to all zone
boundary faces not connected to
adjacent zones or covered by zone
boundaries defined by the
RAWDATA section.

Example Specify that the solution data represents an axisymmetric solution about X = 1. Do not
allow adjacent zones to be connected. Identify two zone-type boundaries and one zone,
face and index-range-type boundary:
$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = ‘CFDAnalyzer3’
COMMAND = ‘SETGEOMETRYANDBOUNDARIES
AXISYMMETRIC = TRUE
SYMMETRYVAR = X
SYMMETRYVALUE = 1
CONNECTZONES = FALSE’
RAWDATA
WALL,[2-3]
INFLOW,[4]

242
 SETREFERENCEVALUES

OUTFLOW,[1],I=IMAX,1,10,1,20

SETREFERENCEVALUES
Syntax: $!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘SETREFERENCEVALUES
[optional parameters]’
Description: Specify the reference (free-stream) properties of the solution, identify two variables in the
current data set for use with other commands.
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

RVELOCITY1ID = <string> MACHNUMBER Identification of the first free-
stream velocity component. May
be UVELOCITY or
MACHNUMBER.
RVELOCITY1 = <double> 0.0 The value of the first free-stream
velocity component.
RVELOCITY2ID = <string> ANGLEOFATTAC Identification of the second free-
K stream velocity component. May
be VVELOCITY or
ANGLEOFATTACK.
RVELOCITY2 = <double> 0.0 The value of the second free-stream
velocity component.
RTHERMO1ID = <string> DENSITY Identification of the first free-
stream thermodynamic variable.
May be PRESSURE or
DENSITY.
RTHERMO1 = <double> 1.0 The value of the first free-stream
thermodynamic variable.
RTHERMO2ID = <string> SPEEDOFSOUND Identification of the second free-
stream thermodynamic variable.
May be TEMPERATURE or
SPEEDOFSOUND.
RTHERMO2 = <double> 1.0 The value of the second free-stream
thermodynamic variable.

SETUNSTEADYFLOWOPTIONS
Syntax: $!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = ‘CFDANALYZER3’
COMMAND = ‘SETUNSTEADYFLOWOPTIONS
[SteadyState=<boolean>]

243
 [RAWDATA
<timelevelrawdata>]’
Description: Identifies time levels for unsteady flow, or specifies that the solution is steady-state. If
the flow is unsteady, the solution time levels are specified in the RAWDATA section. The
first line of the RAWDATA section must consist of a single integer indicating the number
of solution time levels. This must be followed by the time levels themselves. Each time
level must be on a separate line and must consist of a floating-point number (the solution
time), as well as one or more integers (the zone numbers for that solution time).
Optional Parameters:

Parameter Syntax Default Notes

STEADYSTATE = <boolean> TRUE If TRUE, indicates that the solution
is steady-state, and the RAWDATA,
if any, is ignored. If FALSE,
indicates that the solution is
unsteady, with time levels
identified in the RAWDATA section.
Example: The unsteady solution contains three solution time levels of two zones each, representing
solution times 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5:
$!ADDONCOMMAND
ADDONID = CFDAnalyzer3
COMMAND = ‘SETUNSTEADYFLOWOPTIONS
STEADYSTATE = FALSE’
RAWDATA
3
.5 1 2
1.0 3 4
1.5 5 6

244
 SETUNSTEADYFLOWOPTIONS

9 - 3 Parameter Assignment Values

Parameter assignments referenced in the previous section using single angle brackets (<>) not
defined in the Tecplot Reference Manual, are defined here. Note that case is not important.

Value Identifier Allowable Values

<coeffsoption> GENERAL, DETAILED
<functionname> IASPECTRATIO, JASPECTRATIO, KASPECTRATIO,
ISTRETCHRATIO, JSTRETCHRATIO, KSTRETCHRATIO,
IFACESKEWNESS, JFACESKEWNESS, KFACESKEWNESS,
CELLDIAGONAL1SKEWNESS, CELLDIAGONAL2SKEWNESS,
IJNORMALSSKEWNESS, JKNORMALSSKEWNESS,
KINORMALSSKEWNESS, MAXNORMALSSKEWNESS,
IORTHOGONALITY, JORTHOGONALITY, KORTHOGONALITY,
MINORTHOGONALITY, INONPLANARITY, JNONPLANARITY,
KNONPLANARITY, MINNOPLANARITY, JACOBIAN, CELLVOLUME,
GRIDIUNITNORMAL, GRIDJUNITNORMAL, GRIDKUNITNORMAL,
DENSITY, STAGDENSITY, PRESSURE, STAGPRESSURE,
PRESSURECOEF, STAGPRESSURECOEF, PITOTPRESSURE,
PITOTPRESSURERATIO, DYNAMICPRESSURE, TEMPERATURE,
STAGTEMPERATURE, ENTHALPY, STAGENTHALPY,
INTERNALENERGY, STAGENERGY, STAGENERGYPERUNITVOL,
KINETICENERGY, UVELOCITY, VVELOCITY, WVELOCITY,
VELOCITYMAG, MACHNUMBER, SPEEDOFSOUND,
CROSSFLOWVELOCITY, EQUIVALENTPOTENTIALVELRAT,
XMOMENTUM, YMOMENTUM, ZMOMENTUM, ENTROPY,
ENTROPYMEASURES1, XVORTICITY, YVORTICITY, ZVORTICITY,
VORTICITYMAG, SWIRL, VELOCITYCROSSVORTICITYMAG,
HELICITY, RELATIVEHELICITY, FILTEREDRELATIVEHELICITY,
SHOCK, FILTEREDSHOCK, PRESSUREGRADIENTMAG,
DENSITYGRADIENTMAG, XDENSITYGRADIENT,
YDENSITYGRADIENT, ZDENSITYGRADIENT, SHADOWGRAPH,
DIVERGENCEOFVELOCITY, SUTHERLANDSLAW,
ISENTROPICDENSRAT, ISENTROPICPRESRAT,
ISENTROPICTEMPRAT, VELOCITY, VORTICITY, MOMENTUM,
PERTURBATIONVELOCITY, VELOCITYCROSSVORTICITY,
PRESSUREGRADIENT, DENSITYGRADIENT, VELOCITYGRADIENT
<gravitydirection> MINUSX, MINUSY, MINUSZ, PLUSX, PLUSY, PLUSZ
<integrationoption> CELLVOLUMES, IPLANES, JPLANES, KPLANES, ILINES,
JLINES, KLINES
<normalizationoption> NONE, MAXIMUMMAGNITUDE, REFERENCEVALUES
<particlefunction> PARTICLEPATH, STREAKLINE
<releaseoption> TIMELEVEL, UNITTIME
<specifyoption> SPECIFY, CALCULATE
<storeoption> PARTICLEVALUES, FLUIDVALUES
<terminationoption> TEMPERATURE, ABLATE
<turbulencefunction> ENERGY, DISSIPATIONRATE, FREQUENCY, VISCOSITY
<variableoption> LENGTHAREAVOLUME, SCALAR, AVERAGE,
MASSWEIGHTEDSCALAR, MASSWEIGHTEDAVERAGE,
WEIGHTEDAVERAGE, SCALARFLOWRATE, MASSFLOWRATE,
MASSWEIGHTEDFLOWRATE, MASSFLOWWEIGHTEDAVERAGE,
FORCESANDMOMENTS, VECTORDOTNORMAL, VECTORAVERAGE,
VECTORDOTTANGENTIAL
<varid> PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE, DENSITY,
STAGNATIONENERGY, MACHNUMBER, NOTUSED
<XorY> X, Y

245
246
 <<anchorpos>>

Chapter 10 Parameter Subcommands

This chapter details secondary or common macro parameter subcommands in Tecplot. These sub-
commands provide a means to access the lower level variables of commands defined in the previ-
ous chapter of this manual. Each subcommand can expand to contain one or more parameters or
subcommands. All parameters within a subcommand are optional.

Items within single angle brackets (< >) are defined in Chapter 11, “Parameter Assignment Values,
Expressions, and Arithmetic and Logical Operators.”

<<anchorpos>>
Description: Assign attributes for positioning of objects.
Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
X = <double> Sets X-value (and THETA-value)
Y = <double> Sets Y-value (and R-value)
Z = <double> Sets Z-value
THETA = <double> Sets THETA-value (and X-value)
R = <double> Sets R-value (and Y-value)
}
Example: Make a square geometry and place it at a certain XY location:
$!ATTACHGEOM
GEOMTYPE = SQUARE
POSITIONCOORDSYS = FRAME
ANCHORPOS
{
X = 2.89124668435
Y = 88.7359084881
}
RAWDATA
5.23430593312

247
 <<areastyle>>
Description: Change settings for the axis grid area.
Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
DRAWGRIDLAST = <boolean> Not available in 3D frame mode.
DRAWBORDER = <boolean>
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
COLOR = <color>
ISFILLED = <boolean>
FILLCOLOR = <color>
USELIGHTSOURCETOFIL = <boolean> Only available for 3D frame mode.
}
Example: Turn on the grid area border for a 2-D plot and change the line thickness to be 2 percent:
$!TWODAXIS
AREASTYLE
{
DRAWBORDER = YES
LINETHICKNESS = 2
}

<<axisdetail>>
Description: Assign attributes for axes.

248
 <<axisline>>

Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
SHOWAXIS = <boolean>
AUTOGRID = <boolean>
ISREVERSED = <boolean>
GRANCHOR = <double>
GRSPACING = <double>
RANGEMIN = <double>
RANGEMAX = <double>
COORDSCALE = <coordscale>
CLIPDATA = <boolean>
VALUEATORIGIN = <double>
VARNUM = <integer>
TICKLABEL <<ticklabeldetail>>
GRIDLINES <<gridlinedetail>>
MINORGRIDLINES <<gridlinedetail>>
TICKS <<ticklabeldetail>>
TITLE <<axistitle>>
AXISLINE <<axisline>>
}
Example: Turn on the axis line, reverse the axis direction, and set the range to go from 0.5 to 1.5 for
the X-axis in a 2-D plot:
$!TWODAXIS
SHOWAXISLINE = TRUE
XDETAIL
{
ISREVERSED = TRUE
RANGEMIN = 0.5
RANGEMAX = 1.5
}

<<axisline>>
Description: Assign attributes for axis lines.

249
 Expands to:

Syntax Default Notes

{
SHOW = <boolean>
SHOWBOTHDIRECTIONS = <boolean> FALSE Non-3D only.
SHOWPERPENDICULAR = <boolean> FALSE Non-3D only.
SHOWOPPOSITEEDGE = <boolean> FALSE 3D only
COLOR = <color>
LINETHICKNESS = <double>
ALIGNMENT <axisalignment>
OPPOSINGAXISVALUE = <double>
POSITION = <double>
ANGLE = <double>
OFFSET = <double>
EDGE = <integer>
}
Example: Change the thickness of the Theta-axis line to 0.8 and the color to red.:
$!POLARAXIS THETADETAIL{AXISLINE{COLOR = RED}}
$!POLARAXIS THETADETAIL{AXISLINE{LINETHICKNESS = 0.8}}

<<axistitle>>
Description: Assign attributes for titles.

250
 <<basicsizelist>>

Expands to:

Syntax Default Notes

{
SHOWONAXISLINE = <boolean> TRUE
SHOWONGRIDBORDERMIN = <boolean> FALSE Non-3D only.
SHOWONGRIDBORDERMAX = <boolean> FALSE Non-3D only.
SHOWONOPPOSITEEDGE = <boolean> FALSE 3D only.
SHOWONALLAXES = <boolean> TRUE Polar R only.
SHOWONVIEWPORTTOP = <boolean> TRUE Polar only.
SHOWONVIEWPORTBOTTOM = <boolean> TRUE Polar only.
SHOWONVIEWPORTLEFT = <boolean> TRUE Polar only.
SHOWONVIEWPORTRIGHT = <boolean> TRUE Polar only.
TITLEMODE = <axistitlemode>
TEXT = <string>
COLOR = <color>
TEXTSHAPE <<textshape>>
OFFSET = <double>
PERCENTALONGLINE = <double> 50%
}
Example: Create a R-axis title, saying “Harmonic Motion” in red, times, size 6 font.:
$!POLARAXIS RDETAIL{TITLE{TEXT = ’Harmonic Motion’}}
$!POLARAXIS RDETAIL{TITLE{OFFSET = -4}}
$!POLARAXIS RDETAIL{TITLE{COLOR = RED}}
$!POLARAXIS RDETAIL{TITLE{TEXTSHAPE{FONT = TIMES}}}
$!POLARAXIS RDETAIL{TITLE{TEXTSHAPE{HEIGHT = 6}}}

<<basicsizelist>>
Description: Assign basic sizes. The units for the values assigned here are dependent on the parent
command. Assignments here do not affect the plot. These assignments are used only to
configure drop-down menus in the interface so the user can make quick selections.

