Using Settings Files

Settings files provide an easy and flexible way of defining default plotting values for your plots and plot sets.

You can use settings files to:

• Store plotting parameters so that they can be easily reused. For example, if you always plot at a particular size with a specific color table and design script, then those qualifiers (along with their values) can be placed into a default settings file that the software automatically reads.

• Establish settings that pertain to the entire plot set, such as printer name.

• Enforce drawing standards. By using settings files you can force on/off levels and display parameters, use a particular scale, or pen table/design script.

• Eliminate typographical errors. Less typing and file selection is required in specifying the plotting parameters when you use settings files.

• Group together plotting parameters so that you can apply them to a specific plot or plot set.

• Assist novice users. Settings files can reduce the need to navigate through dialogs entirely. For most cases settings files get you closer to one button plotting.

Three types of settings files are supported:

• Default Settings Files

• Printer Settings Files

• Manually-applied Settings Files

The software automatically applies default and printer settings files, but you must take additional steps to use manually-applied settings files. Each plotting interface provides a method for manually applying a settings file.