Chapter 18: External Graphics
Besides creating and controlling graphics that you can view directly from within the program, you can
export the contents of the graphics window to either to a printer or to a graphics file. You can also
generate a neutral graphics file (*.GRPH) and use the standalone DISPLAY program to view static or
animated screen images, or to convert your file into the appropriate format for printing, plotting, or
exporting to word processing or desktop publishing programs.
The following external graphics topics are available:
18.1. External Graphics Options.
18.2. Creating a Neutral Graphics File
18.3. Using the DISPLAY Program to View and Translate Neutral Graphics Files
18.4. Obtaining Hardcopy Plots18.1. External Graphics Options
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:
18.1.1. Printing Graphics in Windows
18.1.2. Exporting Graphics in Windows
18.1.3. Printing Graphics in Linux
18.1.4. Exporting Graphics in Linux18.1.1. Printing Graphics in Windows
You can obtain hard copy output by selecting Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> Hard Copy. You can print the
contents of the graphics window, or create an exportable graphics file. When you select the To Printer
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 Print Directly to Printer option when these types of printing problems are
encountered.
18.1.2. Exporting Graphics in Windows
Selecting Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> Hard Copy and then the To File option displays the Graphics Hard
Copy dialog box. This box provides a number of popular file export formats (BMP, EPS, JPEG, TIFF and
PNG) along with limited page layout and configuration options. These formats allow you to export your
output window (or full screen) contents into a large number of commercially available desk top publishing
or presentation software applications.
ANSYS, Inc. JPEG software is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG Group, Copyright 1998,
Thomas G. Lane.
Release 15.0 - © SAS IP, Inc. All rights reserved. - Contains proprietary and confidential information