251
 Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
TINY <op> <dexp>
SMALL <op> <dexp>
MEDIUM <op> <dexp>
LARGE <op> <dexp>
HUGE <op> <dexp>
}
Example: Change the medium line pattern length for drop-down menus in the interface to be five
percent:
$!BASICSIZE
LINEPATLENGTHS
{
MEDIUM = 5
}

<<colormapcontrolpoints>>
Description: All contour color maps except the Raw user-defined color map make use of control points
to determine the color distribution. Each control point has a position and a left and right
color. The <<colormapcontrolpoints>> subcommand can contain more than one
CONTROLPOINT subcommand.
Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
CONTROLPOINT <integer> Use <integer> to specify which control point to
modify.
{
<op> <dexp> Positions the control point; 0 sets the position to
COLORMAPFRACTION the lowest index and 1 to the highest index in the
color map.
LEADRGB <<rgb>>
TRAILRGB <<rgb>>
}
}
Example: Change the lead RGB values for control point 2 in the small rainbow color map to be
100, 0, 0:
$!COLORMAP
SMRAINBOW
{

252
 <<colormapoverride>>

CONTROLPOINT 2
{
LEADRGB
{
R = 100
G = 0
B = 0
}
}
}

<<colormapoverride>>
Description: Change settings for a color map override. Color map overrides are used to replace a
specific band in a contour color map with one of the 16 basic colors.
Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
INCLUDE = <boolean>
COLOR = <color>
STARTLEVEL <op> <integer>
ENDLEVEL <op> <integer>
}
Example: Set the color used between contour level number 1 to number 3 to be purple. Use color
map override number 3:
$!GLOBALCONTOUR
COLORMAPFILTER
{
COLORMAPOVERRIDEACTIVE = YES
COLORMAPOVERRIDE 3
{
INCLUDE = YES
COLOR = PURPLE
STARTLEVEL = 1
ENDLEVEL = 3
}
}

253
 <<continuouscolor>>
Description: Change settings for continuous color.
Expands to:

Syntax Notes
CMIN = <double>
CMAX = <double>
Example: Set the continuous color.
$!GLOBALCONTOUR VAR = 4
$!FIELDLAYERS SHOWCONTOUR = YES

$!GLOBALCONTOUR COLORMAPFILTER
{COLORMAPDISTRIBUTION = CONTINUOUS}
$!GLOBALCONTOUR COLORMAPFILTER
{
CONTINUOUSCOLOR
{
CMIN = 0.5
CMAX = 2
}
}
}

<<dialogplacement>>
Description: Describes the placement for a dialog.

254
 <<gridarea>>

Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
ANCHORALIGNMENT = <anchoralignment>
ANCHORHORIZONTALINSIDE = <boolean> ANCHORHORIZONTALINSIDE and
ANCHORVERTICALINSIDE = <boolean> ANCHORVERTICALINSIDE control
how the dialog window is anchored in
both the horizontal and vertical
directions relative to the Tecplot main
window.
MINVISIBILITYPERCENTAGE = <integer> The MINVISIBILITYPERCENTAGE
specifies the minimum percentage of the
dialog, between 1 and 100, that must be
visible within the desktop. This prevents
a dialog from being placed outside of the
visible desktop. Note that not all window
managers allow dialogs to be placed so
that the portions of the dialog are not
visible and in effect enforce a value of
100.
XOFFSET = <integer> XOFFSET and YOFFSET are in pixels.
YOFFSET = <integer> They may be negative, but will be
truncated to the bounding rectangle of
the Tecplot main window.
POSITIONATANCHOR = <positionatanchor> POSITIONATANCHOR specifies when
to place it at the anchor, NEVER, ONCE
(initial launch), or ALWAYS.
}
Example: Set the position of the Colormap dialog to always launch 10 pixels from Tecplot’s
bottom-right corner:
$!INTERFACE
DIALOGPLACEMENT
{
COLORMAPDIALOG
{
ANCHORALIGNMENT = BOTTOMRIGHT
XOFFSET = 10
YOFFSET = 10
PLACEATANCHOR = ALWAYS
}
}

<<gridarea>>
Description: Change settings for the axis grid area.

255
 Expands to:
Syntax Notes
{
DRAWGRIDLAST = <boolean>
DRAWBORDER = <boolean> Not available in 3D.
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
COLOR = <color>
ISFILLED = <boolean>
FILLCOLOR = <color>
USELIGHTSOURCETOFILL = <boolean> Only available for 3D.
LABELSALLSIDES = <boolean>
TICKSALLSIDES = <boolean>
EXTENTS <<rect>> Not available in 3D.
}

Example: Turn on the grid area border for a 2-D plot and change the line thickness to be 2
percent:
$!TWODAXIS
GRIDAREA
{
DRAWBORDER = YES
LINETHICKNESS = 2
}

<<gridlinedetail>>
Description: Change settings for axis gridlines.
Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
COLOR = <color>
SHOW = <boolean>
LINEPATTERN = <linepattern>
PATTERNLENGTH <op> <dexp>
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
CUTTOFF = <double> Theta only.
}
Example: Set the line pattern for minor gridlines for the X-axis in a 3-D plot to be dashed:
$!THREEDAXIS
XDETAIL
{

256
 <<ijk>>

MINORGRIDLINES
{
LINEPATTERN = DASHED
}
}

<<ijk>>
Description: Set an I-, J- or K-index.
Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
I <op> <integer>
J <op> <integer>
K <op> <integer>
}
Example: Set the I- and J-index skip for vectors to 2 for all zones:
$!FIELDMAP
VECTOR
{
IJKSKIP
{
I = 2
J = 2
}
}

<<indexrange>>
Description: Set an index range.

257
 Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
MIN <op> <integer>
MAX <op> <integer>
SKIP <op> <integer>
}
Example: Change the plot so the data set shows I-planes 3, 5, and 7 for zones 1 to 3:
$!FIELDMAP [1-3]
SURFACES
{
SURFACESTOPLOT = IPLANES
IRANGE
{
MIN = 3
MAX = 7
SKIP = 2
}
}

<<numberformat>>
Description: Set the format used to draw a number.

258
 <<papersize>>

Expands to:

Syntax Default Notes

{
FORMATTING = <valueformat>
CUSTOMLABEL = <integer>
DYNAMICLABELNAME = <string> Name of the dynamic
label generator to use
when “Formatting” is
set to “DynamicLabel”
PRECISION <op> <integer>
SHOWDECIMALSONWHOLENUMBERS = <boolean> FALSE
REMOVELEADINGZEROS = <boolean> FALSE
SHOWNEGATIVESIGN = <boolean> TRUE
POSITIVEPREFIX = <string>
POSITIVESUFFIX = <string>
NEGATIVEPREFIX = <string>
NEGATIVESUFFIX = <string>
ZEROPREFIX = <string>
ZEROSUFFIX = <string>
}
Example: Set the number format for axis labels on the X-axis in a 2-D field plot to use the “float”
format with a precision of 3, and add the phrase “DAYS WITHOUT RAIN” after every
positive value:
$!TWODAXIS
XDETAIL
{
TICKLABEL
{
NUMFORMAT
{
FORMATTING = FIXEDFLOAT
PRECISION = 3
POSITIVESUFFIX = “DAYS WITHOUT RAIN”
}
}
}

<<papersize>>
Description: Change dimensions or hardclip offsets for LETTER, DOUBLE, A3, A4,
CUSTOM1 and CUSTOM2 paper sizes.

259
 Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{ All values are in inches.
WIDTH <op> <dexp>
HEIGHT <op> <dexp>
LEFTHARDCLIPOFFSET <op> <dexp>
RIGHTHARDCLIPOFFSET <op> <dexp>
TOPHARDCLIPOFFSET <op> <dexp>
BOTTOMHARDCLIPOFFSET <op> <dexp>
}
Example: Change the left hardclip offset for LETTER size paper to be 0.25 inches:
$!PAPER
PAPERSIZEINFO
{
LETTER
{
LEFTHARDCLIPOFFSET = 0.25
}
}

<<precisegrid>>
Description:Change settings for the precise dot grid.

Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
INCLUDE = <boolean>
COLOR = <color>
SIZE = <double> Size is in centimeters.
}

Example:

Turn on the precise dot grid in an XY-plot:

$!XYAXIS
PRECISEGRID
{
INCLUDE = YES

260
 <<rect>>

<<rect>>
Description: Change settings for a rectangle. The rectangle is defined using two points (X1,Y1) and
(X2,Y2).

Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{ Units are based on the parent command.
X1 <op> <dexp>
Y1 <op> <dexp>
X2 <op> <dexp>
Y2 <op> <dexp>
}

Example: Set the 2-D axis grid area to be positioned 10 percent from all edges of the frame:
$!TWODAXIS
AREASTYLE
{
EXTENTS
{
X1 = 10
Y1 = 10
X2 = 90
Y2 = 90
}
}

<<refscatsymbol>>
Description: Set the attributes for the reference scatter symbol.

261
 Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
SHOW = <boolean>
COLOR = <color>
LINETHICKNESS = <dexp>
ISFILLED = <boolean>
FILLCOLOR = <color>
MAGNITUDE = <dexp>
XYPOS <<xyz>>
SYMBOLSHAPE <<symbolshape>>
}
Example: Change the fill color of the reference scatter symbol to be green:
$!GLOBALSCATTER
REFSCATSYMBOL
{
FILLCOLOR = GREEN
}

<<renderconfig>>
Description: Set the attributes for OpenGL rendering.

262
 <<renderconfig>>

Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
POLYGONOFFSETEXTBIASFACTOR = <double>
STIPPLEALLLINES = <stipplemode> If thin patterned lines are not drawn correctly, set
STIPPLEALLLINES to ALL.
DEPTHBUFFERSIZE = <integer> For low memory graphics cards, the depth buffer
size may need to be reduced.
MINBITSPERRGBPLANE = <integer> Specify the minimum number of bits used for
each of the planes in the image buffer.
DOEXTRADRAWFORLASTPIXEL = <boolean> Sometimes the last pixel for stroked font
characters is not drawn If so, turn
DOEXTRADRAWFORLASTPIXEL on.
MAXSTRIPLENGTH = <integer> Some graphics cards have problems with long
strips. Use MAXSTRIPLENGTH to reduce the
strip length.
MAXPRIMATIVESPERBLOCK = <integer> Some graphics cards have problems with large
numbers of graphics primitives in a single block.
Use MAXPRIMATIVESPERBLOCK to reduce
the number of primitives delivered to the
graphics hardware in a single block.
CONSTANTLYUSESCISSORING = <boolean> Turn ConstantlyUseScissoring on if
you see lines extending outside the borders of
the frame. There is a slight performance penalty
when using this option.
USEQUADSTRIPS = <boolean> If some shaded or contour flooded quads or
triangles do not appear or are black, try turning
this off.
USETRIANGLESTRIPS = <boolean> As with USEQUADSTRIPS, try turning off
USEQUADSTRIPS before turning
USETRIANGLESTIPS off. Turning off both
options will result in reduced performance, but
may help fix errors caused by buggy graphics
card drivers.
TRIANGULATEFILLEDPOLYGONS = <boolean> As with USEQUADSTRIPS, try turning on
TRIANGULATEFILLEDPOLYGONS if you are
still experiencing problems even after turning off
USETRIANGLESTRIPS and
USEQUADSTRIPS.
USEGLCOLORMATERIALFUNCTION = <boolean> Some graphics cards have problems with an
OpenGL’s glColorMaterial function.
Higher performance (especially for continuous
contour flooded plots) can be achieved when it is
used. However, it may need to be turned off if
you are experiencing problems.
MAXTEXTURESIZE = <integer>
FORCESMOOTHSHADINGFORLIGHTING = <boolean>
ADJUSTRECTANGLERIGHTANDBOTTOM = <boolean>
}
Example: Force all line drawing to include the last point in the line. Also, make the size of the
depth buffer to be at least 32 bits.
$!INTERFACE

263
 OPENGLCONFIG
{
SCREENRENDERING
{
DOEXTRADRAWFORLASTPIXEL = TRUE
DEPTHBUFFERSIZE = 32
}
}

<<rgb>>
Description: Set a color value by assigning values to its red, green, and blue components.
Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
R <op> <integer>
G <op> <integer>
B <op> <integer>
}
Example: Change the CUSTOM3 basic color to be light green:
$!BASICCOLOR
CUSTOM 3
{
R = 80
G = 255
B = 80
}

<<shademap>>
Description: Map colors on the screen to shades of gray for monochrome hardcopy output.

