SAC Command Reference Manual

Alphabetical Comamnd Listing

Commands
3c:

Launch a Matlab GUI for manipulating 3-component

data.

about:

Displays version and copywrite information.

absolutevalue:

Takes the absolute value of each data point.

add:

Adds a constant to each data point.

addf:

Adds a set of data files to data in memory.

apk:

Applies an automatic event picking algorithm.

arraymap:

Produces a map of the array or "coarray" using all files

in SAC memory.

axes:

Controls the location of annotated axes.

bandpass:

Applies an IIR bandpass filter.

bandrej:

Applies an IIR bandreject filter.

bbfk:

Computes the broadband frequency-wavenumber (FK)

spectral estimate, using allfiles in SAC memory.

beam:

Computes the beam using all data files in SAC

memory.

begindevices:

Begins plotting to one or two of the two possible

graphics devices.

beginframe:

Turns off automatic new frame actions between plots.

beginwindow:

Begins plotting to a new graphics window.

benioff:

Applies a Benioff filter to the data.

binoperr:

Controls errors that can occur during binary file

operations.

border:

Controls the plotting of a border around plots.

capf:

Closes the currently open alphanumeric pick file.

chnhdr:

Changes the values of selected header fields.

chpf:

Closes the currently open HYPO pick file.

color:

Controls color selection for color graphics devices.

comcor:

Controls SAC's command correction option.

contour:

Produces contour plots of data in memory.

convert:

Converts data files from one format to another.

convolve:

Compute the convolution of a master signal with itself

and one or more other signals.

copyhdr:

Copies header variables from one file in memory to all

others.

correlate:

Computes the auto- and cross- correlation functions.

crr:

Commit, Rollback, Recalltrace

cut:
cuterr:

Defines how much of a data file is to be read.

cutim:

Cuts files in memory. Can cut multiple segments from

each file.

Controls errors due to bad cut parameters.

datagen:

Generates sample data files and stores them in

memory.

decimate:

Decimates (downsamples) data, including an optional

anti-aliasing FIR filter.

deletechannel:

Deletes one or more files from the file list.

depmec:

Launch a Matlab GUI for estimating source depth and

mechanism.

dif:

Differentiates data in memory.

div:

Divides each data point by a constant.

divf:

Divides data in memory by a set of data files.

divomega:

Performs integration in the frequency domain.

echo:

Controls echoing of input and output to the terminal.

enddevices:

Terminates one or more graphics devices.

endframe:

Resumes automatic new frame actions between plots.

envelope:

Computes the envelope function using a Hilbert

transform.

erase:

Erases the graphics display area.

evaluate:

Evaluates simple arithmetic expressions.

exp:

Computes the exponential of each data point.

exp10:

Computes the base 10 exponential (10.**y) of each

data point.

fft:

Performs a discrete Fourier transform.

fileid:

Controls the file id display found on most SAC plots.

filenumber:

Controls the file number display found on most SAC

plots.

filterdesign:

Produces a graphic display of a filter's digital vs.

analog characteristics

fir:

Applies a finite-impulse-response filter.

floor:

Puts a minimum value on logarithmically scaled data.

funcgen:

Generates a function and stores it in memory.

getbb:

Gets (prints) values of blackboard variables.

grayscale:

Produces grayscale images of data in memory.

grid:

Controls the plotting of grid lines in plots.

gtext:

Controls the quality and font of text used in plots.

hanning:

Applies a "hanning" window to each data file.

help:

Displays information about SAC commands and

features on the screen.

highpass:

Applies an IIR highpass filter.

hilbert:

Applies a Hilbert transform.

history:

prints a list of the recently issued SAC commands

ifft:

Performs an inverse discrete Fourier transform.

image:

Produces color sampled image plots of data in

memory.

inicm:

Reinitializes all of SAC's common blocks.

installmacro:

Installs macro files in the global SAC macro directory.

int:

Performs integration using the trapezoidal or

rectangular rule.

interpolate:

Interpolates evenly or unevenly spaced data to a new

sampling rate.

keepam:

Keep amplitude component of spectral files (of either

the AMPH or RLIMformat) in SAC memory.

khronhite:

Applies a Khronhite filter to the data.

line:

Controls the linestyle selection in plots.

linefit:

Computes the best straight line fit to the data in

memory and writesthe results to header blackboard
variables.

linlin:

Turns on linear scaling for the x and y axes.

linlog:

Turns on linear scaling for x axis and logarithmic for

y axis.

listhdr:

Lists the values of selected header fields.

load:

Load an external command.

loadctable:

Allows the user to select a new color table for use in

image plots.

log:

Takes the natural logarithm of each data point.

log10:

Takes the base 10 logarithm of each data point.

loglab:

Controls labels on logarithmically scaled axes.

loglin:

Turns on logarithmic scaling for x axis and linear for

y axis.

loglog:

Turns on logarithmic scaling for the x and y axes.

lowpass:

Applies an IIR lowpass filter.

macro:

Executes a SAC macro file.

map:

Generate a GMT (Generic Mapping Tools) map which

can include station/eventsymbols topography and
station names using all the files in SAC memory

markptp:

Measures and marks the maximum peak to peak

amplitude of each signal withinthe measurement time
window.

marktimes:

Marks files with travel times from a velocity set.

markvalue:

Searches for and marks values in a data file.

mat:

Copy SAC workspace into Matlab and either execute a

user-specifiedm-file or else get a Matlab prompt for
interactive manipulation.

merge:

Merges (concantenates) a set of files to data in

memory.

message:

Sends a message to the user's terminal.

mtw:

Determines the measurement time window for use in

subsequent measurementcommands.

mul:

Multiplies each data point by a constant.

mulf:

Multiplies a set of files by the data in memory.

mulomega:

Performs differentiation in the frequency domain.

news:

Prints current news concerning SAC.

nplotc:

Annotates SAC plots and creates figures using cursor.

null:

Controls the plotting of null values.

oapf:
ohpf:

Opens a alphanumeric pick file.

pause:

Sends a message to the terminal and pauses.

Opens a HYPO formatted pick file.

pickauthor:

Tell sac to read author list (and possibly phase pick

information) froma user-defined preferences file, or
interactively enter author list on

pickphase:

Tell sac to read phase pick information (and possibly

the author list) froma user-defined preferences file, or
interactively enter phase pick information

pickprefs:

Control the way that SAC manages and or loadspicks

from a variety of input data formats (e.g., CSS, GSE,
SUDS etc...)

picks:

Controls the display of time picks on most SAC plots.

plabel:

Defines general plot labels and their attributes.

plot:

Generates a single-trace single-window plot.

plot1:

Generates a multi-trace multi-window plot.

plot2:

Generates a multi-trace single-window (overlay) plot.

plotalpha:

Reads alphanumeric data files on disk into memory

and plots the data to thecurrent output device.

plotc:

Annotates SAC plots and creates figures using cursor.

plotctable:
plotdy:

Creates a plot with error bars.

plotpk:

Produces a plot for the picking of arrival times.

plotpktable:
plotpm:

Generates a "particle-motion" plot of pairs of data

files.

plotsp:

Plots spectral data in several different formats.

plotxy:

Plots one or more data files versus another data file.

print:

Prints the most recent SGF file.

printhelp:

Prints hardcopies of information about SAC

commands and features.

production:

Controls the production mode option.

qdp:

Controls the "quick and dirty plot" option.

quantize:

Converts continuous data into its quantized

equivalent.

quit:

Terminates SAC.

quitsub:

Terminates the currently active subprocess.

read:

Reads data from SAC data files on disk into memory.

readbbf:

Reads a blackboard variable file into memory.

readcss:

Read data files in CSS external format from disk into

memory.

readdb:

Reads data from Oracle database into memory.

readerr:

Controls errors that occur during the READ command.

readgse:

Read data files in GSE 2.0 format from disk into

memory.

readhdr:

Reads headers from SAC data files into memory.

readsdd:

Reads data from SDD data files on disk into memory.

readsp:

Reads spectral files written by WRITESP and WRITESPE.

readsuds:

Read data files in PC-SUDS format from disk into

memory.

readtable:

Reads alphanumeric data files in collumn format on

disk into memory.

report:

