How do I send .png plot to stdout in gnuplot?

Question

Currently, I do something like the following:

set term png
set output 'file.png'

But hardcoding filename in the script is quite inflexible. Is there some way to tell gnuplot to output image file to stdout, so I will be able to redirect it's output where needed?

Rogach · Accepted Answer · 2013-06-17 19:39:51Z

14

If you do want to send your .png to stdout, just don't set the output:

#!/usr/bin/env gnuplot
set term png
plot x

Then run the script

./plot.plt > mypng.png

I think the bash wrapper makes more sense for most purposes, but this is potentially useful as well.

edited Jun 17, 2013 at 19:39

Rogach

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answered Jun 17, 2013 at 14:38

andyras

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2 Comments

Rogach Over a year ago

I, on the other hand, believe that bash wrapper is almost useless for most purposes. This is exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

Jon Gjengset Over a year ago

For other people who might hit the same snag as me and are seeing gnuplot> in their output: don't run gnuplot - when giving commands on stdin, just pipe to gnuplot without -.

devnull · Accepted Answer · 2013-06-17 12:40:03Z

1

Put your gnuplot script inside a script and use a here document:

#!/bin/bash
gnuplot << EOF
set term png
set output "$1.png"
plot "$1.dat"
EOF

Now invoke the script, say plot.sh, by specifying the prefix to output file and data as argument: bash plot.sh file.

answered Jun 17, 2013 at 12:40

devnull

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