264
 <<symbolshape>>

Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{ Shade values can range from 0 (black) to 100
BLACKSHADE = <dexp> (white).
REDSHADE = <dexp>
GREENSHADE = <dexp>
BLUESHADE = <dexp>
CYANSHADE = <dexp>
YELLOWSHADE = <dexp>
PURPLESHADE = <dexp>
WHITESHADE = <dexp>
CUSTOM1SHADE = <dexp>
CUSTOM2SHADE = <dexp>
CUSTOM3SHADE = <dexp>
CUSTOM4SHADE = <dexp>
CUSTOM5SHADE = <dexp>
CUSTOM6SHADE = <dexp>
CUSTOM7SHADE = <dexp>
CUSTOM8SHADE = <dexp>
}
Example: Make blue flooded regions map to 50 percent gray:
$!PRINTSETUP
MONOFLOODMAP
{
BLUESHADE = 50
}

<<symbolshape>>
Description: Set a symbol shape. Symbols can be a geometric shape (circle, square, and so forth) or an
ASCII character.

265
 Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
ISASCII = <boolean>
ASCIISHAPE
{
USEBASEFONT = <boolean>
FONTOVERRIDE = <font>
CHAR = <string>
}
GEOMSHAPE = <geomshape>
}
Example: Change the symbol shape for symbols drawn with line map 3 to use circles:
$!LINEMAP[3]
SYMBOLS
{
SYMBOLSHAPE
{
ISASCII = FALSE
GEOMSHAPE = CIRCLE
}
}

<<textbox>>
Description: Change settings for the optional box around a text label.
Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
BOXTYPE = <textboxtype>
MARGIN <op> <dexp>
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
COLOR = <color>
FILLCOLOR = <color>
}
Example: See example for <<textbox>>.

266
 <<textshape>>

<<textshape>>
Description: Change settings related to text font and character height.
Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
FONT = <font>
SIZEUNITS = <sizeunits>
HEIGHT <op> <dexp>
}
Example: Add a text label in the center of the frame using Times Roman font. Make the text height
12 point. Include a box around the text with a line thickness of one percent:
$!ATTACHTEXT
XYPOS {
X = 50
Y = 50
}
TEXTSHAPE
{
FONT = TIMES
}
BOX
{
BOXTYPE = HOLLOW
LINETHICKNESS = 1
}
TEXT = ’Hi Mom’

<<ticklabeldetail>>
Description: Change settings for the text used to label axis tick marks.

267
 Expands to:

Syntax Default Notes

{
SHOWONAXISLINE = <boolean> TRUE
SHOWONGRIDBORDERMIN = <boolean> FALSE Non-3D only.
SHOWONGRIDBORDERMAX = <boolean> FALSE Non-3D only.
SHOWONOPPOSITEEDGE = <boolean> FALSE 3D only.
SHOWONALLAXES = <boolean> TRUE Polar R only.
SHOWATAXISINTERSECTION = <boolean>
SKIP = <integer>
ERASEBEHINDLABELS = <boolean>
NUMFORMAT <<numberformat>>
TEXTSHAPE <<textshape>> Not allowed to change size
units parameter.
OFFSET <op> <dexp>
LABELALIGNMENT = <labelalignment>
ANGLE <op> <dexp>
COLOR = <color>
}
Example:

Change the color for X-axis tick mark labels in a 2-D plot to be red:
$!TWODAXIS
XDETAIL
{
TICKLABEL
{
COLOR = RED
}
}

<<tickmarkdetail>>
Description: Assign attributes for axis tick marks.

268
 <<volumeobjectstoplot>>

Expands to:

Syntax Default Notes

{
SHOWONAXISLINE = <boolean> TRUE
SHOWONGRIDBORDERMIN = <boolean> FALSE Non-3D only.
SHOWONGRIDBORDERMAX = <boolean> FALSE Non-3D only.
SHOWONOPPOSITEEDGE = <boolean> FALSE 3D only.
SHOWONALLAXES = <boolean> TRUE Polar R only.
TICKDIRECTION = <tickdirection>
LENGTH <op> <dexp>
LINETHICKNESS <op> <dexp>
NUMMINORTICKS = <integer>
MINORLENGTH = <double>
MINORLINETHICKNESS = <double>
}
Example: Set the tick mark length to 2 percent for the second Y-axis in an XY-plot:
$!XYLINEAXIS
YDETAIL 2
{
TICKS
{
LENGTH = 2
SHOWONGRIDBORDERMIN = TRUE
}
}

<<volumeobjectstoplot>>
Description: Specifies what volume objects are to be displayed.
Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
SHOWISOSURFACES = <boolean>
SHOWSLICES = <boolean>
SHOWSTREAMTRACES = <boolean>
}
Example: $!FIELD
VOLUMEMODE

269
 {
VOLUMEOBJECTSTOPLOT
{
SHOWISOSURFACES = NO
SHOWSLICES = YES
SHOWSTREAMTRACES = YES
}
}

<<xy>>
Description: Change settings for an (X,Y) position.
Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
X <op> <dexp>
Y <op> <dexp>
}
Example: See the XYPOS parameter in the example for <<textshape>>.

<<xyz>>
Description: Change settings for an (X, Y, Z) triplet.

Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
X <op> <dexp>
Y <op> <dexp>
Z <op> <dexp>
}
Example: Change the scale factor on the Z-axis to be 0.5:
$!GLOBALTHREED
AXISSCALEFACT
{

270
 <<zebrashade>>

Z = 0.5
}

<<zebrashade>>
Description: Change zebra shading attributes.
Expands to:

Syntax Notes
{
INCLUDE = <boolean>
ISTRANSPARENT = <boolean>
COLOR = <color>
}
Example: Turn on zebra shading and make the zebra shade color to be black:
$!GLOBALCONTOUR
COLORMAPFILTER
{
ZEBRA
{
INCLUDE = TRUE
COLOR = BLACK
}
}

271
272
Chapter 11 Parameter Assignment
Values, Expressions, and
Arithmetic and Logical
Operators

11 - 1 Assignment Value Table

Parameter assignments referenced in the previous chapters using single angle brackets (< >) are
defined here. (Case is not important.)

Table 11-1. Parameter Assignment Values.

Value Identifier Allowable Values

<altmousebuttonmode> REDRAW, REVERTTOSELECT
<addonstyle> V7STANDARD,V7ACTIVEX
TOPLEFT, TOPCENTER, TOPRIGHT,
<anchoralignment> MIDDLELEFT, MIDDLECENTER, MIDDLERIGHT,
BOTTOMLEFT, BOTTOMCENTER, BOTTOMRIGHT
<anglespec> RADIANS, DEGREES
<arrowheadattachment> NONE, ATBEGINNING, ATEND, ATBOTHENDS
<arrowheadstyle> PLAIN, FILLED, HOLLOW
WITHVIEWPORT, WITHOPPOSINGAXISVALUE, WITHGRIDMIN,
WITHGRIDMAX, WITHSPECIFICANGLE, WITHGRIDAREATOP,
<axisalignment> WITHGRIDAREABOTTOM, WITHGRIDAREALEFT,
WITHGRIDAREARIGHT.
<axismode> INDEPENDENT, XYDEPENDENT, XYZDEPENDENT
<axistitlemode> USEVARNAME, USETEXT
<axistitleposition> LEFT, CENTER, RIGHT
<backingstoremode> NOTUSED, REALTIMEUPDATE, PERIODICUPDATE
<bitdumpregion> CURRENTFRAME, ALLFRAMES, WORKAREA
<boolean> YES, NO, TRUE, FALSE, ON, OFF
<borderlocation> IBORDER, JBORDER, KBORDER
<boundarycondition> FIXED, ZEROGRADIENT, ZERO2ND
<boxtype> NONE, FILLED, HOLLOW

273
 Table 11-1. Parameter Assignment Values.

Value Identifier Allowable Values

<charactersequence> One or more printable characters.
<clipping> CLIPTOVIEWPORT, CLIPTOFRAME
BLACK, RED, GREEN, BLUE, CYAN, YELLOW, PURPLE, WHITE, CUSTOM1
<color>
to CUSTOM56, MULTI1, MULTI2, MULTI3, MULTI4, RGBCOLOR
<colormap> <standardcolormap>, WILD, USERDEF, RAWUSERDEF
<colormapcontrol> COPYSTANDARD, REDISTRIBUTECONTROLPOINTS, RESETTOFACTORY
<colormapdistribution> BANDED, CONTINUOUS
<compressiontype> BESTSPEED, SMALLESTSIZE
<conditionalexp> <dexp> <relop> <dexp> or <string> <relop> <string>.
<constrainintop2mode> USEVAR, USECONSTANT
<contourcoloring> RGB, GROUP1, GROUP2, GROUP3, GROUP4
<contourlabelaction> ADD, DELETEALL
<contourlabellocation> CONTOURLEVELS, INCREMENT, COLORMAPDIVISIONS
<contourlevelaction> ADD, DELETENEAREST, DELETERANGE, NEW, RESET
<contourlinemode> USEZONELINETYPE, SKIPTOSOLID, DASHNEGATIVE
<contourtype> LINES, FLOOD, BOTHLINESANDFLOOD, AVERAGECELL, PRIMARYVALUE
<coordscale> LINEAR, LOG
<coordsys> GRID, FRAME, GRID3D
<curveinfomode> CURVEDETAILS, CURVEPOINTS
LINESEG, CURVFIT, SPLINE, PARASPLINE, ETORFIT, POWERFIT,
<curvetype>
EXTENDED
<datatype> SINGLE, DOUBLE, LONGINT, SHORTINT, BYTE, BIT
<dataloadstrategy> AUTO, HEAP
<derivpos> SIMPLE, ATPOINT, COMPLEX, ATPOINTB2

274
 Table 11-1. Parameter Assignment Values.

Value Identifier Allowable Values

ADVANCED3DCONTROL, AXISEDIT, COLORMAP,
CONTOUR, CREATE1DLINE, CREATECIRCULARZONE,
CREATERECTANGULARZONE,
CREATEZONEFROMPOLYLINES,
CREATEZONEFROMVALUES, CURVEINFO, DATAINFO,
DATALABELS, DATASPREADSHEET, DELETEVARIABLES,
DELETEZONES, DEPTHBLANKING, DUPLICATEZONE,
EQUATION, EXPORT, EXTRACTCONTOURLINES,
EXTRACTDISCRETEPOINTS, EXTRACTFEBOUNDARY,
EXTRACTISOSURFACES,
EXTRACTPOINTSFROMGEOMETRY,
EXTRACTPOINTSFROMPOLYLINE,
EXTRACTSLICEFROMPLANE, EXTRACTSLICES,
EXTRACTSTREAMTRACES, EXTRACTSUBZONE,
IJKBLANKING, IMPORT,
INVERSEDISTANCEINTERPOLATION, ISOSURFACES,
KRIGINGINTERPOLATION, LIGHTSOURCE,
<dialogname> LINEARINTERPOLATION, LINEMAPLEGEND, LOADDATA,
MACROPLAY, MACRORECORD, MACROVIEWER,
MIRRORZONE, NEWLAYOUT, OPENLAYOUT,
ORDERFRAMES, PAPERSETUP, POLARDRAWINGOPTIONS,
PRINT, PROBEAT, PROBE, QUICKEDIT,
QUICKMACROPANEL, RESET3DAXES, RGBCOLORLEGEND,
RGBCOLORVARSANDRANGE, ROTATE2DDATA,
RULERGRID, SAVEAS, SAVE, SCATTERLEGEND,
SCATTERREFERENCESYMBOL, SCATTERSIZEANDFONT,
SLICES, SMOOTH, SPATIALVARS, STREAMTRACES,
STYLELINKING, THREEDAXISLIMITS,
THREEDORIENTATIONAXIS, THREEDVIEWDETAILS,
THREEDVIEWROTATE, TRANSFORMCOORDINATES,
TRANSLATEMAGNIFY, TRIANGULATE,
TWODDRAWORDER, VALUEBLANKING,
VECTORARROWHEADS, VECTORLENGTH,
VECTORREFERENCEVECTOR, VECTORVARS, WRITEDATA,
ZONEMAPSTYLE
<derivpos> SIMPLE, ATPOINT, COMPLEX
<dexp> <double>, ((<expression>))
<double> Valid floating point value.
<draworder> BEFOREDATA, AFTERDATA
<drift> NONE, LINEAR, QUAD
<edgesetting> NONE, MIN, MAX, BOTH
<edgetype> BORDERS, CREASES, BORDERSANDCREASES
<epspreviewimagetype> NONE, TIFF, EPSIV2, FRAME

