## enable print

`enable print fname`

This command opens the output file `fname` that will contain the instructions in GrADS metacode format to create a hardcopy of the graphical display. Any existing contents of `fname` will be lost. The output file `fname` is referred to as a GrADS metafile.

### Usage Notes

Creating a GrADS metafile for vector-graphic hardcopy involves four steps:

1. Open the metafile with the `enable print` command
2. Create the graphical display that you want to print
3. Issue the `print` command. For multiple images in your metafile, use `clear` and then `print` again.
4. Close the metafile with the `disable print` command

After you have created a GrADS metafile, you can

1. convert it to postscript using the external utility `gxps`
2. convert it to encapsulated postscript using `gxeps` or you can
3. display it using the external utilities `gxtran` or `gv32.exe` (for MS Windows)