Almost all graphical user interface (GUI) interaction generates commands, and these commands are written to a file called lspost.cfile. Upon exiting LS-PrePost, this file can be renamed to replay the previous session using one of the following methods:
1. LS-PrePost c=commandfile
This method launches the LS-PrePost GUI and executes the commands from the command file.
2. LS-PrePost c=commandfile -nographics
This method does not launch the LS-PrePost GUI but still executes the commands in batch mode. Since there is no graphics window and no graphics operations, this option limits the operations to perform data extraction or any process that does not need graphics.
3. File -> Open -> Command File
This method will open a command file selection dialog. Upon opening a command file, LS-PrePost will display the CFile Dialog.
LS-PrePost accepts the following command line arguments:
-usage prints this help information -nographics processes data without graphics window d3plot loads d3plot file d3plot k=keyword_file loads both d3plot and keyword input files d3thdt loads d3thdt file cdb=cdb/help writes template create_postdb.inp file and exits cdb=create_postdb.inp writes database from d3plot files c=command_fil runs command file session d=database_file loads database file f=interface_force_file loads interface force file h=time_history_file loads time history file i=iges_file loads IGES file k=keyword_file loads LS-DYNA keyword file l=plot_labels loads annotation labels file m=macro_file loads command file to be used in macro n=nastran_bulk_data converts nastran data to keyword q=d3crack_file loads d3crack file s=d3plot loads d3plot, writes summary lspost.msg v=vda_file loads VDA file w=xsizeXysize sets graphics window size
Command Files can be a powerful tool and have many potential uses such as performing repetitive tasks and presenting a pre-recorded set of actions to an audience. The following commands can be inserted into a command file to provide additional control when composing a presentation:
- interactive - switch the control from command file to interactive
- resume/r/esc - any of these 3 will switch control back to command file
- skip - skip commands that follow until an "endskip" is met
- endskip - resume command execution
- cfile pausetime 0.1 - set pausetime to 0.1 seconds
Command Line
Command line input:commands can be directly entered here Last Command Field: the last command issued is displayed here Below is a list of commands that can be entered on the Command Line in LS-PrePost. The list is only a subset of some of the more basic commands. For additional commands, please refer to the contents of lspost.cfile saved at the end of each LS-PrePost session. To see commands generated while interacting with the graphical user interface, watch the message window output.
Note: By default, orientation commands (such as those generated when the model is rotated) are written to the command file (lspost.cfile). These can be filtered out by setting "Record_orient" in the menu Setting-> Configuration Settings .
ac | center displayed parts fit to graphics area |
anim backward | animate backwards |
anim cycle | cycle animation forward and backward |
anim first n | set starting state for animation to state n |
anim forward | animate forward |
anim incr n | set animation increment by n states |
anim last n | set ending state for animation to state n |
anim start | start animation |
anim stop | stop animation |
back | display back view |
background R G B | change background color (R,G,B values range from 0.0-1.0) |
background 1 1 1 | change background color to white |
background 0 0 0 | change background color to black |
beamprism 0 | draw beams as lines, 1 to draw beams as prisms |
bottom | display bottom view |
c | comment line marker (like using $ in a keyword input file) |
edge | display model in edge mode |
edgelwidth i | change edge line width (i value ranges from 1-5) |
endfull | restore GUI and graphics (see "full" command) |
exit | exit LS-PrePost |
feat | display model in feature mode |
featang d | change feature angle to "d" degrees |
front | display front view |
full | change graphics area to full screen (Esc to restore) |
grid | display model in grid mode |
hide | display model in hide mode |
home | reset display to default (top) view |
import keyword model.k | import file "model.k" and add it to the current model |
labelcolor R G B | change label color (see "background" command) |
left | display left view |
m i,j,k... | display part i,j,k where i,j,k are part IDs |
m i:j | display part IDs from PIDi to PIDj |
mesh | turn mesh on |
meshcolor R G B | change mesh color (see "background" command) |
meshlwidth i | change mesh line width (i value ranges from 1-5) |
open command cfile | load command file named cfile |
open d3plot d3plot | load d3plot file named d3plot |
open d3thdt d3thdt | load d3thdt file named d3thdt |
open keyword model.k | load file model.k |
outline R G B | change outline color (see "background" command) |
outlining 1 | draw outlines on free edges |
outlining 2 | draw outlines on free edges and feature lines |
pall | display all parts |
parallel | change display to parallel projection mode |
perspective | change display to perspective projection mode |
pixtol i | change pick search tolerance to "i" pixels (default=100) |
raoff | remove all reflections |
raxy | reflect model about xy-plane |
raxz | reflect model about xz plane |
razy | reflect model about yz-plane |
redraw | redraw model with current settings |
restore | restore display to original position and remove all settings |
right | display right view |
rotang d | set rotation angle increment to "d" degrees |
rstpart | restore last part that was turned off |
rx | rotate model about global x axis (see "rotang" command) |
ry | rotate model about global y axis |
rz | rotate model about global z axis |
shad | display modle in shaded mode |
shademode 0 | change display to flat shading, 1 uses smooth shading |
showlegend 0 | turn legend off, 1 turns it on |
showtriad 0 | turn triad off, 1 turns it on |
shrink | toggle shrink mode on/off |
state +n | advance display by n states |
state -n | rewind display by n states |
system "command" | issue a unix system command (ex: system "xterm&") |
t | exit LS-PrePost |
texon 0 | turn textured fringing off, 1 turns it on |
textcolor R G B | change text color (see "background" command) |
timestamp 0 | turn timestamp off, 1 turns it on |
title "xxxxxx" | change title to xxxxxx |
title 0 | turn title off, 1 turns it on |
userfringefontsize i | set graphics area font size |
top | display top view |
userfringefontsize i | set graphics area font size(i value ranges from 0-6, 0 restores default) |
view | display model in view mode (flat shaded mode) |
wire | display model in wire mode |
zin xmn ymn xmx ymx | zoom in where x and y values range from 0.0 to 1.0(0.0,0.0 is top left, 1.0,1.0 is bottom right) |
zout | zoom out (undo the last zin) |
+m i | add part i to display |
+m i:j | add part from PIDi to PIDj to display |
-m i | remove part i from display |
-m i:j | remove parts from PIDi to PIDj from display |