275
 Table 11-1. Parameter Assignment Values.

Value Identifier Allowable Values

<errorbartype> UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, VERT, HORZ, CROSS
RASTERMETAFILE, TIFF, SUNRASTER, XWINDOWS, PSIMAGE, PS, EPS,
<exportformat> WINDOWSMETAFILE, BMP, PNG, AVI, JPEG
<expression> See Figure 11 - 2, “Assignment Value Expressions,” on page 280.
<fielddatatype> FLOAT, DOUBLE

<fillmode> NONE, USESPECIFICCOLOR, USEBACKGROUNDCOLOR,

USELINECOLOR
HELV, HELVBOLD, TIMES, TIMESBOLD, TIMESITALIC, TIMESITALICBOLD,
<font>
COURIER, COURIERBOLD, GREEK, MATH, USERDEF
<frameaction> DELETETOP, FITALLTOPAPER, POP, POPATPOSITION, PUSHTOP
<framecollection> ALL, PICKED
<framemode> THREED, TWOD, XY, SKETCH
XINDEPENDENT, YINDEPENDENT, THETAINDEPENDENDT,
<functiondependency>
RINDEPENDENT
SQUARE, DEL, GRAD, RTRI, LTRI, DIAMOND, CIRCLE, CUBE,
<geomshape> OCTAHEDRON, SPHERE, POINT

<geomtype> GEOMIMAGE, LINESEGS, RECTANGLE, SQUARE, CIRCLE, ELLIPSE,

LINESEGS3D
<ijkblankmode> INTERIOR, EXTERIOR
<ijklines> I, J, K
<ijkplane> I, J, K
<imagestyle> ONEPERFRAME, WORKSPACEONLY
<imagetype> LOSSLESS, JPEG, 256COLOR
integer constants or variables containing an integer.
<integer>
NOTE expressions that logically result in integer are not currently supported.
<interpptselection> ALLPOINTS, NEARESTNPOINTS, OCTANTNPOINTS
ALLCOUNTOURLEVELS, ONESPECIFICVALUE, TWOSPECIFICVALUES,
<isosurfacesselection>
THREESPECIFICVALUES
<krigdrift> NONE, LINEAR, QUAD
<labelalignment> BYANGLE, ALONGAXIS, PERPENDICULARTOAXIS
<labeltype> INDEX, VARVALUE, XANDYVARVALUEa
<lightingeffect> PANELED, GOURAUD
<linearinterpmode> DONTCHANGE, SETTOCONST
<linepattern> SOLID, DASHED, DASHDOT, DOTTED, LONGDASH, DASHDOTDOT
<linktype> WITHINFRAME, BETWEENFRAMES
<macrofunctionvar> |<integer>|

276
 Table 11-1. Parameter Assignment Values.

Value Identifier Allowable Values

AXISMAXX, AXISMAXY, AXISMAXZ, AXISMINX, AXISMINY, AXISMINZ,
COLORMAPDYNAMIC, ENDSLICEPOS, FRAMEMODE, IS3DV, LOOP,
MACROFILEPATH, MAXB, MAXC, MAXI, MAXJ, MAXK, MAXS, MAXU,
<macrointrinsic> MAXV, MAXVnn, MAXW, MAXX, MAXY, MAXZ, MINB, MINC, MINS, MINU,
MINV, MINVnn, MINW, MINX, MINY, MINZ, NUMFRAMES, NUMPLANES,
NUMVARS, NUMWIN, NUMXYMAPS, NUMZONES, OPSYS, PLATFORM,
SLICEPLANETYPE, SOLUTIONTIME, STARTSLICEPOS, TECHOME,
TECPLOTVERSION
<macrointrinsicvar> |<macrointrinsic>|
<macroparameter> <charactersequence>, <string>
<macroparameterlist> (, <macroparameter>, <macroparameter>, ...)
<macrouserdefvar> |<charactersequence>|
<macrovar> <macrointrinsicvar>, <macrouserdefvar>, <macrofunctionvar>
<meshtype> WIREFRAME, OVERLAY, HIDDENLINE
<mirrorvar> ‘X’, ‘Y’, ‘Z’
<mousebuttonclick> REDRAW, REVERTTOSELECT, NOOP
NOOP, ZOOMDATA, ZOOMPAPER, TTRANSLATEDATA, TRANSLATEPAPER,
<mousebuttondrag> ROLLERBALLROTATE, SPHERICALROTATE, XROTATE, YROTATE,
ZROTATE, TWISTROTATE
<mousemode> ADJUST, SELECT
<noncurrentframedrawlevel> FULL, TRACE
<objectalign> BOTTOM, CENTER, TOP, LEFTJUSTIFY, RIGHTJUSTIFY
<op> =, -=, +=, *=, /=
<originresetlocation> DATACENTER, VIEWCENTER
<palette> MONOCHROME, PENPLOTTER, COLOR
HALFCENTIMETER, ONECENTIMETER, TWOCENTIMETERS,
<papergridspacing> QUARTERINCH, HALFINCH, ONEINCH, TENPOINTS,
TWENTYFOURPOINTS, THIRTYSIXPOINTS, FIFTYPOINTS
ONECENTIMETER, TWOCENTIMETERS, ONEINCH, FIFTYPOINTS,
<paperrulerspacing>
SEVENTYTWOPOINTS
<papersize> LETTER, DOUBLE, A4, A3, CUSTOM1, CUSTOM2
ADD, ADDALL, ADDALLINREGION, CLEAR, COPY, CUT, EDIT, MAGNIFY,
<pickaction>
PASTE, POP, PUSH, SETMOUSEMODE, SHIFT
AUTOMATIC, NONCURRENTALWAYSAPPROX,
<plotapproximationmode> ALLFRAMESALWAYSAPPROX
<plottype> CARTESIAN3D, CARTESIAN2D, XYLINE, POLARLINE, SKETCH
ALLDIRECTIONS, BOTTOM, LEFT, LEFTRIGHT, LOWERLEFT,
<pointerstyle> LOWERRIGHT, RIGHT, TOP, UPDOWN, UPPERLEFT, UPPERRIGHT
<pointselection> ALLPOINTS, NEARESTNPOINTS, OCTANTNPOINTS

277
 Table 11-1. Parameter Assignment Values.

Value Identifier Allowable Values

<pointstoplot> SURFACESONLY, ALL
<positionatanchor> ONCE,NEVER,ALWAYS
<printerdriver> PS, EPS
<printrendertype> VECTOR, IMAGE
<quickcolormode> LINECOLOR, FILLCOLOR, TEXTCOLOR
<readdataoption> NEW, APPEND, REPLACE

<relop> <, >, <=, >=, ==, != (not equal to), <> (not equal to). GREATERTHAN, LESSTHAN,
EQUALTO, NOTEQUALTO
TEXTUREFILTER, LANCZOS2FILTER, LANCZOS3FILTER, BOXFILTER,
<resizefilter> TRIANGLEFILTER, BELLFILTER, BSPLINEFILTER, CUBICFILTER,
MITCHELFILTER, GAUSSIANFILTER
<rgblegendorientation> RGB, GBR, BRG, RBG, BGR, GRB
<rgbmode> SPECIFYRGB, SPECIFYRG, SPECIFYRB, SPECIFYGB
X, Y, Z, ALPHA, THETA, PSI, HORZROLLERBALL, VERTROLLERBALL,
<rotateaxis>
TWIST, ABOUTVECTOR
<rotateoriginlocation> VIEWER, DEFINEDORIGIN
<rotationmode> XYZAXIS, SPHERICAL, ROLLERBALL
<scope> LOCAL, GLOBAL
<set> [,<setspecifier>, <setspecifier>, ..., ]
<setspecifier> <integer>, <integer>-<integer>[:<integer>]
<shadetype> SOLIDCOLOR, PANELED, GOURAUD, COLOREDPANELED,
<sidebarsizing> MAXOFALL, DYNAMIC
<sizeunits> GRID, FRAME, POINT
<skipmode> BYINDEX, BYFRAMEUNITS
VOLUMEZONES, SURFACEZONES, SURFACESOFVOLUMEZONES,
<slicesource> LINEARZONES
<slicesurface> XPLANES, YPLANES, ZPLANES, IPLANES, JPLANES, KPLANES
<sortby> NONE, BYDEPENDENDTVAR, BYINDEPENDENTVAR, BYSPECIFICVAR
<specifyrgb> SPECIFYRGB, SPECIFYRG, SPECIFYRB, SPECIFYGB
<spherescatterrenderquality> LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH.
<standardcolormap> SMRAINBOW, LGRAINBOW, MODERN, GRAYSCALE, TWOCOLOR
<stipplemode> ALL, CRITICAL, NONE
<streamdirection> FORWARD, REVERSE, BOTH
SURFACELINE, VOLUMELINE, VOLUMERIBBON, VOLUMEROD,
<streamtype> TWODLINE

278
 Table 11-1. Parameter Assignment Values.

Value Identifier Allowable Values

<string> "<charactersequence>", '<charactersequence>'b
<stylebase> FACTORY, CONFIG
<subboundary> ADD, ADDONLY, ALL, REMOVE
<sunrasterformat> OLDFORMAT, STANDARD, BYTEENCODED

<surfacestoplot> BOUNDARYFACES, EXPOSEDCELLFACES, IPLANES, JPLANES, KPLANES,

IJPLANES, JKPLANES, IKPLANES, IJKPLANES, ALL
LEFT, CENTER, RIGHT, MIDLEFT, MIDCENTER, MIDRIGHT, HEADLEFT,
<textanchor>
HEADCENTER, HEADRIGHT
<textboxtype> NONE, FILLED, HOLLOW
<threedviewchangedrawlevel FULL, TRACE
>
<thetamode> DEGREES, RADIANS, ARBITRARY
<tickdirection> IN, OUT, CENTERED
<tiffbyteorder> INTEL, MOTOROLA
<transformation> POLARTORECT, SPHERICALTORECT, RECTTOPOLAR, RECTTOSPHERICAL
<translucency> Valid integer from one to 99.
<twoddraworder> BYZONE, BYLAYER
<unloadstrategy> AUTO, NEVERUNLOAD, MINIMIZEMEMORYUSE
<valueblankcellmode> ALLCORNERS, ANYCORNER, PRIMARYCORNER

<valueblankrelop> LESSTHANOREQUAL, GREATERTHANOREQUAL, NOTEQUALTO,

GREATERTHAN, LESSTHAN, EQUALTO
INTEGER, FLOAT, EXPONENT, BESTFLOAT, RANGEBESTFLOAT,
<valueformat>
SUPERSCRIPT, CUSTOMLABEL
<valuelocation> AUTO, NODAL, CELLCENTERED
<varloadmode> BYNAME, BYPOSITION
<vectortype> TAILATPOINT, HEADATPOINT, MIDATPOINT, HEADONLY
FIT, ZOOM, DATAFIT, AXISFIT, SETMAGNIFICATION,
<viewmode>
CENTER, TRANSLATE, LAST, COPY, PASTE, PUSH
FITSELECTEDFRAMES, FITALLFRAMES, FITPAPER,
<workspaceviewmode> MAXIMIZE, LASTVIEW, ZOOM, TRANSLATE
<xyaxis> ’X’, ’Y’

a. Available in XY-plots only

b. The only difference in using single quotes vs. double quotes for strings is that single quotes prevent the
processing of the backslash character “\” (that is, \n inserts a newline, \\ inserts the backslash itself).

279
 11 - 2 Assignment Value Expressions
Simple values are literal constants such as 1, 3, 3.5, 2.5e17. Complex expressions are identified by
an equation surrounded by '(' and ')' delimiters.

Expressions can be used within any layout or macro file and support all of the common operators
and functions familiar to most C and FORTRAN programmers.

Arithmetic operators include the common multiply, divide, add, and subtract (*, /, + and -), as
well as a few others (^ and **) that are worth noting. The raise operator (^, or **) returns the
result of raising the first number by the second.

