Grapher 1 and 2 FAQ

Version History

This page covers frequently asked questions about Grapher Versions 1 and 2. 

• For version 8, see Grapher 8 FAQ
• For version 7, see Grapher 7 FAQ
• For version 6, see Grapher 6 FAQ
• For version 5, see Grapher 5 FAQ
• For version 4, see Grapher 4 FAQ
• For version 3, see Grapher FAQ for Version 3.

Q1. How can I get the latest version of Grapher?

Q2. I have several objects in one area of my graph.  I want to edit a particular object, but when I try to select it with my mouse Grapher selects a different object.  How can I get Grapher to select what I want it to?

Q3. I have many line plots in my graph and I would like to name the plots with more descriptive names.  How do I do this?

Q4. I would like date labels on one of my axes, but when I specify the worksheet column in the line plot dialog box that contains my date labels Grapher does not plot the data.

Q5. I want to have two corresponding Y axes on the same plot in Grapher 2.   For example, I want a Y axis displaying temperature in Celsius on the left and Fahrenheit on the right. How would I do this?

Q6. I want to create several plots on the same page using the same X axis but different Y axes.  How can I do this in Grapher 2?

Q7. How can I print several graphs at once in Grapher 2?

Q8. I need to print my graph on a printer attached to a computer that does not have Grapher installed.  Can I do this?

Q9. I am using Windows 95 (or Windows 98) and I want to plot my graph onto large paper, but Grapher only accepts paper sizes less than 32.76 inches.  How can I bypass this limitation?

Q10. My data are contained in several different data files and I want to display the data on the same graph using the same axes.  Is there a way to do this?

Q11. I want to use Greek symbols in my text blocks.  How can I get Grapher to write Greek symbols?

Q12. How do I make DXF files with Grapher?

Q13. I need to create several graphs that have many of the same settings (i.e. axis titles, etc.).  Is there a way I can create a template graph that works with several data files?

Q14. I have created a graph but a plot does not appear within the axes.   What happened?

Q15. How can I use exponential tick labels (i.e. 106) on a logarithmic axis?  I would like to display these labels with superscripts rather than 10E+006.

Q16. I am having trouble installing Grapher version 2.

Q17. I would like to digitize data points from a bitmap graph.  How can I do this with Grapher?

Q18. How do I create an Encapsulated PostScript file with Grapher?

Q19. Does Grapher work with Windows 2000 or Windows XP?

Q20. Do you have any examples showing how to automate Grapher 2 using Visual C++ (VC++) or Visual Basic (VB)?

Q21. How can I create my own symbols for use in Grapher?

Q22. I have invested in Adobe typefaces.  How do I use these type faces with Golden Software products?

Q23. I would like to use international characters in my text strings in Grapher.

Q24. I receive the error message "Ordinal 6880 could not be located in the dynamic link library MFC42.DLL" when installing or executing Grapher.  How can this be corrected?

Q25. I am having a problem printing ("Out of global memory" error, only a portion of the map prints, etc.).

Q26. Where do I find my serial number?

Q27. Is technical support free?

Q1. How can I get the latest version of Grapher?
A. Minor updates (e.g. version 2.03 to 2.04) may be downloaded for free if your serial number is registered. If you have already registered, send a message to graphersupport@goldensoftware.com with your serial number. Once your serial number is verified, we will send you download instructions. If you have not already registered your serial number, enter the requested information on the Register Software page including your e-mail address, and add a note in the Comments field to Attn: Grapher Support indicating that you would like to download the latest version.  Information about the latest version is listed on the Version History page.

Major upgrades (e.g. version 1 or 2 to version 7) cost US$119 plus shipping.  Refer to the order form for more information.

Q2. I have several objects in one area of my graph.  I want to edit a particular object, but when I try to select it with my mouse Grapher selects a different object.  How can I get Grapher to select what I want it to?
A. If you hold down the <Ctrl> key while clicking the left mouse button, Grapher scrolls through the overlapping objects.  In Grapher 2 you can also select objects through the Object Manager.  Select Edit | Object Manager or double click in the white space to open the Object Manager.  All objects in the plot document window are listed.  Double click on the object in the list to edit its properties.

