Quick Reference Guide

Tecplot 360 EX 2022 Release 1

Command Line
The general form for running Tecplot 360 EX from the command line is:
tec360 [options]
The available options include:

-addonfile filename Supply a custom list of addons via the tecplot.add file.

-b macrofile Run in batch mode.

-c cfgfile Use cfgfile for the configuration instead of the default configuration file, tecplot.cfg.

Loads all the specified data files, and runs specified macros in a restricted batch
-convert mode in which the only permitted options are reading data files (in any supported
format) and writing SZL files. Does not use a license key. See also -o.

Display on computer computername (Linux only). The target system must have X-
-display computername
server capability with the GLX extension.

-datafile filename Load data file filename.

Send debug information to the file dbugfile. Information is displayed to aid in

debugging a new configuration file, macro file, or binary data file. You may specify
-debug dbugfile
the minus sign (“-”) for dbugfile to send the debug output to the “standard output”
(Mac/Linux only).

-f fontfile Use fontfile instead of the default font file, tecplot.fnt.

-h homedir Use homedir for the home directory instead of the default home directory.

--help Open help message for command-line flags.

-loadaddon “addonname” Load an add-on named addonname.

-m colormapfile Use colormapfile as the initial color map file.

Restrict the number of processors (processor cores) employed by Tecplot 360 to the
numprocs specified. Some tasks can be performed in parallel, so using all available
--max-available-processors processors greatly increases performance of those tasks. By default, Tecplot 360
numprocs uses all processors available on the machine to provide the best performance in
most cases. Assign a value less than the total number of available processors to
limit the number of processors used by Tecplot 360 to the assigned number.

Copyright © 1988-2022 Part Number: 22-360-10-1 Released: 7/2022

 Linux Only – Use a version of the OpenGL rendering library which uses software
rendering (using CPU) rather than hardware rendering (using the GPU and
installed/native drivers). Use this flag in situations when a graphics card and/or
driver do not exist or it is not working. For assistance troubleshooting see the
--mesa Troubleshooting Appendix in the User’s Manual. Mesa libraries are used for both
-mesa (deprecated) on- and off-screen rendering, if you are only working in batch use --osmesa. Mesa
may be slower and lower quality on-screen rendering than hardware rendering
(using the GPU) but will be reliable.
For Windows - copy the opengll32.dll from the bin\mesa directory to the bin
directory in order to use mesa rendering.

Linux Only – Use when the standard versions of mesa and osmesa libraries conflict
--mesa-swrast
with default libraries. Use these options only as a last resort. They cannot be used
--osmesa-swrast
with regular --mesa or --osmesa commands.

-nobanner Do not show the opening banner (i.e. splash screen).

-nobatchlog Suppress creation of the file batch.log during batch mode operation.

-nostdaddons Do not load the add-ons listed in the tecplot.add file.

Do not display the Welcome Screen at startup (it may still be opened after launch
-nowelcomescreen
from the View menu)

Writes the specified SZL file from the data loaded from other files (including
-o outputfile.szplt macros) specified on the command line, then exit. Does not require a license key.
See also the -convert command.

Linux Only – Use a version of the OpenGL rendering library which is designed for
off screen export using software rendering (using CPU) where there is no X server
--osmesa
connection. OSMesa is automatically used when running in batch mode without an
X server connection. Also use this flag if 360 or PyTecplot crash in batch mode.

-p scriptfile Play the macro commands in the file scriptfile.mcr.

-q Use quick playback mode. Ignores delay and pause commands.

Place the macro functions in quickpanelfile in the Quick Macro Panel, instead of
-qm quickpanelfile
using the macros from the default file, tecplot.mcr.

-quiet Turns off all standard-out messages (Linux only).

-r printfile Set the filename for routing Print Files to printfile.

-s stylefile Use stylefile as a stylesheet for the first frame (*.sty).

-showpanel Open the Quick Macro Panel upon startup.