Expressions may also contain macro variables and an assortment of useful functions and constants.
Following are tables of supported functions and constants and a short explanation for each:

Table 11-1. Functions supported by Tecplot.

abs(x) Absolute value of x.

acos(x) Arc cosine of x between -1 and 1. Return an angle between 0 and p radians.

asin(x) Arc sine of x between -1 and 1. Return an angle between -p/2 and p/2 radians.

atan(x) Arc tangent of x. Return an angle between -p and p radians.

atan2(y,x) Arc tangent of y ⁄ x . Return an angle between -p and p radians.

ceil(x) Smallest integer larger than or equal to x.

cos(x) Cosine of x in radians.

cosh(x) Hyperbolic cosine of x.

exp(x) Exponential of x.

floor(x) Largest integer smaller than or equal to x.

frac(x) Fractional part of x.

int(x) Integer part of x.

log(x) Natural logarithm of x.

log10(x) Logarithm to the base 10 of x.

max(x,y) Larger of x or y.

min(x,y) Smaller of x or y.

pow(x,y) xy.

sin(x) Sine of x in radians.

sinh(x) Hyperbolic sine of x.

280
 Table 11-1. Functions supported by Tecplot.

sqrt(x) Square root of x.

tan(x) Tangent of x in radians.

tanh(x) Hyperbolic tangent of x.

Constants are also supported, as listed in the following table.

Table 11-2. Constants supported by Tecplot.

BASEe Natural logarithm base e.

DEG Degrees per radian.

GAMMA Euler-Mascheroni constant.

PHI Golden ratio: ( 5 + 1 ) ⁄ 2 .

PI p.

RAD Radians per degree.

The following table shows the operator precedence and associativity. Operators with higher prece-
dence are listed in the higher rows of the table, while operators that are in the same row have the
same precedence. The associativity describes how an operator associates with its operand.

Table 11-3. Operator precedence and associativity.

Operator Type Operators Associativity

Expression ( ) Left to right.

Power ^ ** Right to left.

Unary - + ! Right to left.

Multiplicative * / Left to right.

Additive + - Left to right.

Relational > >= < <= == != Left to right.

Logical AND && Left to right.

Logical OR || Left to right.

Conditional ? : Right to left.

Unlike C, relational expressions do not evaluate to 0 or 1, instead, they evaluate to true or false. As
such, they may only be used with other logical operators, or with the conditional operator.

281
 Examples of common expressions used in the Tecplot macro language follow (note that all expres-
sions evaluate to a simple, <dexp>, value):

$!If (|b|^2) > (4*|a|*|c|)

$!If |a| > 0.0
$!VarSet |root1| = (-|b| + sqrt(|b|^2 - 4*|a|*|c|) /
(2*|a|))
$!VarSet |root2| = (-|b| - sqrt(|b|^2 - 4*|a|*|c|) /
(2*|a|))
$!EndIf
$!EndIf

$!VarSet |area| = (PI*|r|**2)

In addition to the more common operators mentioned above, some relational and logical operators
are provided to form compound expressions. A relation, <relation>, may be constructed and used
in conjunction with the conditional operator (? and :) to form compound expressions. The condi-
tional operator (? and :) has the following syntax:

<relation> ? <expression if true> : <expression if false>

where:

• <relation> is a conditional statement that evaluates to true or false, and is

formed by any two subexpressions which are compared to one another with one
of the relational operators (>, >=, <, <=, ==, !=) in combination with zero
or more of the logical operators: logical Not (!), logical And (&&), and
logical Or (||).

• <expression if true> is the <expression> that is evaluated if the <relation>

condition evaluates to TRUE.

• <expression if false> is the <expression> that is evaluated if the <relation>

condition evaluates to FALSE.
Examples of compound expressions used in the Tecplot macro language follow (note that all com-
pound expressions evaluate to a simple, <dexp>, value):

$!VarSet |value| = (|stress| > |cutoff| ? |cutoff| : |stress|)

$!VarSet |value| = (|x| < 1.5 && |y| <= 5.5 ? |x|^6 : (|x|+|y|)^3.2)
$!VarSet |root| = (|b|^2 > 4*|a|*|c| && |a| > 0.0 ? -|b| + sqrt(|b|^2 - 4*|a|*|c|) /
(2*|a|) : 0)
It is important not to confuse an expression's relation, <relation>, that controls the evaluation of a
compound expression, with the conditional expression, <conditionalexp>, that controls the execu-
tion of control commands such as $!IF and $!WHILE.

282
For example, the following is a valid macro command since it has a valid expression syntax and a
valid control command syntax:

$!If |a| > (PI*|r|^2)

...
$!EndIf
The following is also a valid macro command because, like the last example, it has a valid expres-
sion syntax and a valid control command syntax:

$!If (|a|^2) == (|b| > 5 ? 1 : 0)

...
$!EndIf
The following is not a valid macro command since it has an invalid expression syntax and conse-
quently an invalid control command syntax:

$!If (|a| > PI*|r|^2)

...
$!EndIf
As with the invalid example above, if Tecplot encounters a relation, <relation>, within an expres-
sion, <expression> (enclosed within ( and ) delimiters), it expects to find the conditional operator
(? and :) and the two required expressions following the specified relation.

283
284
Chapter 12 Raw Data

Some macro commands contain a “raw data” section. A raw data section is defined by using the
keyword RAWDATA followed by the raw data values unique to the macro command. Most raw data
sections start with a single count value which represents the number of blocks of raw data followed
by the blocks of raw data themselves. The following table lists the raw data sections found in Tec-
plot macros.

Value
Type(s)
Raw Data Name per Block Notes
<addoncommandrawdata> <string> Each line of the RAWDATA section contains an arbitrary text
string. The only requirement is that the character sequence “$!”
(a dollar sign followed by an exclamation mark) cannot appear
anywhere in the section. Comments can be inserted by using #
(the octothorp). If encountered, everything to the right of the #
(including the # itself) will be ignored.
<colormaprawdata> <integer> Red.
<integer> Green.
<integer> Blue.
<contourlevelrawdata> <dexp> Contour level.
<geometryrawdata> <xyrawdata> Each block contains a block of <xyrawdata>, which forms a
(Line segment geometry) single polyline within the geometry.
<geometryrawdata> <xyzrawdata> Each block contains a block of <xyzrawdata>, which forms a
(3D Line segment) single polyline within the geometry.
<geometryrawdata> (circle) <dexp>a Only one value supplied. Value is the radius.

<geometryrawdata> (ellipse) <dexp> a Two values supplied. Values are RX and RY.
<dexp>a
<geometryrawdata> <dexp>a Two values supplied. Values are width and height.
(rectangle)
<dexp>a
<geometryrawdata> (square) <dexp>a Only one value supplied. Value is the width.

<xyrawdata> <dexp> X.
<dexp> Y.
<xyzrawdata> <dexp> X.
<dexp> Y.
<dexp> Z.

a. A count value does not precede the raw data in this case.

Examples:

285
 Example 1: Raw data for a circle with radius equal to 1.7:
RAWDATA
1.7

Example 2: Raw data for a line segment geometry with two segments. Segment 1 has 4 points and
segment 2 has 3 points:
RAWDATA
2
4
1.5 2.2
1.7 2.4
1.9 2.8
2.1 3.0
3
1.1 1.7
1.2 1.9
1.3 2.0

Example 3: Raw data to define five contour levels:

RAWDATA
5
1.5
2.6
3.7
4.9
5.5

Example 4: Raw data to define three RGB values:

RAWDATA
3
0 0 0
45 100 100
90 200 200

Example 5: For greater control of contour levels in a macro, set the levels with
RAWDATA. This example allows you to choose the number of levels, then sets
new levels based on the minimum and maximum values of the current contour
variable.

$!FIELDLAYERS SHOWCONTOUR = YES

$!Drawgraphics No
$!GLOBALCONTOUR 1 VAR = 4
$!PromptforTextString |numlevels|

286
 Instructions = "Enter the number of contour levels."
$!Varset |Delta| = ((|maxc| - |minc|)/|numlevels|)

$!CONTOURLEVELS DELETERANGE
CONTOURGROUP = 1
RANGEMIN = |minc|
RANGEMAX = |maxc|
$!Varset |newlevel| = (|minc| + |delta|/2)

$!Loop |numlevels|
$!CONTOURLEVELS ADD
CONTOURGROUP = 1
RAWDATA
1
|newlevel|

$!Varset |newlevel| += |Delta|

$!Endloop
$!Drawgraphics Yes
$!REDRAW

287
288
Chapter 13 Macro Language
Limitations

The only macro control commands allowed in stylesheets and layout files are:

$!VARSET and $!REMOVEVAR

The only SetValue command allowed in color map files is:

$!COLORMAP
Layout files, stylesheet files and colormap files cannot contain any of the following commands:

$!OPENLAYOUT
$!READSTYLESHEET
$!LOADCOLORMAP
Only SetValue macro commands are allowed in the Tecplot configuration file.

The $!LIMITS command can be used only in the Tecplot configuration file.

The $!FIELDMAP and $!LINEMAP commands may be used in the configuration file but they may
not specify an individual zone or line map. This special use of $!FIELD and $!LINEMAP allows
you to change the default attributes for all zones and line mappings when they are initialized in Tec-
plot.

The file name referenced in the $!INCLUDEMACRO command cannot use Tecplot macro variables.

Size limitations:

Maximum number of nested macro function calls 10

Maximum number of nested macro loops 10
Maximum number of nested While-EndWhile loops Unlimited.
Maximum number of nested If-EndIf loops Unlimited.
Maximum number of nested macro includes 5
Maximum number of macro commands 200,000
Maximum number of parameters per macro function 20

289
 Maximum number of characters in macro variable name 31
Maximum number of characters in macro function name Unlimited.
Maximum number of macro variables 400

290
 Index
Symbols
273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279
"$!" 25
$ 206
$!ACTIVEFIELDFILEMAPS 67
$!ACTIVELINEMAPS 67
$!ADDMACROPANELTITLE 68
$!ADDONCOMMAND 68
$!ALTERDATA 69, 70, 71
$!ANIMATECONTOURLEVELS 71
$!ANIMATEIJKBLANKING 72
$!ANIMATEIJKPLANES 73, 74
$!ANIMATELINEMAPS 75, 76
$!ANIMATESLICES 74, 76
$!ANIMATESTREAM 75, 77
$!ANIMATETIME 78
$!ANIMATEZONES 78
$!ATTACHDATASET 79
$!ATTACHGEOM 80, 81
$!ATTACHTEXT 82, 83, 267
$!BASICCOLOR 84, 264
$!BASICSIZE 84, 85, 252
$!BLANKING 85, 86
$!BRANCHCONNECTIVITY 87
$!BRANCHFIELDDATAVAR 87
$!BREAK 88
$!COLORMAP 133, 134
in color map files 289
$!COLORMAPCONTROL COPYSTANDARD 89
$!COLORMAPCONTROL REDISTRIBUTECONTROLPOINTS 88, 89
$!COLORMAPCONTROL RESETTOFACTORY 89
$!COMPATIBILITY 89
$!CONTINUE 90
$!CONTOURLABELS 90
$!CONTOURLABELS ADD 90, 91
$!CONTOURLABELS DELETEALL 91
$!CONTOURLEVELS ADD 92
$!CONTOURLEVELS DELETENEAREST 93
$!CONTOURLEVELS DELETERANGE 93
$!CONTOURLEVELS NEW 94
$!CONTOURLEVELS RESET 94, 95
$!CONTOURLEVELS RESETTONICE 95

291
 Index

$!CREATECIRCULARZONE 95
$!CREATECONTOURLINEZONES 97
$!CREATEFEBOUNDARY 97
$!CREATEFESURFACEFROMIORDERED 98
$!CREATEISOZONES 98
$!CREATELINEMAP 98
$!CREATEMIRRORZONES 99
$!CREATENEWFRAME 99, 100
$!CREATERECTANGULARZONE 100
$!CREATESIMPLEZONE 101
$!CREATESLICEZONEFROMPLANE 101, 102
$!CREATESLICEZONES 102
$!CREATESTREAMZONES 102
$!DATASETUP 103
$!DEFAULTGEOM 104
$!DEFAULTTEXT 104
$!DELAY 105
$!DELETEAUXDATA 105
$!DELETELINEMAPS 106
$!DELETEZONES 106, 107
$!DOUBLEBUFFER OFF 107
$!DOUBLEBUFFER ON 107, 108
$!DOUBLEBUFFER SWAP 107, 108
$!DRAWGRAPHICS 108
$!DROPDIALOG 108
$!DUPLICATELINEMAP 109
$!DUPLICATEZONE 109
$!ELSE 110
$!ELSEIF 111
$!ENDIF 147
$!ENDLOOP 167
$!ENDWHILE 218
$!EXPORT 112, 113
$!EXPORTCANCEL 112
$!EXPORTFINISH 113
$!EXPORTNEXTFRAME 113
$!EXPORTSETUP 113, 114, 115
$!EXPORTSTART 115
$!EXTRACTFROMGEOM 115
$!EXTRACTFROMPOLYLINE 116
$!FIELDLAYERS 117
$!FIELDMAP 117, 257, 258
restrictions on using 289
$!FILECONFIG 120
$!FONTADJUST 123
$!FRAMECONTROL DELETETOP 124