Q3. I have many line plots in my graph and I would like to name the plots with more descriptive names.  How do I do this?
A. Each object, including graph objects, can be given a unique name in Grapher 2. By default, multiple line plots are named Line/Symbol Plot 1, Line/Symbol Plot 2, etc.   The easiest way to give objects unique names is by using the Object Manager.   To open the Object Manager select Edit | Object Manager or double click in the white space.  Highlight the plot in the Object Manager and then click the Edit ID button.  Type a new ID into the box.  Alternatively, single click on a highlighted object in the Object Manager to edit the ID.

Q4. I would like date labels on one of my axes, but when I specify the worksheet column in the line plot dialog box that contains my date labels Grapher does not plot the data.
A. Grapher requires numeric data for both X and Y axes, so it will not create a plot in which the X axis is based solely on date labels.  If a non-numeric column is chosen to create a graph, axes are displayed but the plot is empty.  There are, however, several ways to create a graph using date labels.

Grapher recognizes two character format types, text and numbers.  There are no date fields in Grapher. Time values such as 1/1/98, January 1, 1998, or 12:30 cannot be used as a variable directly.  Any non-number characters (letters, colons, slashes, hyphens, etc.) cause the numbers to be recognized as text.  Therefore, the previous displays of time are considered text and not numbers.  All non-numeric data must be converted into numbers before graphing the data in Grapher.

To easily create a numeric equivalent of the dates you can use spreadsheet software such as Excel.  Insert a column adjacent to the date column, copy the date column, and then paste it into the new column.  Change the data type from "date" to "number."  Look in the spreadsheet software's help system for more information on converting data types.

Alternatively, you could create numbers manually in Grapher's worksheet.  Open the data you wish to plot into the worksheet.  Use the Insert command in the Edit menu to add a new column adjacent to the date column.  Enter numbers into the new column that corresponds to the date labels.  In the case of data logging, this could be a number indicating the total elapsed time.  Otherwise, you should enter some dummy variable that increases proportionately as your date increases.  For instance, if data are observed each month starting in January 1999, enter 1 by the first data point (Jan 1999), 2 by the second data point (Feb 1999), 3 by the third data point (Mar 1999) and so on.   If the data skip a month, the dummy variable would increment by 2 for the following month.  Save the file when you are done entering the numeric equivalent of the dates.

If the data are evenly spaced you could use the row number as the data value for the plot.  In Grapher 2, select Row Number in the Worksheet Columns group box in the plot dialog box.

Once the dates are converted to numbers using one of the above methods, open a plot window and create the graph using the modified data set.  Select the numeric "date" column for one of the axes.  To change the axis labels from numbers to text dates, double click on the axis containing the numeric dates to edit the axis.   In Grapher 2, click the Tick Labels tab and then select the Date/time option button in the Major Label Text group box.  There are two options for generating date/time labels.  One is to use the date labels from the worksheet and the other to let Grapher generate the date labels for you.  If your data are evenly spaced, use the Date/time button to have Grapher generate the labels.  If the data are not evenly spaced use the Worksheet button to add text labels to the axis.

For detailed examples of creating date labels, please refer to Grapher's on-line help system or manual.

Q5. I want to have two corresponding Y axes on the same plot in Grapher 2.   For example, I want a Y axis displaying temperature in Celsius on the left and Fahrenheit on the right. How would I do this?
A. This procedure describes the simplest of several ways to create two Y axes with different scales.  First create a graph as you normally would with the left Y axis showing temperature in Celsius. Double click on the Y axis and note the axis minimum and maximum.  Press Cancel to exit the Y axis dialog box.  Next, select the Y axis and then select Graph | Add to Graph | Duplicate Axis.  The options in the Position Axis dialog box should default to At the right of... X Axis 1 and Flip tick marks and labels.  Press OK to return to the graph.  After the new Y axis has been added, double click on the axis to edit the axis minimum and maximum.  In this case, convert the first Y axis minimum and maximum from Celsius to Fahrenheit.  Enter the Fahrenheit equivalents into the new axis minimum and maximum boxes.  Note: if you change the left axis range then you will have to manually update the right Y axis to reflect the changes.

Q6. I want to create several plots on the same page using the same X axis but different Y axes.  How can I do this in Grapher 2?
A. Create the first graph in the plot window.  Double click on the Y axis and change the length of the axis to something small (i.e. 1.75"), so that the page may accommodate multiple graphs.  In Grapher 2, select the graph and then select Graph | Add to Graph | Plot.  Choose the plot type you wish to add.  In the Choose Axes dialog box leave the X axis at the default "X Axis 1."  Select "Create new axis" in the Y Axis group box.  Click the Position button in the Y Axis group box.  Select "Y Axis 1" from the drop down list at the bottom of the dialog box in the Position New Axis dialog box.  Then, select the "At the top of" option.  Press OK in all the open dialog boxes until you are prompted to open a data file.  Open a data file for the second plot.  Press OK to create a graph with one X axis and two Y axes stacked on top of one another. Double click on the new Y axis to set the new axis properties.

