You can export the contents of the graphics window (full screen options are also available for some platforms), either to a printer or to a graphics file. The following topics are available:
You can obtain hard copy output by selecting . You can print the contents of the graphics window, or create an exportable graphics file. When you select the option, the Windows printer dialog for the designated printer appears. You can modify printing options including page layout, output resolution and document handling.
Printer spooling options are commonly used to free up the processor more quickly (especially in Z-buffered mode). In Type 4 or Polygon mode, spooling may cause some elements to not plot, or to be improperly placed. Select the option when these types of printing problems are encountered.
Selecting and then the option displays the Graphics Hard Copy dialog. Several popular file-export formats (BMP, JPEG, TIFF and PNG) along with limited page layout and configuration options are available. You can export your output window (or full screen) contents into a large number of commercially available publishing or presentation software applications.
Note: If you are running in batch mode and want to export graphic files, you must issue the /SHOW command before commands that produce a graphical output.
Ansys, Inc. JPEG software is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG Group, Copyright 1998, Thomas G. Lane.
The PNG format is an extremely capable, portable file format with widespread acceptance in many computer applications, including the web. It is a lossless, true-color image format that minimizes the distortion, mottling and pallet limitations found on other formats, while still retaining excellent compression performance. The program creates PNG files with the assistance of the following LIBPNG and ZLIB packages:
LIBPNG version 1.0.8 - July 2000
Copyright 1995, 1996, Guy Eric Schalnat, Group 42, Inc.
Copyright 1996, 1997 Andreas Dilger
Copyright 1998-2000 Glenn Randers-Pehrson
ZLIB Version 1.1.3
Copyright 1995 - 1998 Jean Loup Gailly and Mark Adler.
Windows operating systems with ClearType may generate plots with blurry text using the Reverse Video option in the Graphics Hard Copy dialog box. Instead, use the Reverse Video option (Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> Style> Colors> Reverse Video) for the graphics window.
You can create exportable graphics via . In addition to the page layout and configuration options found in the Graphics Hard Copy dialog box, this method provides additional position, resolution and scaling options. When you use this option, the output functions for most of these formats are controlled from within the program, instead of by the operating system. This selection also provides VRML 3D rendering output, along with screen dump and animation options. The export defaults to raster mode, even if vector is the prescribed /DEVICE mode. Ensure that the check box in the dialog box is checked for the desired output.
You can export Windows Metafiles directly from the program (Windows systems only) via . The subsequent dialog boxes provide limited page layout and configuration options.
Because most of the export methods listed above use the system's video output to generate the file format, they will not work unless you are in interactive mode. If you are not in interactive mode, and you want to export any of the above graphics types, use the /SHOW command. This method enables you to generate output files when you run your analysis from a batch file. The Courier and Helvetica font files used for text output within the JPEG, PNG and TIFF batch outputs are not accessed from your operating system. Permission to use these files is granted by Adobe Systems, Inc. and Digital Equipment Corp. in association with these functions only.
You can print from within the program. Selecting displays the Hard Copy dialog box. Print options, including page layout, reverse video and grey scale are available from this dialog box.
The black background provided in the graphics window is often unsuitable for printing. Selecting Reverse Video displays the graphic on a white background. Contour colors and other colors selected from the palette are unaffected by this option.
The PS Hard Copy dialog box () also provides a number of file export formats (JPEG, TIFF, and PNG) along with limited page layout options. These files can be used in various word processing and desktop publishing applications.
As in Windows, you must use the /SHOW command in order to generate file exports during batch runs.
To obtain additional export formats, select . You can select from JPEG, TIFF, PNG, and VRML. These formats are suitable for a wide range of applications outside of the program.
The export defaults to raster mode, even if vector is the prescribed /DEVICE mode. Ensure that the check box in the dialog box is checked for the desired output.