Use the libraries from the bin/sys sub-folder below the tecplot home directory
when running Tecplot. The sys sub-folder contains the version of libstdc++ that was
--use-sys
used to build Tecplot and may be required when running older Linux systems.
(Linux only).

-v Display the version number.

-y exportfile Set the filename for export files to exportfile.

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 Mouse & Keyboard Shortcuts

Mouse & Keyboard Shortcuts

3D Rotate Tools

Alt-Click-and-drag Rotate about the viewer position using the active Rotate tool.

Middle-click-and-drag Smoothly zoom in and out of the data.

Right-click-and-drag Translate the data.

Control-right-click-and-drag
(Mac OS X: Command-right- Rotate about the rotation origin (any tool may be active).
click-and-drag)

C Move the rotation origin to the probed point, ignoring zones.

O Set the center of rotation.

R Switch to Rollerball rotation.

S Switch to Spherical rotation.

T Switch to Twist rotation.

X Switch to X-axis rotation.

Y Switch to Y-axis rotation.

Z Switch to Z-axis rotation.

Contour Add Tool

Alt-click Place a contour line by probing on a streamtrace, slice, or iso-surface.

Click Place a contour line.

Control-click Replace the nearest contour line with a new line.

Click-and-drag Move the new contour line.

- Switch to the Contour Remove tool.

Contour Remove Tool

Click Remove the contour line nearest to the probed location.

+ Switch to the Contour Add tool.

Geometry Polyline Tool

A Allow translation of polyline segments in all directions.

H Restrict translation of the current polyline segment to horizontal.

U End the current polyline at last clicked point and start a new one.

V Restrict translation of current polyline segment to vertical.

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Probe Tool

If the pointer is over a single valid cell, the interpolated field values from all nodes
in the cell are returned.
Click If multiple cells are candidates, the action is dependent upon the plot type:
For 2D, the cell from the highest number zone is used.
For 3D, the cell closest to the viewer is used.

If the pointer is over a single valid cell, the field values from the nearest node in the
cell are returned.

If multiple cells are candidates, the action is dependent upon the plot type:
Control-click For 2D, the cell from the highest number zone is used.
For 3D, the cell closest to the viewer is used.

If the pointer is not over any cell, then the field values from nearest data point (as
measured in distance on the screen) are returned.

The field values from the nearest point on the screen are returned (ignoring
surfaces, zone number, and depth of the point).
Shift-Control-click This is useful in 3D for probing on data points that are on the back side of a closed
surface without having to rotate the object. In 2D, this is useful for probing on data
points for zones that may be underneath other zones.

Probe only on streamtraces, iso-surfaces, or slices.

Alt-click If multiple cells are candidates, the action is dependent upon the plot type:
For 2D, the cell from the highest number zone is used.
For 3D, the cell closest to the viewer is used.

Probe only on streamtraces, iso-surfaces, or slices.

If multiple cells are candidates, the action is dependent upon the plot type:
For 2D, the cell from the highest number zone is used.
Alt-Control-click
For 3D, the cell closest to the viewer is used.

If the pointer is not over any cell, then the field values from nearest data point (as
measured in distance on the screen) are returned.

Probe only on streamtraces, iso-surfaces, or slices. The field values from the nearest
Alt-Control-Shift-click
point on the screen are returned.

X, Y When probing, press X or Y in XY Line to switch dependencies, or R or T in Polar

T, R Line.

Slice Tool

+ Turn on start/end slices, or increment the number of intermediate slices.

- Turn off start/end slices, or decrement the number of intermediate slices.

If no slices are displayed for the current slice group, place the primary slice.
Click Otherwise, move the closest displayed start, end, and primary slice from its current
position to the clicked position.

Place the start, end, or primary slice (whichever is closer to the click position) on the
Alt-click
nearest derived object (streamtrace, slice or iso-surface).

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 Mouse & Keyboard Shortcuts

Place the start, end, or primary slice (whichever is closer to the click position) on the
Control-click
nearest data point.