292
$!FRAMECONTROL FITALLTOPAPER 124
$!FRAMECONTROL POP 124, 125
$!FRAMECONTROL POPATPOSITION 125
$!FRAMECONTROL POPBYNAME 125
$!FRAMECONTROL PUSH 126
$!FRAMECONTROL PUSHBYNAME 126
$!FRAMECONTROL PUSHTOP 126
$!FRAMENAME 127
$!FRAMESETUP 127
$!GETAUXDATA 128
$!GETCONNECTIVITYREFCOUNT 129
$!GETCURFRAMENAME 129
$!GETFIELDVALUE 130
$!GETFIELDVALUEREFCOUNT 130
$!GETNODEINDEX 131
$!GETUSERINPUT
replaced by $!PROMPTFORTEXTSTRING 183
$!GETVARLOCATION 132
$!GETVARNUMBYNAME 132
$!GLOBALCOLORMAP 133
$!GLOBALCONTOUR 134, 137, 253, 271
$!GLOBALEDGE 138
$!GLOBALFRAME 138
$!GLOBALLINEPLOT 138
$!GLOBALPOLAR 140
$!GLOBALRGB 140
$!GLOBALSCATTER 141, 262
$!GLOBALTHREED 101, 143, 270
$!GLOBALTHREEDVECTOR 145
$!GLOBALTIME 146
$!GLOBALTWODVECTOR 146
$!IF 147
$!INCLUDEMACRO 148
restrictions on using 289
$!INTERFACE 148
$!INVERSEDISTINTERPOLATE 157
$!ISOSURFACEATTRIBUTES 158
$!ISOSURFACELAYERS 159
$!KRIG 160
$!LAUNCHDIALOG 160
$!LIMITS 161, 289
$!LINEARINTERPOLATE 161
$!LINEMAP 162, 266
restrictions on using 289
$!LINEPLOTLAYERS 165
$!LINKCOLORMAPS 165

293
 Index

$!LINKING 165
$!LOADADDON 166
$!LOADCOLORMAP 167
restrictions on using 289
$!LOOP 167
$!LOOP-ENDLOOP 88
$!MACROFUNCTION 23, 167
$!NEWLAYOUT 168
$!OPENLAYOUT 168
restrictions on using 289
$!PAPER 16, 169, 260
$!PAUSE 170
$!PICK ADD 171
$!PICK ADDALL 172
$!PICK ADDALLINRECT 172
$!PICK CLEAR 174
$!PICK COPY 174
$!PICK CUT 174
$!PICK EDIT 174
$!PICK MAGNIFY 176
$!PICK PASTE 177
$!PICK POP 177
$!PICK PUSH 177
$!PICK SETMOUSEMODE 177
$!PICK SHIFT 178
$!PLOTTYPE 178
$!POLARDAXIS 179
$!POLARTORECTANGULAR 179
$!POLARVIEW 180
$!PRINT 180
$!PRINTSETUP 180, 265
$!PROMPTFORFILENAME 182
$!PROMPTFORTEXTSTRING 183
$!PROMPTFORYESNO 183
$!PROPAGATELINKING 184
$!PUBLISH 184
$!QUIT 185
$!RAWCOLORMAP 185
$!READDATASET 185
$!READSTYLESHEET 188
restrictions on using 289
$!REDRAW 188
$!REDRAWALL 189
$!REMOVEVAR 189
in stylesheets and layout files 289
$!RENAMEDATASETVAR 189

294
$!RENAMEDATASETZONE 190
$!RESET3DAXES 190
$!RESET3DORIGIN 190
$!RESET3DSCALEFACTORS 191
$!RESETVECTORLENGTH 191
$!ROTATE2DDATA 191
$!ROTATE3DVIEW 192
$!RUNMACROFUNCTION 192
$!SAVELAYOUT 192
$!SET3DEYEDISTANCE 193
$!SETAUXDATA 193
$!SETDATASETTITLE 194
$!SETFIELDVALUE 194
$!SETFRAMEBACKGROUNDCOLOR 195
$!SETSTYLEBASE 196
$!SHARECONNECTIVITY 196
$!SHAREFIELDDATAVAR 197
$!SHIFTLINEMAPSTOBOTTOM 197
$!SHIFTLINEMAPSTOTOP 197
$!SHOWMOUSEPOINTER 198
$!SKETCHAXIS 198
$!SLICEATRRIBUTES 199
$!SMOOTH 201
$!STREAMATTRIBUTES 202
$!STREAMTRACE ADD 204, 205
$!STREAMTRACE DELETEALL 205
$!STREAMTRACE DELETERANGE 206
$!STREAMTRACE RESETDELTATIME 206
$!STREAMTRACE SETTERMINATIONLINE 206
$!SYSTEM 207
$!THREEDAXIS 207, 255, 256
$!THREEDVIEW 208
$!TRANFORMCOORDINATES 209
$!TRIANGULATE 210
$!TWODAXIS 211, 247, 248, 249, 251, 256, 259, 261, 268
$!VARSET 17, 22, 212
in stylesheets and layout files 289
$!VIEW AXISFIT 213
$!VIEW AXISNICEFIT 214
$!VIEW CENTER 214
$!VIEW COPY 215
$!VIEW DATAFIT 215
$!VIEW FIT 215
$!VIEW LAST 215
$!VIEW MAKECURRENTVIEWNICE 215
$!VIEW NICEFIT 216

295
 Index

$!VIEW PASTE 216

$!VIEW PUSH 216
$!VIEW RESETTOENTIRECIRCLE 216
$!VIEW SETMAGNIFICATION 217
$!VIEW TRANSLATE 217
$!VIEW ZOOM 218
$!WHILE 218
$!WHILE-$!ENDWHILE 88
$!WORKSPACEVIEW 219
$!WORKSPACEVIEW FITALLFRAMES 219
$!WORKSPACEVIEW FITPAPER 219
$!WORKSPACEVIEW FITSELECTEDFRAMES 219
$!WORKSPACEVIEW LASTVIEW 220
$!WORKSPACEVIEW MAXIMIZE 220
$!WORKSPACEVIEW TRANSLATE 220
$!WORKSPACEVIEW UNMAXIMIZE 221
$!WORKSPACEVIEW ZOOM 221
$!WRITECOLORMAP 222
$!WRITECURVEINFO 222
$!WRITEDATASET 222
$!WRITESTYLESHEET 223
$!XYLINEAXIS 224, 269
<addmousebuttonmode> 273
<addonstyle> 273
<arrowheadattachment> 273
<arrowheadstyle> 273
<axismode> 273
<axistitlemode> 273
<axistitleposition> 273
<backingstoremode> 273
<boundarycondition> 273
<boxtype> 273
<charactersequence> 274
<color> 274
<colormap> 274
<colormapcontrol> 274
<colormapdistribution> 274
<conditionalexp> 274
<contourlabelaction> 274
<contourlevelaction> 274
<contourlinemode> 274
<contourtype> 274
<coordscale> 274
<coordsys> 274
<curvetype> 274
<datatype> 274
<derivpos> 274
<dexp> 275

296
<double> 275
<drift> 275
<edgesetting> 275
<epspreviewimagetype> 275
<errorbartype> 276
<exportformat> 276
<expression> 276
<font> 276
<frameaction> 276
<framemode> 276
<functiondependency> 276
<geomshape> 276
<geomtype> 276
<ijkblankmode> 276
<ijkplane> 276
<imagestyle> 276
<initialdialogplacement> 273
<integer> 276
<krigdrift> 276
<labelalignment> 276
<labeltype> 276
<lightingeffect> 276
<linearinterpmode> 276
<linepattern> 276
<macrointrinsic> 277
<meshplottype> 277
<objectalign> 277
<palette> 277
<papergridspacing> 277
<paperrulerspacing> 277
<papersize> 277
<pointerstyle> 277
<pointselection> 277
<pointstoplot> 278
<printerdriver> 278
<quickcolormode> 278
<readdataoption> 278
<rotateaxis> 278
<rotateoriginlocation> 278
<rotationmode> 278
<sizeunits> 278
<skipmode> 278
<slicesource> 278
<standardcolormap> 278
<stipplemode> 278
<streamdirection> 278
<streamtype> 278
<sunrasterformat> 279
<surfacestoplot> 279
<textanchor> 279

297
 Index

<textboxtype> 279
<tickdirection> 279
<tiffbyteorder> 279
<translucency> 279
<twoddraworder> 279
<valueblankcellmode> 279
<valueblankrelop> 279
<valueformat> 279
<vectorplottype> 279
<viewmode> 279
<workspaceviewmode> 279

Numerics
2D axes
settings 211
2D draw order 279
2D field plots 91
vector plots 146
3D axes
attributes 207
reset 190
3D plots
global attributes 143, 208
3D rotation 278
3D vector plot attributes 145

A
Action commands 67
Active planes 276
Active zones 67
Add-on
loading 166
Add-on commands
send to add-on 68
Add-on style 273
ADDONCOMMAND macro 225
ALIGNINGCONTOURLABELS 128
Alignment 277
ALLOWDATAPOINTSELECT 148
ALLOWHWACCELERATION 154
Alter data command 69
Anchor 247
text 82
Angle
rotate 3D 143, 192, 208
Animate commands 71–79
ANIMATESTREAKLINES macro command 225, 227
Animation
contour levels 71–??, 71
frames 75

298
 IJK blanking 72
IJK planes 73
iso-surface 74
line mappings 75
slice 76
stream markers 77
streamtraces 77
Time 78
zone 78
zones 78
APPROXIMATIONMODE 148
Area style 248
Arithmetic functions 280
Arrowhead
angle 80
attachment 80, 273
size 80
style 80, 273
ARROWHEADSIZES 84
ATTACHINTEGRATIONRESULTS
macro command 225, 227
AUTOREDRAWISACTIVE 148
Auxiliary data 128
delete 105
macro variables 17
setting 193
Axes 213, 214, 248, 249, 250
2D settings 211
3D attributes 207
adjust to center data 214
adjust to nice fit 216
adjust to nice view 215
assign variables 179, 207, 211
attributes 247, 248, 249, 250, 268
dependent mode 273
fit to data 213
grid area 248, 255
grid areas 255
gridlines 256
in Sketch frame mode 198
labels 259
nice fit 214
number 213, 214
polar
attributes 179
reset 190
reset scale factors 191
tick marks 268
attributes 268
label formatting 267

299
 Index

labels 268
title mode 273
title position 273
variables 208
XY Line attributes assignments 224

B
Back buffer
swap to front 108
Backing store 273
BACKINGSTOREMODE 148
basicsizelist subcommand 251
BEEPONFRAMEINTERRUPT 148
Blanking 85, 86
animate 72
IJK 85
Value 279
value 85
BOLDFACTOR 123
Boundary condition 273
Box type 273
Break out command 88
Buffer commands 107–108

C
CACHELIGHTDISPLAYLISTSONLY 149
CALCPARTICLEPATH macro command 225, 228
CALCTURBULENCEFUNCTION
macro command 225, 231
CALCULATE macro command 225, 232
CALCULATEACCURACY macro command 225, 233
Case of characters 17
Cell labels 142
Center
view 214
Character sequence 274
Circle
raw data 285
Circular zone 95
Clipping 80
Color
fill color 80
flooding 254
palette 277
rgb 84
text 82
Color map 88, 133, 274
active 88, 89
assignment value options 278
color spectrum 133

300
 contour 252
override 253
control 88, 274
control commands 88–90
control points 88, 89, 252
distribution 252, 274
dynamic 18
files 289
gray scale output 264
loading 167
override 253, 254
raw data 285
raw user-defined 252
reset to default 133
RGB values 185
standard 89
user-defined 89
write to file 222
Color palette 277
Color text 82
COLORMAPFILE 120
Colors 80, 84, 274
assigning RGB values 264
quickedit 278
RGB 140, 264
set command in macros 84
shading 264
zebra shading 271
Command Line 7
Command parameters 15
Conditional execute 218
Conditional expressions 274
Configuration
OpenGL 262
Configuration file
SetValue macro commands 289
Configuring dropdown menus 251
Constants 281
Continue command 90
Continue to execute a set of commands 218
Contour
color map 252
override 253
zebra shading 271
line mode 274
plot type 274
Contour color map 89
Contour commands 90–95
Contour labels 91, 136, 274
Contour levels 94, 274