Informs the user about the current state of SAC.

reverse:

Reverse the order of data points.

rglitches:

Removes glitches and timing marks.

rmean:

Removes the mean.

rms:

Computes the root mean square of the data within the

measurement time window.

rotate:

Rotates a pair of data components through an angle.

rq:

Removes the seismic Q factor from spectral data.

rtrend:

Removes the linear trend.

scallop:

Calculate a spectrogram equal to the difference

between two smoothed versionsof the same
spectrogram.

setbb:

Sets (defines) values of blackboard variables.

setdevice:

Defines a default graphics device to use in

subsequent plots.

setmacro:

Defines a set of directories to search when executing

a SAC macro file.

sgf:

Controls the SAC Graphics File (SGF) device options.

smooth:

Applies an arithmetic smoothing algorithm to the

data.

sonogram:

Calculate a spectrogram equal to the difference

between two smoothed versions of the same
spectrogram.

sort:

Sorts files in memory by header fields.

spe:
spectrogram:

Calculate a spectrogram using all of the data in

memory.

sqr:

Squares each data point.

sqrt:

Takes the square root of each data point.

sss:
stretch:

Stretches (upsamples) data, including an optional

interpolating FIR filter.

sub:

Subtracts a constant from each data point.

subf:

Subtracts a set of data files from data in memory.

symbol:

Controls the symbol plotting attributes.

synchronize:

Synchronizes the reference times of all files in

memory.

syntax:

Prints basic information about SAC commands.

systemcommand: Executes system commands from SAC.

taper:

Applies a symmetric taper to each end of data.

ticks:

Controls the location of tick marks on plots.

title:

Defines the plot title and attributes.

trace:

Controls the tracing of blackboard and header

variables.

transcript:

Controls output to the transcript files.

transfer:

Performs deconvolution to remove an instrument

response and convolution to apply another
instrument response.

tsize:

Controls the text size attributes.

unsetbb:

Unsets (deletes) blackboard variables.

unwrap:

Computes amplitude and unwrapped phase.

vspace:

Changes the maximum size and shape of plots.

wait:

Tells SAC whether or not to pause between plots.

whiten:

Flattens the spectrum of the input time series.

whpf:

Writes auxiliary cards into the HYPO pick file.

width:

Controls line-width selection for graphics devices.

wiener:

Designs and applies an adaptive Wiener filter.

wild:

Sets wildcard characters used in read commands to

expand filelists.

window:

Sets the location and shape of graphics windows.

write:

Writes data in memory to disk.

writebbf:

Writes a blackboard variable file to disk.

writecss:

Writes data in memory to disk in CSS 3.0 format.

writegse:

Write data files in GSE 2.0 format from memory to

disk.

writehdr:

Overwrites the headers on disk with those in memory.

writesdd:

Writes data in memory to disk in SDD format.

writesp:

Writes spectral files to disk as "normal" data files.

xdiv:

Controls the x axis division spacing.

xfudge:

Changes the x axis "fudge factor."

xfull:

Controls plotting of x axis full logarithmic decades.

xgrid:

Controls plotting of grid lines in the x direction.

xlabel:

Defines the x axis label and attributes.

xlim:

Determines the plot limits for the x axis.

xlin:

Turns on linear scaling for the x axis.

xlog:

Turns on logarithimic scaling for the x axis.

xvport:

Defines the viewport for the x axis.

ydiv:

Controls the y axis division spacing.

yfudge:

Changes the y axis "fudge factor."

yfull:

Controls plotting of y axis full logarithmic decades.

ygrid:

Controls plotting of grid lines in the y direction.

ylabel:

Defines the y axis label and attributes.

ylim:

Determines the plot limits for the y axis.

ylin:

Turns on linear scaling for the y axis.

ylog:

Turns on logarithimic scaling for the y axis.

yvport:

Defines the viewport for the y axis.

zcolors:

Controls the color display of contour lines.

zlabels:

Controls the labeling of contour lines with contour

level values.

zlevels:

Controls the contour line spacing in subsequent

contour plots.

zlines:

Controls the contour linestyles in subsequent contour

plots.

zticks:

Controls the labeling of contour lines with directional

tick marks.