Switch to slicing constant I, J, or K-planes, respectively. Available for ordered zones

I, J, K
only.

X, Y, Z Switch to slicing constant X-, Y-, or Z-planes, respectively.

A Switch to arbitrary slice mode.

1-8 Switch between slice groups.

Streamtrace Placement tools (3D Cartesian plots only)

D Change the streamtrace style to streamrods.

R Change the streamtrace style to streamribbons.

S Change the streamtrace style to surface lines.

V Change the streamtrace style to volume lines.

Change the number of streamtraces to be added when placing a rake of

1-9
streamtraces.

Translate Tool

- Reduce the magnification of the data.

+ Increase the magnification of the data.

Drag Translate the data.

Shift-drag Translate the paper.

Shift - - Reduce the magnification of the paper.

Shift - + Increase the magnification of the paper.

Zoom Tool

Click Center the zoom around the location of your click.

Control-click Center the zoom around the location of your click and zoom out.

Drag Draw a box to set the frame view.

Selector Tool

Click Select the frontmost object at the clicked location.

Control-click Select the next object behind the currently selected object (“dig”).

Multiple selection. Click the first object, then shift-click subsequent objects to add
Shift-click
them to the selection

Alt-click Ignore zone objects when selecting.

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Selected Object Options

Reduce the size of the object. If multiple objects are selected, all object positions
-
will be shifted towards the first object selected.

Increase the size of the object. If multiple objects are selected, all object positions
+
will be shifted away from the first object selected.

Delete Delete selected object(s).

Control-C Copy selected object(s) to the clipboard.

Control-V Paste selected object(s) from the clipboard.

Control-X Cut selected object(s) to the clipboard, deleting them from the plot.

Time Navigation

Home Jump to start.

Left Arrow Step backward.

Space bar Play or pause animation.

Right Arrow Step forward.

End Jump to end.

Other Keyboard Operations

Fit Surfaces (3D Only) - Resize plot so that all surfaces are included in the frame,
excluding any volume zones.
Control-F
Fit to Full Size (2D, XY, Polar, Sketch) - Fit the entire plot into the frame (including
data, text and geometries).

Fit Surfaces (3D Only) - Resizes plot so that all data points, text, and geometries are
Control-E
included in the frame.

Control-L Last - Restore the last frame view.

Control-O Open a layout file.

Control-P Print.

Control-Q Exit.

Control-S Save the current layout to its file.

Control-W Save the current layout to a specified file.

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 Macro Variables

Macro Variables

Variables Notes
Retrieves auxiliary data named Auxname from a dataset. For example,
|AUXDATASET:Auxname|
|AUXDATASET:Reynolds| retrieves auxiliary data “Reynolds”.

Retrieves auxiliary data named Auxname from a frame: |AUXFRAME:MyFrame|

|AUXFRAME:Auxname|
retrieves auxiliary data “MyFrame” from the active frame.

Retrieves auxiliary data named Auxname from a specific zone. For example,
|AUXZONE:Auxname|
|AUXZONE[3]:BC| retrieves auxiliary data ʺBCʺ from zone 3.

|AXISMAXn| Maximum value of the n-axis range, where n is one of: Aa, R, X, Y or Z.

|AXISMINn| Minimum value of the n-axis range, where n is one of: Aa, R, X, Y or Z.

|BYTEORDERING| Returns the byte ordering (INTEL or MOTOROLA).

