Mechanical APDL Basic Analysis Guide - Ansys

Chapter 18: External Graphics
Besides creating and controlling graphics that you view directly in ANSYS, 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 stand-alone 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 Plots
18.1. External Graphics Options
While in ANSYS, 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 UNIX
18.1.4. Exporting Graphics in UNIX
18.1.1. Printing Graphics in Windows
In ANSYS, you can obtain hard copy output by choosing Utility Menu> PlotCtrls> Hard Copy. You then
choose to print the contents of the graphics window, or to create an exportable graphics file. When the To
Printer option is selected, the Windows printer dialog box for the designated printer is displayed. Printing
options, including page layout, output resolution and document handling can be modified from this, systemcontrolled
panel.
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 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 that is gaining widespread acceptance in many
computer applications, including the web. It is a lossless, true-color image format that minimizes the distortion,
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of ANSYS, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
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