Batch Processing

You can run Tecplot RS without displaying any graphics on your screen. This method, called batch processing, can save time when you want to process multiple data sets into plots to print or export.

Batch Processing Overview

These guidelines govern the use of batch processing in Tecplot RS:

  • Use a macro to give Tecplot RS instructions to work with data through batch processing. Create the macro first and save it to the bin folder of your Tecplot RS installation.

  • To run a macro in batch processing mode, use the command line to navigate to the bin folder of your installation. Then type tecplotrs -b macro.mcr, where macro.mcr is the name of the macro you want Tecplot RS to run.

  • You can use Tecplot RS in batch mode only on your local machine.

For in-depth instructions and explanations, see the following sections.

Running Tecplot RS in batch mode (using the -b flag) runs Tecplot RS with OpenGL rendering done in the software rather than with the video card, as running in -mesa mode does. In batch mode, Tecplot RS does not display the rendering.

Batch Processing Setup

To prepare for batch processing, follow these basic steps:

  1. Create a macro file to control the batch processing. You can do this either by choosing Record Macro from the Macro menu and recording from within a Tecplot RS session, or by using an ASCII text editor. See Macros: Task Automation for more information.

  2. Create project files for the macros to use, as necessary.

  3. Prepare data files.

  4. Debug the macro file by running Tecplot RS while not in batch mode.

Macros should work with future releases if they begin with a blank project file. Refer to the Tecplot 360 Scripting Guide for more information.

To use batch processing, you must run at least one macro. When you launch Tecplot RS in batch mode, it requires that you provide the name of a macro file to execute. The minimal command to launch Tecplot RS in batch mode is as follows:

tecplotrs -b macrofile.mcr

The -b flag instructs Tecplot RS to run in batch mode, and the macrofile tells Tecplot RS the name of the macro file to execute. Refer to Command Line Options for more details and options.

In order to run Tecplot RS in batch mode, you should first navigate to the bin folder of your Tecplot RS installation. You can run batch processing without navigating by including the full path (in quotation marks) of tecplotrs and macrofile.mcr.

Batch Processing Using a Project File

Combining project files with batch processing is both powerful and flexible. It is also the recommended method. With project files you can organize a plot with a plot type, a template, and style settings. The project file manages data sets, and you can alter it easily, either from the command line or within a macro that loads the project file, to load whichever data sets you want to use. Then load the project in Tecplot RS using the command:

tecplotrs -b batch.rsprj

Batch Processing Diagnostics

Each time Tecplot RS is run in batch mode it creates a file named batch.log in the folder in which Tecplot RS was started. (You can name this file differently by defining an environment variable called BATCHLOGFILE. If the name given in the BATCHLOGFILE environment variable is a relative path, the directory name where Tecplot RS was started is prefixed.) Tecplot RS sends a running commentary on actions performed in Tecplot RS, as well as warning and error messages, to the batch.log file.