Contains full path to loaded data file. If multiple data files have been loaded, use
|DATASETFNAME[nnn]|
e.g. |DATASETFNAME[2]| to specify the desired path (indexing by load order).

|DATASETTITLE| Returns the title of the dataset, or “No Data Set” if a dataset does not exist.

|DATE| Returns the date in the form of dd Mmm yyyy.

|ENDSLICEPOS| Returns the position of the end slice.

|EXPORTISRECORDING| Returns YES/NO to help macros complete record commands in the proper order.

|FRAMENAME| Returns the name of the active frame.

|INBATCHMODE| Returns 1 if in batch mode, 0 if in interactive mode.

|ISDATASETAVAILABLE| Returns 1 if a dataset exists, and 0 otherwise.

|ISOSURFACELEVEL| Returns the current iso-surface’s iso-value.

|LAYOUTFNAME| Returns the current layout file name.

|LOOP| Innermost loop counter.

|MACROFILEPATH| Returns the path to the directory containing the most recently opened macro file.

|MAXB| Maximum value of the blanking variable.

|MAXC| Maximum value of the contour variable.

[I, J, K]-dimension of the first active zone. For finite-element zones, MAXI is the
|MAXI|, |MAXJ|, |MAXK| number of nodes, MAXJ is the number of elements, and MAXK is the number of
nodes per element (cell-based) or total number of faces (face-based).

|MAXn| Maximum value of the variable assigned to an axis: A (theta, i.e. Angle), R, X, Y, Z.

|MAXS| Maximum value of the scatter sizing variable in the active zones.

|MAXU|, |MAXV|, Maximum value of the variable assigned to the [X, Y, Z]-vector component of the
|MAXW| active zones.

|MAXVAR[nnn]| Maximum value of the variable nnn.

|MINB| Minimum value of the blanking variable.

|MINC| Minimum value of the contour variable.

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 Variables Notes
|MINS| Minimum value of the scatter sizing variable for the active zones.

Minimum value of the variable assigned to the [X, Y, Z]-vector component for the
|MINU|, |MINV|, |MINW|
active zones.

|MINVAR[nnn]| Minimum value of the variable nnn.

|MINn| Minimum value of the variable assigned to an axis: A (theta, i.e. Angle), R, X, Y, Z.

|NUMFRAMES| Number of frames.

|NUMFIELDMAPS| Number of fieldmaps assigned to the active frame.

|NUMLINEMAPS| Number of linemaps assigned to the active frame.

|NUMPAGES| Number of pages.

Number of processors in use. This may be lower than the number of processors on
|NUMPROCESSORSUSED|
your system due to a $!Limits MaxAvailableProcessors command in tecplot.cfg.

|NUMVARS| Number of variables in the current dataset.

|NUMZONES| Number of zones in the current dataset.

|OPSYS| Returns 1=Linux/Macintosh, 2=Windows.

|PAPERHEIGHT| The height of the paper (in inches).

|PAPERSIZE| The size of the paper (e.g. Letter or A4).

|PAPERWIDTH| The width of the paper (in inches).

|PLATFORMNAME| Returns the type of platform (e.g. SGI or Windows).

|PLOTTYPE| Returns the plot type. 0 = Sketch, 1 = XY Line, 2 = 2D, 3 = 3D, 4 = Polar Line.

|PRINTFNAME| Returns the file name of the last file sent for printing.

|SLICEPLANETYPE| Plane type to which slices are assigned.

|SOLUTIONTIME| The current solution time.

|SOLUTIONTIME[[ACTIVE Returns the solution time of zone nnn. If ACTIVEOFFSET= is used, the integer
OFFSET=]nnn]| value indicates the first zone associated with the nnnth active field map.

|STARTSLICEPOS| Position of the first slice.

|STREAMSTARTPOS| Streamtrace starting position in X, Y, Z coordinates.

|STREAMTYPE| Returns the streamtrace type such as “Surface Line” or “Surface Ribbon”.

|TECHOME| Path to the home directory.

|TECPLOTVERSION| The product version number.

|TIME| The current time in the form of hh:mm:ss.

|VARNAME| The name of a specified variable.

|ZONEMESHCOLOR[nnn]| Returns the color of the mesh for zone nnn.

|ZONENAME[nnn]| Returns the name of zone nnn.

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 Dynamic Text

Dynamic Text

Variables Notes
&(AUXDATASET:name) The value of the named auxiliary data attached to the dataset.