Q7. How can I print several graphs at once in Grapher 2?
A. Printing multiple graphs can be accomplished using a script.  Two scripts can be downloaded to print multiple data sets using the same template.  The first, print with dialog.bas , prompts you to open a data file for a template graph and then prints the graph.  The program continues to prompt for data files until you press the Cancel button in the Open dialog box.  The second script, print with file.bas , reads data files listed in a text file into a template graph and then prints the graphs.  Download worksheetinputs.txt to see an example text file needed to run print with file.bas.  A third file, print multiple graphs.bas prints multiple graphs that have previously been created.  The script reads the graph file names listed in a text file into Grapher.  The graphs are printed and the Grapher plot window is closed.  The process continues until the end of the text file is reached. 

If you are unfamiliar with executing scripts, please read the following directions:

1. Download the necessary files from above.
2. Open Scripter (Start | Programs | Golden Software Grapher 2.0 | Scripter).
3. Select File | Open and open the script you wish to run.
4. Read the comment lines and change the path names to the location of your files.   The scripts contain multiple path lines so be sure to change all of them, otherwise an error will occur.
5. Run the script (Script | Run).
6. To stop the script select Script | End.  To close Scripter, select File | Exit.

Q8. I need to print my graph on a printer attached to a computer that does not have Grapher installed.  Can I do this?
A. This can be accomplished by printing to a file on your computer rather than printing to a printer.  Check to see if you have the printer driver installed for the printer you will eventually print to.  If the printer driver is not installed on your computer, you will need to install it.  See your Windows documentation for directions.

In Windows (95, 98, or NT4) press the Start button and choose the Printers command from the Settings menu. Right click on the relevant printer and choose Properties.  Look for the tab that contains the printer port options.  Choose the FILE option for the port setting.  Click OK to exit the printer properties box.

In Grapher, print the graph and select the appropriate printer (i.e. HP LaserJet 4 on FILE).  Grapher will then prompt you to enter a path and file name for the printer file.  Once the file has been created, locate this file on your hard drive and then move this file to the computer with the printer.  Open the DOS prompt at the computer with the attached printer.  Copy the file from the disk to the printer port using the syntax: copy filename port (i.e. LPT1).  The graph will print to the appropriate printer.

Q9. I am using Windows 95 (or Windows 98) and I want to plot my graph onto large paper, but Grapher only accepts paper sizes less than 32.76 inches.  How can I bypass this limitation?
A. The Windows 95 and 98 operating systems restrict paper sizes to under 32.76 inches.  You can bypass this limitation by designing your graph at half scale and then printing at 200% scale.  For example, to print on 24"x 40" paper, designate the paper size in Grapher as 12"x 20".  Specify 200% scale in the Print dialog box.  This results in a printed graph of the correct scale on 24"x 40" paper.  Windows NT does not have this 32 inch paper size limitation.

In Grapher 2 there are option buttons in File | Preferences | General for page resolution.  This option allows you to scale the graph at the appropriate size on the screen and exceed the 32.76 page size limitation.  Set the page resolution to 1000 dpi (default), 500 dpi, or 300 dpi.  Changing the resolution affects the maximum page size in the program.

Maximum page sizes:

Since the page resolution alters the internal program coordinates, try to stick with one resolution.  If a graph is created at 1000 dpi, and the resolution is changed to 500 dpi, the graph will appear twice the size it should be.

Q10. My data are contained in several different data files and I want to display the data on the same graph using the same axes.  Is there a way to do this?
A. Create the graph using the first data set.  In Grapher 2, select the graph and use the Graph | Add to Graph | Plot command or right click on the selected graph and choose Add Plot from the menu.  After you have selected a plot you are asked to choose axes.  Choose the axes of the previous graph.  Next, you are prompted for a data file.  The data file can be any data file - the same as the previous plot's or a new data file.

Q11. I want to use Greek symbols in my text blocks.  How can I get Grapher to write Greek symbols?
A. Grapher 2's Text Editor can be opened by selecting the text tool or by selecting Draw | Text. The Text Editor contains an "insert symbol" button (lower-case epsilon).  Press the button, choose the font set you wish to use, and then choose the symbol you wish to insert.

