Command: dump

Syntax

dump { <elist> ... }

Description

Create a plot meta-file from entity graphics.

Parameters

• <elist>
  A group/entity list defining which entities are to be dumped. If omitted, all entities viewable in the relevant graphic window are dumped.

Switches

• -c
  If the file (-of) exists, request confirmation from the user before it is overwritten.

• -ch=<channel>
  Rather than create a file, direct the output to a channel already opened for write. The channel must be closed explicitly after the dump. If the identifier <channel> does not exist it will be created using current scope rules.

• -cr=<message>
  A description of the plot file creator. When present, this is used subsequently for comment purposes only.

• -ef=<filter>
  A filter to be applied to all entities within <elist> further qualifying which entities are to be dumped. If omitted, the filter current_filter is used.

• -ell
  Dump ellipses as ellipse records. This is the default. Use -no_ell to expand ellipses into line segments.

• -ent
  Dump start and finish entity records into the meta-file. By default they are omitted.

• -et
  Expand text into individual vector strokes. Without this switch text output is dumped as text records. Only Fire software fonts can be dumped in stroke form, irrespective of this switch.

• -fil
  Do not expand fillstyled entities in the output. By default fillstyles are expanded into their fill components, i.e. color, tile and hatch pattern.

• -fra
  Dump a frame outline as well as entity graphics. This is the default. If no frame is required, use -no_fra.

• -hat
  Do not expand hatchstyled entities in the output. By default they are expanded.

• -iw=<window>
  Use the attributes of a graphic window to further qualify which entities are to be dumped, and to determine the size and scale of the plot. If this is omitted the current graphic window will be used.

• -ls
  Do not expand linestyled entities in the output. By default they are expanded.

• -ms
  Do not expand markerstyled entities in the output. By default they are expanded.

• -of=<file>
  The plot meta-file to be created. The default file extension is .pl. This should be omitted if output is being directed to an already-open channel (-ch), or to a unix filter program (-uof).

• -ps=<num>
  The plot scale for the output. If omitted, the plot scale associated with the window (-iw) is used. If present, the plot scale of the window is reset to the new value.

• -q
  Quiet mode. Do not draw graphics on the display during the dump. The default behavior is to draw graphics.

• -sig=<num>
  The number of significant figures to use after the decimal point when writing values to the plot file. The default is six.

• -t=<message>
  A description of the plot file contents. When present, this is used subsequently for comment purposes only.

• -uof=<string>
  Rather than create a file, pipe the output to a unix filter program.

• -wb=<points>
  Two corners of a box in modeling space. The contents of the box thus provide the area whose contents are to be dumped. If this is omitted, the whole graphic window is used.

Notes

One, and only one, of the switches -ch, -of and -uof must be specified to give a destination for the plot meta-file output.

Sub-entities of compounds may not be dumped in isolation from their parent entities. If this is attempted, the parent entity is also dumped.

If the auto-grid and/or auto-vane facility is on for the window, their associated graphics are dumped.

Examples

Dump one entity.

dump this, -of=my_plot

Dump all entities at a plot scale of 1/10 to a channel.

open pch,-of=layout.pl
write pch,'#User Information'
dump -ch=pch, -ps=0.1,-ent
write pch,'#End of file'
pch.close

See Also