&(AUXFRAME:name) The value of the named auxiliary data attached to the frame.

&(AUXPAGE:name) The value of the named auxiliary data attached to the page.

&(AUXVAR[nnn]:name) The value of the named auxiliary data attached to variable nnn.

The value of the named auxiliary data attached to linemap Q, where Q = either nnn
or ACTIVEOFFSET = nnn and nnn = linemap number. If ACTIVEOFFSET= is used,
&(AUXLINEMAP[Q]:name)
the integer value indicates the first linemap associated with the nnnth active
fieldmap.

The value of the named auxiliary data attached to Q, where Q = either nnn or
&(AUXZONE[Q]:name) ACTIVEOFFSET = nnn and nnn = zone number. If ACTIVEOFFSET= is used, the
integer value indicates the first zone associated with the nnnth active fieldmap.

&(AXISMAXn) Maximum value of the current n-axis range, where n is one of: Aa, R, X, Y, or Z.

&(AXISMINn) Minimum value of the current n-axis range, where n is one of: Aa, R, X, Y, or Z.

&(BYTEORDERING) Displays the platform’s byte ordering (INTEL or MOTOROLA).

&(DATE) The current date, in the format dd Mmm yyyy.

Filename of the nnnth file associated with the current dataset. If nnn is omitted, then
&(DATASETFNAME[nnn])
all dataset filenames are shown, separated by new lines.

&(DATASETTITLE) The current dataset title.

&(ENDSLICEPOS[<slice
The position of the ending slice plane.
grouporactiveoffset>])

&(EXPORTISRECORDING) Returns “YES” if recording is active, otherwise returns “NO”.

&(FRAMENAME) The frame name.

&(INBATCHMODE) Returns a value of 1 if the software is in batch mode, 0 if interactive.

&(ISDATASETAVAILABLE) Returns a value of 1 if a dataset exists for the current frame, 0 if nonexistent.

&(ISOSURFACELEVEL[<iso
surfacegrouporactiveoffset>] The value of the contour variable on the nnnth iso-surface.
[nnn])

&(LAYOUTFNAME) The name of the current layout file.

&(LOOP) Innermost loop counter.

&(MACROFILEPATH) Path to the folder containing the most recently opened macro file.

Maximum value of the n variable, where n is one of: Aa, R, X, Y, or Z. For 2D or 3D

&(MAXn) Cartesian plots, the value is calculated from all active zones. For line plots, the
value is calculated from the zone assigned to the first active linemap.

Maximum value of the blanking variable for the first active constraint. For 2D or
&(MAXB) 3D Cartesian plots, the value is calculated from the active zones. For line plots, the
value is calculated from the zone assigned to the first active linemap.

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 Variables Notes
Maximum value of the contour variable for contour group 1. For 2D or 3D
&(MAXC) Cartesian plots, the value is calculated from the active zones. For line plots, the
value is calculated from the zone assigned to the first active linemap.

[I, J, K]-dimension of the first active zone. For finite-element zones, MAXI is the
&(MAXI), &(MAXJ),
number of nodes, MAXJ is the number of elements, and MAXK is the number of
&(MAXK)
nodes per element (cell-based) or total number of faces (face-based).

&(MAXS) Maximum value of the scatter sizing variable of the active zones.

&(MAXU), &(MAXV), Maximum value of the variable assigned to the [X, Y, Z]-vector component of the
&(MAXW) active zones.

&(MAXVAR[nnn]) Maximum value of variable nnn.

Minimum value of the n variable, where n is one of: Aa, R, X, Y, or Z. For 2D or 3D

&(MINn) Cartesian plots, the value is calculated from all active zones. For line plots, the
value is calculated from the zone assigned to the first active linemap.

Minimum value of the blanking variable of the first active blanking constraint. For
&(MINB) 2D or 3D Cartesian plots, the value is calculated from all active zones. For line
plots, the value is calculated from the zone assigned to the first active linemap.

