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Downloading the WinZip Installation of Dataplot

Contact Information
Alan Heckert
Statistical Engineering Division
National Institute Of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, Md. 20899-8980
(301) 975-2899
alan.heckert@nist.gov
Jim Filliben
Deceased
Supported Platforms The version of Dataplot provided here should run under Windows 10/11.
Introduction Normally, it is recommended that you download the Dataplot setup.exe file (created using Install Shield) to install Dataplot. This installs Dataplot to the "C:\Program Files (X86)\NIST\DATAPLOT" directory,creates entries in the Windows Registery and creates several environment variables. This requires adminstrative privileges.

If you do not have adminstrative privileges, do not want to install Dataplot to "C:\Program Files (x86)" or if for some other reason you cannot install using the setup.exe file, we also provide the installation as a zip file. The zip version does not install to the "Program Files" directory and does not make any changes to the Windows Registry or create any environment variables. Also, shortcuts need to be created manually.

You need to have the ability to unpack zip files in order to use this version.

You still need to install Tcl/Tk to run the GUI version and it is recommended that you install Ghostscript and Ghostview for viewing and printing Postscript files. If you lack administrative privileges, you may not be able to install these. For using the command line version of Dataplot, the primary requirement is to have the ability to view/print Postscript files.

Downloading

The PC version is distributed in executable form since most users do not have the necessary Fortran compilers. You can download the source from the Unix download pages if you are interested.

Step 1: Download the Dataplot Files In order to install the Dataplot, download the following file:

Step 2: Extract the Files in the Zip File Once you have downloaded this file, bring up the Windows Explorer. Right click on the file and select the "Extract All..." menu item. In the field "Files will be extracted to this folder", enter

    C:\DATAPLOT

If you choose something other than "C:\DATAPLOT", you will need to manually edit three files. Specifically

  • The file dpcomm.bat contains the following lines

    DPDIR=C:\DATAPOLOT\
    DATAPLO$=C:\DATAPLOT
    FED$=C:\DATAPLOT

    Change "C:\DATAPLOT" to match the location on your system.

  • The file dp_magicsplat.bat contains the following lines

    SET DATAPLO$=C:\DATAPLOT
    SET FED$=C:\DATAPLOT
    FED$=C:\DATAPLOT

    Change "C:\DATAPLOT" to match the location on your system.

    This is the file to run the GUI version of Dataplot if you installed the MagicSplat implementation of Tcl/Tk. You can skip this step if you do not plan to run the GUI.

  • The file frscript/xdpConfig contains the lines

    dataplot windows "c:/DATAPLOT/DPLAHEY.EXE"
    library windows "c:/DATAPLOT"

    Change "C:\DATAPLOT" to match the location on your system.

    You can skip this step if you do not plan to run the GUI.

Step 3: Create Shortcuts Once you have extracted the files, you can create shortcuts for both the command line version and the GUI version.

  • To create the shortcut to the Dataplot command line version right click on the screen background, select "New", and then select "Shortcut". Use the Browse button to navigate to "C:\Dataplot" and then select the "DPCOMM.BAT" file. Select "Next" and enter whatever descriptive text you want for this shortcut and then select finish. After the shortcut is created, right click on it and select Properties. The "Start-In" field defines the default starting directory for Dataplot. Change this to whatever is most convenient for you (i.e., where you are likely to keep any data files or macros that create for Dataplot). Note that you can change this Start-In field whenever you like.

  • Create the shortcut to the Dataplot GUI version. Right click on the screen background, select "New", and then select "Shortcut". Use the Browse button to navigate to "C:\Dataplot" and then select the "DP_MAGICSPLAT.BAT" file. Select "Next" and enter whatever descriptive text you want for this shortcut and then select finish. After the shortcut is created, right click on it and select Properties. The "Start-In" field defines the default starting directory for Dataplot. Change this to whatever is most convenient for you (i.e., where you are likely to keep any data files or macros that create for Dataplot). Note that you can change this Start-In field whenever you like.

    When you install MagicSplat, you have the choice to either install for a single user or for all users. If you chose all users, then in the "Target" field add a -all at the end of the line.

Date created: 01/26/2010
Last updated: 02/16/2024

Please email comments on this WWW page to alan.heckert@nist.gov.