301
 Index

animate 71
animation 71
delete 93
new 94
raw data 285
Contour plot
animation 71–??
attributes 117
color map 89, 133
global changes 134
label 90, 91
labels 136
levels 71
add 92
copy to another frame 223
delete 93
reset 94, 95
show 117
variable 136
Control commands
If...Endif 147, 282
Control points 88, 89
contour color maps 252
Coordinates
convert polar to rectangular 179
Copy picked objects 174
Current frame
attach text 82
Curve details
write to file 222
Curve equations
write 222
Cut
delete picked objects 174
Cutaway views
blanking 85

D
Data 149
adjust axes to fit 213, 214
center in view 214
fit to axis grid area 215
read 185
reading 278
rotate 191
rotating 17
smooth 201
Data alteration 69
Data extraction 115
Data fit 215

302
Data labels 142
Data manipulation 69
polar to rectangular coordinates 179
Data operations
zone number specification 71
Data point
moving 148
select 148
Data set
attach to frame command 79
naming 194
variable 130
write 222
Data set variables
set value (from macro variable) 194
Data sharing
branching connectivity 87
branching variables 87
connectivity 196
field variables 197
reference count 130
Data type 100, 274
DATAFILEVARLOADMODE 120
Debugging macro files 8
Debugging macros 7
Delay 105
Delete
objects 174
Delete picked objects 174
Derivative position 274
DERIVATIVEBOUNDARY 149
Destination
map 109
zone 157
Dialog
drop a Tecplot dialog 108
Display
render 156
Display message 170
DISPLAYBOUNDARIES
macro command 226, 234
DOAUTOFNAMEEXTENSION 120
Double 275
Double buffer
compound functions 107
turning off 107
turning on 107
Double expression 275
Draw order 279
Line mappings 197

303
 Index

sort level 143, 208

Dropdown menus 251
Duplicate zones 109
Dura labels
labeling node 276

E
Edge attributes 118
Edge plot
show 117
Edge setting 275
Edit
global edit on picked objects 174
Ellipse
raw data 285
ENABLEDELAYS 151
ENABLEINTERRUPTS 151
ENABLEPAUSES 151
ENABLEWARNINGS 151
Encapsulated PostScript
preview image 275
EndLoop command 167
Environment variables 21
EQUATIONFILE 120
Equations 69
Error bars
plot types 276
Examples
2D axes attributes 179, 211
3D axis attributes 208
activating field zones for plotting 67
Adding contour levels 92
adding Line maps 67
adding zones to the set of active zones 67
assigning attributes for field plots 119
assigning axes attributes 249
assigning control point for small rainbow color map 134
assigning the medium line pattern length 85
attributes applied to all frames 138
attributes for default geometry 104
attributes for exporting image files 114
axis grid area borders 248, 256
axis gridlines settings 256
axis modes 199
axis tick mark attributes 269
axis tick mark labels 268
basic size values 252
circle raw data 286
color map control points 252
contour attributes 137

304
contour levels raw data 286
Create a new zone for each contour line on an existing contour plot. 97
Creating mirror zones 99
Deleting contour levels 93
edit picked objects 169, 176
inverse distance interpolation 158
Line legend and data labels 139
line mappings attributes 164
line plot layers on or off 165
line segment geometry raw data 286
macro function file 8
making Line maps active for plotting 67
making line maps active for plotting 67
making zones active for plotting 67
mapping monochrome hardcopy output 265
paper characteristics 170
paper size dimensions 260
path information 123
pick all in rectangle 173
positioning frame on the paper 127
Preplot launch command 103
print attributes 182
rectangle settings 261
removing Line maps 68
removing zones from the set of active zones 67
RGB values raw data 286
set parameters for dynamic frame attributes 128
setting (X,Y) positions 270
setting (X,Y,Z) triplets 270
setting 3D global attributes 144
setting attributes of 2D vector plots 147
setting attributes of 3D vector plots 145
setting attributes of default font 105
setting attributes of Tecplot interface 157
setting character spacing and sizing for fonts 123
setting color map overrides 253
setting color values 264
setting grid area borders 248, 256
setting I- J- and K-indices 257
setting IJK blankings 86
setting numbers formats 259
setting reference scatter symbols attributes 262
setting scatter attributes 143
setting some Tecplot limits 161
setting symbol shapes 266
setting text shapes 267
setting the red, green, and blue components 84
text box 266
turning on scatter layers 117
Using value-blankings 86

305
 Index

XY Line axis attributes 224

zebra shading attributes 271
Examples of macros 233, 238
Exit command 185
Export 112, 113
image
attributes 114
Exporting
layout to paper or file 180
Exporting images
file types 276
formats 276
Expression 276
Extract
3D slice 101
isosurfaces 98
EXTRACTFLOWFEATURE
macro command 226, 235
EXTRAPOLATESOLUTION
macro command 226, 235
Eye distance 193

F
FE boundary 97
FE surfaces 98
Field plots 117
contour attributes 134
plot layers 117
scatter attributes 141
Field value
setting 194
Field variable query 130
Fieldmaps
set active zones command 67
specify 67
File
open data set 185
open layout 168
save data set 222
save layout 192
File name
prompt for 182
File names 115, 116
File paths
configuration 120
Finite-element
create FE-surface zones 98
Finite-element data
zone boundary creation 97
First line of macro file 15

306
Flooded contour plots 274
FNAMEFILTER 120
Font 105, 276
Fonts 82
spacing 123
Formats
in macro variables 24
Formatting numbers 258
FORTRAN-like equations 69
Frame
attach data 79
attach to data set command 79
delete 124
invisible borders 155
layout 126
order 126
text (attach) 82
view last 215
Frame control commands 124–126
Frame coordinates 274
Frame manipulating 276
Frame modes 205, 276
Frame style
attributes 196
FRAMEHEADERFORMAT 138
FRAMEHEADERHEIGHT 138
Frames 79, 125
create 99
delete active frame 124
dynamic attributes 127
fit all into workspace view 219
fit frames to paper 124
fit selected frames in view 219
get name 129
number of frames 20
pop 124
push 126
setting global attributes 138
Frames with pick handles 220
FRAMETEXTSIZES 84
Functions
arithmetic 280

G
Geometries
copy to another frame 223
default attributes 104
Geometry
attach command 80
attach to frame 80

307
 Index

attributes 104
color 80
defaults 104
extract data 115
Geometry attributes 80
Geometry raw data 285
Geometry type 80, 276
circle 276
ellipse 276
rectangle 276
square 276
Global attributes 133–140
Global edit
on picked objects 174
Graphics
turn drawing on or off 108
Gray scale output 264
Grid
precise dot 260
Grid area 255
Grid area border 248, 256
Grid area example 261
Grid coordinates 274
Grid lines 256
gridarea subcommand 255
gridlinedetail subcommand 256
Gridlines 256
Group 119

I
I-, J-, or K-indices
setting 257
If command 147
IJK Blanking 86
IJK blanking 85
animation 72
blanking domain 276
IJK index 257
ijk subcommand 257
IJK-indices
minimum/maximum as variables 18
IJK-planes
animation 73
Image
export 112, 113
attributes 114
Image style 276
IMAGERENDERING 154
Index ranges 257
setting 257

308
indexrange subcommand 257
Infinite
see Loop
Initial dialog placement 254
INITIAL3DSCALE 128
Initialdialogplacement 273
initialdialogplacement subcommand 254
INITIALPLOTFIRSTZONEONLY 152
INPUTDATAFILE 120
INPUTLAYOUTFILE 120
Integer 276
INTEGRATE macro command 226, 236
Interface
Data 149
launch dialog 160
render 156
set attributes 148
Internal macro variables 21
INTERPNPOINTS 149
Interpolation
inverse distance method 157
kriging 160
linear method 161
pointer selection 277
INTERPPTSELECTION 149
INTERRUPTCHECKINGFREQUENCY 152
Intrinsic values 277
INVDISTEXPONENT 149
INVDISTMINRADIUS 149
Inverse distance interpolation 157
I-ordered zones 211
ISFILLED 80
Iso-surface
animate 74
Iso-surfaces 158
Isosurfaces
zone creation 98

J
Jacobian
macro example 233

K
Krig drift 276
KRIGDRIFT 149
Kriging 160
Kriging Drift 275
KRIGRANGE 149
KRIGZEROVALUE 149

309
 Index

L
Label
contour 90
Labels
tick marks 267
LARGESTEP 155
Layout
clear 168
new 168
printing to paper or file 180
saving 192
Layout files
macro control commands 289
Layouts
attach data set of another frame 79
opening 168
Light source shading 143, 208
change settings 133
Lighting effects 276
Limitations 289
Limits
set in Tecplot 161
Line mappings 67, 75, 109
animation 75
attributes 162
create 98
delete 106
draw order 197
duplicate 109
number of line mappings 20
set active mappings command 67
shift to bottom of list 197
shift to top of list 197
write coefficients 222
write curve information 222
line mappings
show symbols 165
Line maps
activate 67
attributes 289
defaults 289
see Line mappings 106
specify 67
Line pattern 80
Line patterns 276
Line plot layers 165
Line plots 75
setting global attributes 138
show lines 165
Line space

310
 text 82
Line thickness 80
Linear interpolation 161
action on outside points 276
LINEARINTERPCONST 149
LINEARINTERPMODE 149
LINEPATLENGTHS 84
Lines
line plots 165
LINETHICKNESSES 85
Load data 185
Loading your own macro function file 8
Log axes 274
Loop
See also Infinite
Loop command 167

M
Macro command summary 25
Macro command syntax 15
Macro commands 5, 7, 15
ANIMATESTREAKLINES 225, 227
ATTACHINTEGRATIONRESULTS 225, 227
CALCPARTICLEPATH 225, 228
CALCTURBULENCEFUNCTION 225, 231
CALCULATE 225, 232
CALCULATEACCURACY 225, 233
conditionally processing 147
DISPLAYBOUNDARIES 226, 234
EXTRACTFLOWFEATURE 226, 235
EXTRAPOLATESOLUTION 226, 235
INTEGRATE 226, 236
macro variables 17
major 25
SAVEINTEGRATIONRESULTS 226, 238
SETFIELDVARIABLES 226, 239
SETFLUIDPROPERTIES 226, 240
SETGEOMETRYANDBOUNDARIES 226, 241
SETREFERENCEANDFIELDVARIABLES 243
SETREFERENCEVALUES 226
SETUNSTEADYFLOWOPTIONS 226, 243
spacing 16
Macro control commands 67
allowed in stylesheets and layouts 289
Break 88
Continue 90
Delay 105
include macro 148
Loop...Endloop 167
pause 170

311
 Index

run macro function 192

stop execution 170
system commands 207
While...Endwhile 218
Macro definitions 8
Macro files 15
debugging 8
first line 15
nesting one file within another 148
Macro function
execute 192
Macro function files
example 8
loading your own 8
Macro functions 7, 8
definition 167
retaining 7
run command 23
Macro language
restrictions and limitations 289
Macro Panel 8
Macro panel 168
title 68
Macro syntax
examples 283
Macro variable
set field value 194
values 22
Macro variables
assigning strings 22
assigning value or string 212
assigning values 22
function 23
get current frame name 129
get field value 130
name 21
remove user-defined 189
select variable (by name) 132
strings 22
using formats 24
Macro viewer 8
MACROFILE 120
Macros 5, 7, 8
debugging 7
running from the command line 7
running from the Quick Macro Panel 8
running from the Tecplot interface 7
Macros vs. macro functions vs. macro commands 7
Magnification
set for view 217

312
 zoom 218
Magnify picked objects 176
Major macro commands 25
Managing Tecplot macros 7
Mandatory parameters 15
Mappings
delete 106
duplicate 109
Mass calculation example 238
Mass flux example 238
Mass-weighted average example 238
MAXCHRSINTEXTLABELS 161
MAXCUSTOMCOLORSININTERFACE 152
Maximum index 237
Maximum values
as variables 18
MAXNUMCONTOURLEVELS 161
MAXPREPLOTVARS 161
MAXPREPLOTZONES 161
MAXPTSINALINE 161
MEDIUMSTEP 155
Mesh attributes 118
Mesh plot
show 117
Mesh plots
plot types 277
Message
display 170
Minimum values
as variables 19
MINPIXELSFORDRAG 152
Mirror zones
create 99
Modern color maps 134
Modifiers
command-specific 15
Monochrome hardcopy 264
Mouse button assignments 273
Mouse mode
set for picking 177
Mouse pointer 277
Move picked objects 178
Movie files 71, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79

