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Unix Command-line options

-macro macro_file = Automatically runs the specified macro file. See Batch mode processing


-diag = Prints diagnostic information. This information should be included in any bug reports.


-nosparse = Some X servers report the incorrect result for the X Window BitmapUnits() call. This causes images to appear as multiple horizontal copies of itself when the X server is in 24 bit/pixel mode. This option forces the correct value.

placing the line

nosparse 1

in the imal.ini file causes this setting to take effect automatically.


-files file_list Specifies a list of image files to be automatically opened. Using a text editor, create an ordinary text file containing a list of the files to be read, with one filename on each line, for example: t*.tif

~images/abc.bmp

hubble.img

Then start imal with the command:

imal -files my.list

substituting the name of the list file. Wildcard characters such as '*' or '?' are also permissible. Up to 512 images can be opened from the list file. If only a few files are needed, it may be easier to use the filename option (below) instead.


filename filename ... = Reads the specified file(s). If there are a large number of files, it may be easier to use the ``-files'' option (above). Filenames may contain path specifications and wild cards (* or ?).

Examples: imal my.gif Loads my.gif

imal *.tif Loads all TIFF files in current directory.

imal ~images/*.tif /mnt/abc.img = Loads all TIFF files from the /images directory, then file abc.img from /mnt.

Any combination of command line options is also acceptable.


? , -? List the available options.


-fg or -foreground Specify foreground color


-bg or -background Specify background color

Example: imal -fg white -bg MistyRose3 &


-geometry geometry-string

Example: imal -geometry 400x500+100+100


-display screen-IP-address:screen

Example: imal -display 192.168.1.1:0.0 &

See ' man X ' for more details. The options can be in any order, except that if a parameter is needed, it must follow the option. The arguments must be separated by spaces.

To run imal and automatically load and display the image ``test.img'', type

imal test.img

To run imal remotely on a supercomputer and have the display appear on your local PC, type the command:

xhost +supercomputer_host_name

Then login to the other computer, and type:

imal -display your_PC_hostname:0.0 & where your_PC_hostname can be a registered host.domain name or an IP number. For example, if you are connected over a ppp link, and ifconfig indicates your IP address to be 156.40.65.151, type:

imal -display 156.40.65.151:0.0 &.

This can also be done from DOS or Windows using X-Window server software such as Xappeal, Exceed, Chameleon NFS/X, etc.

Alternatively, this can be done by setting an environment variable, e.g.,

setenv DISPLAY 156.40.65.151:0.0

(in tcsh or csh) or

export DISPLAY=156.40.65.151:0.0

(in bash, ksh, etc.) instead of using the ``-display'' option.


next up previous contents index
Next: DOS command-line options Up: Command-line options Previous: Command-line options   Contents   Index
root 2008-10-10