Q12. How do I make DXF files with Grapher?
A. Grapher 2 contains export capabilities.  Create the graph and then select File | Export. Select AutoCAD DXF in the Save as type field.  Enter a name into the File name field and then press OK.  The AutoCAD DXF Export dialog box will appear next.  Select the options you wish to use and then press OK to create the DXF file.   Note:  help for the DXF options can be obtained by pressing the F1 key on your keyboard when the AutoCAD DXF Export dialog box is open.

Q13. I need to create several graphs that have many of the same settings (i.e. axis titles, etc.).  Is there a way I can create a template graph that works with several data files?
A. Grapher 2 contains a template graph file.  Template graphs have a GRT extension.  To create a template, make a graph with all of the settings you wish to retain on future graphs such as the number of decimal places on tick mark labels, axis labels, graph titles, line colors, etc.  Once the graph is complete select File | Save As.  Choose Plot Template (*.grt) in the Save as type field.  Give the file a name and then press the OK button.

To use the template, select File | New.  Choose Plot Window and make sure the Prompt for template check box is checked.  Open the template, and then open data files to use within the template.  The resulting graph can then be saved as a GRF file or exported (File | Export) for use in other applications.

Q14. I have created a graph but a plot does not appear within the axes.   What happened?
A. Grapher needs two numeric columns of data to generate a plot.  If you selected a column that contained letters or symbols, such as backslashes and hyphens, Grapher cannot create a plot.  If you are trying to create a plot with dates on one axis the dates need to be changed into numbers before plotting the graph.  Click HERE for more information on date labels.  If you are not using dates and still have zero data points, look at the data in the worksheet.  If the column is right justified the column contains numbers.  If the column is left justified the column is formatted as text.  Change the formatting in the original program the file was created in if this is the case, save the data file, and then create your graph.

Q15. How can I use exponential tick labels (i.e. 106) on a logarithmic axis?  I would like to display these labels with superscripts rather than 10E+006.
A. The file Loglabs.slk in Grapher's Sample folder contains tick mark locations and text for creating superscript exponential logarithmic labels.  Any symbols and font styles can be used in worksheet labels as long as they are entered via Math Text.   See Appendix B in the Grapher 2 User's Guide for more information on Math Text.

To add the superscript log labels to your graph in Grapher 2, start by opening the axis properties.  Double click on the axis or use Edit | Object Manager to open the axis properties.  Click the Tick Labels tab.  Select the From worksheet option in the Major Labels Text group box. Next, click the Worksheet... button to select the worksheet containing the log labels. Select Loglabs.slk in the Open Worksheet dialog box and then press the Open button. The line below the From worksheet option should then contain the path and file name of Loglabs.slk.  Choose Column A: Tick Locs for the Data Column and Column B: Major Labels for the Label Column.  Press OK to display the labels on the graph.

Q16. I am having trouble installing Grapher version 2.
A. If you are having difficulty installing Grapher 2 and are running Windows NT4 please verify that you have administrative rights.  Check Start | Programs | Administrative Tools | User Manager for a list of user rights.  If you do not have administrative rights on your computer please contact your network administrator and have them assist you with the installation.

Also, memory resident programs including antivirus software sometimes causes problems during installation.  Disable any antivirus software, restart your computer, and then install Grapher.

If you are prompted to reboot after installation, please reboot your computer as soon as possible.  If you do not reboot Grapher will not run properly.

Q17. I would like to digitize data points from a bitmap graph.  How can I do this with Grapher?
A. First, import the bitmap graph into the plot window with File | Import.   The bitmap graph does not contain the data's coordinates, so a graph must be created to use Grapher's digitize feature.  To make a graph, create a dummy data set with points in the range of the bitmap graph's data.  Set the new graph's axis minimums, axis maximums, lengths, and scales (linear, log, probability) to match the bitmap graph properties.  Once the graph is complete select the plot - not the whole graph - and then use Graph | Digitize to digitize data points from the bitmap graph.   The plot is the data represented by a line, symbols, bars, etc.

Q18. How do I create an Encapsulated PostScript file with Grapher?
A. An EPS file is generated by printing the graph to a file.  You need to print with a PostScript driver to create an EPS file.