N
Name
get frame name 129
Negative values 70, 237
Number format 258
Number formats 279

313
 Index

Number of cycles for animation 74, 76, 77

Number of ellipse points 81
number of planes 20
number of zones 20
numberformat subcommand 258
Numbers
formatting in macro variables 24
NUMPTSALLOWEDBEFOREAPPROX 153
NUMSMOOTHPASSES 149
NUMSTREAMRAKEPOINTS 128

O
Object
size 84
OKTOEXECUTESYSTEMCOMMAND 153
OpenGL
rendering settings 262
OpenGL rendering 262
OPENGLCONFIG 153
Operating system
using as variable 20
Operating system instructions 207
Operator associativity 281
Operator precedence 281
Optional box settings 266
Optional parameters 15
Order frames 124
Output
file configuration 120
OUTPUTASCIIDATAFILE 121
OUTPUTBINARYDATAFILE 121
OUTPUTLAYOUTFILE 121
OUTPUTLAYOUTPACKAGEFILE 121
Overrides
color map 253

P
Paper 259
color 169
fit within workspace view 219
grid spacing 277
set specifications 169
show grid 169
show ruler 169
size 259
Paper ruler spacing 277
Paper size 277
papersize subcommand 259
Parameter
assignment 15

314
Parameter Assignment Values 273
Parameter assignment values 245
Parameter assignments 15, 273
Parameter subcommands 15, 247
Parameters
data setup command 103
for CFD Analyzer macro commands 227
Parameters for dynamic frame attributes 127
Paste 177
from view paste buffer 216
Paths
configuring for output 120
Pattern length 81
Pause macro execution 170
PERCENTAGEOFPOINTSTOKEEP 154
Pick
copy picked objects 174
delete picked objects 174
global edit on picked objects 174
magnify picked objects 176
mouse mode set 177
move picked objects 178
object at given location 171
objects in rectangle 172
objects of type 172
objects to delete 174
paste picked objects from buffer 177
pop picked objects 177
push picked objects back 177
Pick commands 171–178
PICKHANDLEWIDTH 154
Planes 20
animate 73
Plot Approximation 277
Plot layers 117, 165
field plots 117
Plot Type 277
Plot Types
Vector 279
PLOTAPPROXIMATIONMODE 154
Plotting points 278
Points
write to file 222
Points to plot 278
POINTTEXTSIZES 85
Polar axes
attributes 179
Polar coordinates
convert to rectangular 179
Polyline

315
 Index

extracting data 116

raw data 285
Pop frame 124
Pop frame at specified position 125
Popping
picked objects 177
Position
text example 267
Precise dot grid 260
precisegrid subcommand 260
Preferences
basic color 84
basic size 84
show coordinates 148
PREPLOTARGS 103
PRINTDEBUG 154
Printers 278
rendering 278
Printing
attributes 180
to paper or file 180
Prompt commands 182–184
Push
picked objects 177
view stack 216
Push frames 126
Push top frame to bottom 126

Q
Query dialogs 183
Query functions 129–133
Quick Edit
colors 278
Quick Macro Panel 8, 168
title 68
QUICKCOLORMODE 154
Quit command 185

R
Range Parameters 70, 237
Raster Metafile 114
Raw data 101, 116, 207
addoncommandrawdata 285
circle 286
color map 285
contour level 285
contour levels 286
geometry 285
line segment geometry 286
RGB values 286

316
 section of macro commands 285
square 285
values 285
XY 285
XYZ 285
Raw User-Defined color maps 252
RAWDATA
example 286
Read data 185
rect subcommand 261
Rectangle 261
raw data 285
Rectangles 261
settings 261
Rectangular zones
create 100
Redraw 188
Redraw All 189
Reference scatter symbol 142
attributes 261
Reference scatter symbols 261
refscatsymbol subcommand 261
Remove user-defined macro variable 189
rendconfig subcommand 262
Rendering
off-screen 156
with OpenGL 262
Retaining macro function 7
RGB 264
components 84
rgb subcommand 264
Rotate
2D plot 191
3D plots 143, 192, 208
Rotate a 3D plot
example 17
ROTATION
details 154
Rotation 278
axis 278
origin location 278
reset rotation origin 190
rotation origin 190
Ruler 169, 277
RULERPADDING 155
RULERTHICKNESS 155
RUNDISPLAYLISTSAFTERBUILDING 153
Running
macro function 23
Running macros

317
 Index

from the command line 7

from the Quick Macro Panel 8
from the tecplot interface 7
Tecplot 7

S
Save
color map 222
curve information 222
data set 222
stylesheet 223
SAVEINTEGRATIONRESULTS
macro command 226, 238
SCALE 155
Scale factors
reset 191
Scatter
legend 142, 158
sizing by variable 142, 158
Scatter attributes 118
Scatter plot
show 117
Scatter plots 118
set global attributes 141
Scatter symbol attributes 261
Scatter symbols 261
Scope of text 81
Scratch data type 103
SCRATCHDATAFIELDTYPE 103
SCRBACKGROUNDCOLOR 155
SCREENRENDERING 154
Select objects 171
SETFIELDVARIABLES
macro command 226, 239
SETFLUIDPROPERTIES
macro command 226, 240
SETGEOMETRYANDBOUNDARIES
macro command 226, 241
SETREFERENCEANDFIELDVARIABLES
macro command 243
SETREFERENCEVALUES
macro command 226
Setting (X,Y) positions 270
Setting (X,Y,Z) triplets 270
Setting attributes
reference scatter symbols 261, 262
Setting color values 264
Setting I-, J-, or K-indices 257
Setting index ranges 257
Setting number formats 258

318
Setting symbol shapes 265
Setting zebra shading attributes 271
Settings
OpenGL rendering 262
SETUNSTEADYFLOWOPTIONS
macro command 226, 243
SetValue commands
in color map files 289
macro configuration files 289
Shade attributes 119
Shade maps 264
shademap subcommand 264
Shading 264
Shift picked objects 178
SHOWCONTINUOUSSTATUS 155
SHOWCOORDINATES 155
SHOWFRAMEBORDERSWHENOFF 155
-showpanel flag 8
SHOWSTATUSLINE 155
SHOWTEXTGEOMSINAPPROXVIEW 155
SHOWWAITDIALOGS 155
Simple zone
create 101
Single angle brackets 247, 273
Size 251
object 84
preference 84
set command in macros 84
Size limitations
macro control commands 289
Size lists 251
Size preferences 84
Size units 278
Sketch
axis 198
Skip mode 278
Slice
animate 76
create slice zone command 101
Slice source 278
Slices 278
create zones 102
global settings 199
Slicing 278
Small Rainbow color maps 89
SMALLSTEP 155
SMOOTHBNDRYCOND 149
Smoothing
data 201
SMOOTHWEIGHT 149

319
 Index

SNAPTOGRID 138
SNAPTOPAPER 138
Source maps 109
Source zones 97, 98, 99
Specify
fieldmaps 67
line maps 67
Steps per cycle in animation 77
STEPSIZE 155
Stipple 278
Stop macro execution 170
Stream dashes
animation 77
Stream markers
animation 77
Streamtrace commands 202–207
add 204
delete all 205
delete range 206
reset time increments 206
set termination line 206
Streamtrace paths 77
Streamtraces
animate 77
animation
dashes or markers 77
create zones 102
delete all 205
direction 278
global settings 202
type 278
Strings
assigning 22
STROKEFONTLINETHICKNESS 123
STYLEFILE 121
Stylesheet
read 188
write to file 223
Stylesheets
macro control commands 289
Subscript 123
SUBSUPFRACTION 123
Sun Raster format options 279
Superscript 123
Surface Effects 118
Surfaces to plot 279
Symbol shape 265, 276
Symbol shapes
setting 265
Symbols

320
 line plots 165
symbolshape subcommand 265
SYMBOLSIZES 85
Syntax
example macros 283
for CFD Analyzer macro commands 227
System command instructions 207
System environment variables 21

T
TECHOME
using as variable 21
Tecplot Interface 7
Tecplot interface
set attributes 148
Tecplot macro 5
tecplot.mcr 8
TEMPFILEPATH 122
Text 266
anchor 82, 279
angle 82
attach command 82
attributes 82, 105
box 82
centering 83
character height 267
color 82
copy to another frame 223
default 105
defaults 104, 105
display 170
fonts 82, 267, 276
frame 82
height 267
label box 266
label details 267
line spacing 82
prompt for 183
setting font and position 267
setting fonts 267
shape 267
spacing 123
subscript 123
superscript 123
text box 82
thickness 267
zone (attach) 82
Text box 82
Text boxes 266, 279
Text shape 83

321
 Index

Textbox 82
textbox subcommand 266
textshape subcommand 267
Tick marks 268
attributes 268
axis 268
directions 279
label formatting 267
labels 267, 268
setting attributes 269
ticklabeldetail subcommand 267
TICKLENGTHS 85
Tickmark labels
alignment 276
tickmarkdetail subcommand 268
TIFF byte order 279
Time
Animation 78
Title
data set 194
Transform
coordinates 209
polar to rectangular coordinates 179
Translate
view 217
workspace view 220
Translate picked objects 178
TRANSLATION 155
Translucency 279
TRIANGLEKEEPFACTOR 149

U
Undo
view only 215
UNIXHELPBROWSERCMD 156
USEAPPROXIMATEPLOTS 156
USEDISPLAYLISTS 156
USEDOUBLEBUFFERING 156
User input dialogs 182, 183
User interface
launch dialog 160
set attributes 148
User-defined variables 21
USETECPLOTPRINTDRIVERS 156

V
Value blanking 85, 279
cell mode 279
Values
display 142

322
 macro variables 17
set field value 194
Variable lists 166
Variables
3D axis 208
assign to 2D axis 179, 211
assign to 3D axes 207
assigning values 212
contours 136
environment 21
initializing 212
internal 17
location 132
macro functions 23
remove user-defined macro variable 189
renaming 189
scatter symbol sizing 142, 158
variable number 132
vector 145, 147
VECTDEFLEN 128
VECTMINLEN 128
Vector plot
attributes 145
Vector plots 279
variables 145
vector format 119
Vector variables 147
minimum/maximum as variables 19
Vectors
length reset 191
reference vector 145, 146
Vectors plot
show 117
Vertical bars (’|’s) 17
View
axis fit 213
axis nice fit 214
center 214
copy 215
data fit 215
fit 215
fit all frames 219
fit paper in workspace 219
fit selected frames 219
last 215
magnify 217
maximize 221
maximize workspace view 220
nice fit 216
paste 216

323
 Index

return to last view 220

rotate 192
shift workspace 220
translate 217
zoom workspace 221
View commands 212–218, 219–221
View compound function family 212
View mode 279
View stack 216
retrieve last view 215
Viewer/Debugger 5
volume attributes 119
Volume objects 269
Volume surfaces
create FE surfaces 98
VOLUMEMODE 119
volumeobjectstoplot subcommand 269

W
While command 218
Workspace
color map dialog 89
frame 124
view 220
translate 220
unmaximize 221
view mode 279
Workspace commands 219–221
Write
color map 222
data set 222
stylesheet 223

X
X-axis gridlines 256
XORCOLOR 156
XY
raw data 285
XY Line axes attributes
assign 224
XY line plots
coordinate scale 274
curve information 274
curve type 274
error bars 276
XY mapping
function dependency 276
xy subcommand 270
XY vectors 270
XYZ

324
 raw data 285
vectors 270
xyz subcommand 270

Z
Z-clip 143, 208
Zebra shading 271
attributes 271
zebrashade subcommand 271
Zone
animation 78
attach geometry 80
attributes 117
Zone boundaries
finite-element data 97
for finite element data 98
Zone Group 119
Zone numbers
specify 71
Zones 20, 81
animate 78
attributes 289
concatenate 103
create 95–103
create isozones command 98
create mirrors 99
create rectangular 100
defaults 289
delete 106, 107
duplicate 109
FE surface 98
new 101
streamtraces 102
renaming 190
specify number 71
triangulate 210
Zoom
picked objects 176
view 218
workspace view 221

325