Minimum value of the contour variable of contour group 1. For 2D or 3D Cartesian

&(MINC) plots, the value is calculated from all active zones. For line plots, the value is
calculated from the zone assigned to the first active linemap.

&(MINS) Minimum value of the scatter sizing variable for the active zones.

&(MINU), &(MINV), Minimum value of the variable assigned to the [X, Y, Z]-vector component for the
&(MINW) active zones.

&(MINVAR[nnn]) Minimum value of variable nnn.

&(NUMFRAMES) Number of frames.

&(NUMPAGES) Number of pages.

Number of processors used. This may be different than the total number on the
&(NUMPROCESSORS
machine because of the $!Limits MaxAvailableProcessors configuration file
USED)
command, or because of a product limitation.

&(NUMVARS) Number of variables in the current dataset.

&(NUMXYMAPS) Number of XY-linemaps assigned to the current frame.

&(NUMZONES) Number of zones in current dataset.

&(OPSYS) Displays the current operating system. 1=Linux/Macintosh, 2=Windows.

&(PAPERHEIGHT) The paper height (in inches).

&(PAPERWIDTH) The paper width (in inches).

&(PLATFORM) The platform type (e.g. LINUX or WINDOWS).

Plot type of the current frame: 0 for Sketch, 1 for XY Line, 2 for Cartesian 2D, 3 for
&(PLOTTYPE)
Cartesian 3D, and 4 for Polar Line.

&(PRIMARYSLICEPOS
The primary slice position.
[<slicegrouporactiveoffset>])

10
 Additional Resources

Variables Notes
&(PRINTFNAME) The name of the current print file.

&(SLICEPLANETYPE[<slice
The type of the slice plane (X, Y, Z, I, J or K-planes).
grouporactiveoffset>])

&(SOLUTIONTIME) The current solution time.

Solution time of Q, where Q = either nnn or ACTIVEOFFSET = nnn and nnn = zone
number. If ACTIVEOFFSET= is used, the integer value indicates the first zone
&(SOLUTIONTIME[Q]) associated with the nnnth active fieldmap. &(SOLUTIONTIME[5]) displays the
solution time of the 5th zone. &(SOLUTIONTIME[ACTIVEOFFSET=3]) displays the
solution time of the first zone in the 3rd active fieldmap.

&(STARTSLICEPOS[<slice
The position of the starting slice plane.
grouporactiveoffset>])

&(STRANDID[x]) The strandID of a zone in dynamic text.

&(STREAMSTARTPOS
Starting position (X, Y, Z) of the nnnth streamtrace.
[nnn])

Type (Surface Line, Volume Line, Volume Ribbon, Volume Rod) of the nnnth
&(STREAMTYPE[nnn])
streamtrace.

&($string) The value of the system environment variable string.

&(TECHOME) Path to the home directory.

&(TECPLOTVERSION) Displays the version number.

&(TIME) The current time, in the format hh:mm:ss.

&(VARNAME[nnn]) The variable name of variable nnn.

Color of the mesh for zone Q, where Q = either nnn or ACTIVEOFFSET = nnn and
nnn = zone number. If ACTIVEOFFSET= is used, the integer value indicates the
&(ZONEMESHCOLOR[Q])
nnnth active zone for field plots or the zone associated with the nnnth active linemap
for line plots.

The zone name of zone Q, where Q = either nnn or ACTIVEOFFSET = nnn and nnn =
zone number. If ACTIVEOFFSET= is used, the integer value nnn indicates the nnnth
&(ZONENAME[Q])
active zone for field plots. For line plots, indicates the zone associated with the nnnth
active linemap that will be defaulted to upon deactivation of a previous zone.
a. where A represents the theta (or angle) axis variable in Polar Line plots.

Additional Resources
For detailed information on any of the topics discussed in this guide, refer to the User’s Manual included
in your installation package. The same information is available in the help system available from the
product’s Help menu or the Help buttons throughout the product.

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Custom Characters

Build Revision 14403

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Custom Characters

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