Command line options for the Multi Channel software

The Multi Channel software can be started with command line parameters. This allows to let the Multi Channel software perform additional tasks when started, like setting a window size and position or opening a specific setfile. When specific measurements are often performed, for each specific measurement a shortcut can be made with the required command line parameters.

When Allow multiple instances is turned on in the settings, each launch of the Multi Channel software will open a new instance. Any command line parameter is used in that instance. When Allow multiple instances is turned off (default), the first launch will start the Multi Channel software. While this instance of the Multi Channel software is running, any next launch will result in the command line parameters being passed to it and executed there. Several command line options work best when Allow multiple instances is turned off.

When batch converting files or creating images, it is recommended to leave Settings->General->Allow multiple instances unchecked and to start an instance of the Multi Channel software first, before executing the command line commands. This way, this instance of the Multi Channel software will remain active and process all command line parameters.

The following applies to the command line parameters:

  • command line options are case-insensitive
  • values between [ ] are optional
  • values between ( ) are mandatory
  • values after = are the defaults.
  • if the option string contains spaces, it must be escaped with quotes
  • multiple command line options can be used in a single call.

Below is a list of the available command line options for the Multi Channel software.

Loading setfiles

Command Description
-d setfile.tps Load desktop from setfile
-sa setfile.tps Load first scope settings from setfile into all scopes
-sn setfile.tps Load first scope settings from setfile into the nth scope
-ga setfile.tps Load first function generator settings from setfile into all function generators
-gn setfile.tps Load first function generator settings from setfile into the nth function generator
-l setfile.tps Load setfile. Auto detect file type
-l objectfile.tpo Load objects from objectfile.

Saving data and/or settings

Command Description
-SaveAll setfile[.tps][,NoData] Save desktop to setfile
-SaveScp setfile[.tps][,Index=1][,NoData] Save scope number index to setfile
-SaveGen setfile[.tps][,Index=1][,NoData] Save generator number index to setfile
-SaveImg filename(.png|.bmp|.gif|.emf|.jpg)[,Index=1][,w=800][,h=600][,Scheme=Image standard] Save screenshot of graph number index to filename

Exporting instrument data

It is possible to export the data contained in scope channels to several data types. The resulting file will be the same as when the instrument data would have been exported from within the user interface.

Exporting to a binary file

-SaveScp datafile.bin[,option=value][,option=value]

Option Values Description
Index integer number > 0 Scope number, default = 1
DataType INT8|INT16|INT32|INT64|
UINT8|UINT16|UINT32|UINT64|
FLOAT32|FLOAT64|FLOAT80		 Data type to be used

For more details on exporting to the binary file format and the available options, refer to the binary file description.

Exporting to an ASCII file

-SaveScp datafile.csv[,option=value][,option=value]...

Option Values Description
Index integer number > 0 Scope number, default = 1
ColumnSeparator SemiColon|Comma|Tab|Space Column separator to use
DecimalSeparator Dot|Comma Decimal separator to use
SampleNumber 0|1 Boolean indicating if sample number is stored
RelativeTime 0|1 Boolean indicating if relative time is stored
NumberFormat General|Fixed|Exponent Number format to be used
Precision 1|2|...|8|...|14|15 Number of significant digits
Digits 0|1|2|...|14|15 (Minimum) number of digits in fraction or exponent

For more details on exporting to the ASCII CSV file format and the available options, refer to the ASCII CSV file description.

Exporting to a Matlab file

-SaveScp datafile.mat[,option=value]

Option Values Description
Index integer number > 0 Scope number, default = 1

For more details on exporting to the Matlab file format, refer to the Matlab file description.

Exporting to a WAVE audio file

-SaveScp datafile.wav[,option=value][,option=value]...

Option Values Description
Index integer number > 0 Scope number, default = 1
MaxResolution 8|16|32|64 Maximum resolution to be used
MaxChannelCount 1|2|3|...|31|32 Maximum number of channels to be saved
SampleFrequency -2|-1|n > 0 Sample frequency to be used:
-2 : use the nearest standard sample frequency (11025, 22050, 44100, 48000 or 96000)
-1 : use the original sample frequency of the data
n : use sample frequency n

For more details on exporting to the WAVE audio file format and the available options, refer to the WAVE audio file description.

Window size and position

Command Description
-MWS FULL Maximize main window
-MWS width,height Set main window width1 and height1
-MWS left,top,width,height Set main window at position left1, top1 with width1 and height1

1. This value may be specified in pixels or percent (add a % sign to the value).

Examples

MultiChannel -d d:\source.tps
Load desktop from d:\source.tps

MultiChannel -SaveAll d:\dest
Save desktop to d:\dest.tps, including data

MultiChannel -SaveScp d:\scope1,Index=1,nodata
Save scope number 1 to d:\scope1.tps, without data

MultiChannel -l d:\source.tps -SaveScp d:\dest.mat
Convert scope data from first scope in d:\source.tps to d:\dest.mat

MultiChannel -SaveImg "d:\with space.png,Index=2"
Save graph number 2 to d:\with space.png, with default color scheme, 800 pixels wide, 600 pixels high

MultiChannel -d d:\source.tps -SaveAll d:\dest_nodata,nodata -SaveImg d:\dest.png -SaveImg "d:\with space.png,Index=2"
Load desktop from d:\source.tps, then save the desktop to d:\dest_nodata.tps without data, save an image of graph 1 in d:\dest.png with default color scheme and default dimensions and save an image of graph 2 in d:\with space.png.