Directions:

1. Click the Windows Start button.
2. Select Settings then Printers.
3. If you do not have a PostScript driver installed, click the Add Printer icon.   Follow the directions and add any PostScript printer (usually PS appears in the printer driver's title).
4. Select FILE for the printer port.
5. Open the printer properties by right clicking on the printer and choosing Properties from the menu.  PostScript printer drivers usually contain a PostScript tab in Windows 95 and Windows 98.  Under PostScript output format on the PostScript tab choose Encapsulated PostScript (EPS).  Most Windows NT 4 printer drivers do not have a PostScript tab.
6. To create an EPS file from Grapher choose File | Print and select the PostScript printer from the Name list.
7. Next, the Print to File dialog box is displayed.  Enter the path and file name to use for the EPS file.  Make sure to use the EPS extension on the file particularly if you are using Windows NT4. Click OK to write the graph to an EPS file.

An EPS file produced in this manner does not contain a bitmap preview.  Some software applications, including Grapher, need this bitmap to display the image.  If this is the case, use another export format in Grapher 2, such as the Windows Metafile (WMF) to generate the graphic to use in other software applications.

Q19. Does Grapher work with Windows 2000 or Windows XP?
A. All Golden Software products work with Windows 2000 and Windows XP.  There have been no problems reported.

Q20. Do you have any examples showing how to automate Grapher 2 using Visual C++ (VC++) or Visual Basic (VB)?
A. Yes, there are complete projects available for download from our FTP site.

Download a complete project showing how to automate using Visual C++ (VC++).

Download a complete project showing how to automate using Visual Basic (VB).

Q21. How can I create my own symbols for use in Grapher?
A. Any third party TrueType font-editing program can be used to customize the default symbols or create additional custom symbols of your own.  Here are several TrueType font editors we have researched:

SOFTY :   A shareware program.

TYPETOOL :  A commercial program with some nice features and full technical support.  (Golden Software used TypeTool to create our "GSI Default Symbols" typeface.)

FONTOGRAPHER :  Considered by many to be the premier font-editing program.

Please refer to the on-line help system for recommended editing steps.  Enter "Custom Symbols" on the help Index tab to open the topic.  Alternatively, the Altersym program from the DOS versions of Surfer and Grapher can be used to create and edit symbols.

Q22. I have invested in Adobe typefaces.  How do I use these type faces with Golden Software products?
A. Since Golden Software's applications are 32-bit, we only support TrueType scalable typeface technology.  If you have a significant investment in Adobe Type 1 faces (i.e., you are using ATM under Windows), we recommend converting them to TrueType format so they may be used with Golden Software products.  Not only will you be able to use them with our software, you'll be able to use them with any Windows program.   We recommend TypeTool by Pyrus for this purpose.

Q23. I would like to use international characters in my text strings in Grapher.
A. Grapher was designed to use English characters. Double-byte and 16-bit Unicode international characters are not supported in Golden Software products.

Q24. I receive the error message "Ordinal 6880 could not be located in the dynamic link library MFC42.DLL" when installing or executing Grapher.  How can this be corrected?
A. First, you need to be logged onto the workstation as Administrator in order to install Grapher. The three files that may cause an error message are MFC42.DLL, MSVCP60.DLL, and MSVCRT.DLL. These files will not install unless you are logged onto the workstation as Administrator.

If the error message continues after installing Grapher, please follow the steps below to install the three DLL files.

1. Insert the CD and proceed through the installation until the install shield extracts the files and the green screen is showing.
2. Minimize the green installation screen.
3. Go into the c:\temp directory and copy MFC42.DLL, MSVCP60.DLL, and MSVCRT.DLL to another directory (i.e. c:\temp2).
4. Maximize the installation screen and cancel the installation.
5. Copy MFC42.DLL and MSVCP60.DLL (from c:\temp2) into c:\Winnt\system32 (on Windows NT) or into c:\windows\system (on Windows 95 or Windows 98 machines).
6. When prompted to replace these files, select OK.
7. The MSVCRT.DLL file needs to be copied from a DOS window because the Windows operating system uses this file. To do this, you will need to Shut Down and Reboot to an MS-DOS window.
8. Restart Windows, and the changes will be incorporated.

If you continue to experience problems after installing these files as described above or if you are unable to reboot your machine to a DOS prompt, please contact technical support.

Q26. Where do I find my serial number?
A. The serial number is on the registration card glued inside the cover of your reference manual. Please complete the registration card and return to Golden Software or register online at our web site. With this information, we will be able to mail you announcements of upgrades and newsletters.