About the Console Mode File Formats

The Diffusion Module (DICTRA) in Console Mode uses different file formats: log files (*.TCM), macro files (*.DCM) and workspace files (*.DIC).

Also see Graphical Mode vs Console Mode. If you are working with Thermo-Calc in Console Mode, see Working with the Console Mode File Types.

Log files (*.TCM) are plain text files and are just macro files used to save a sequence of commands. These files can be edited in a text editor.

  • To start saving your input into a file, in the SYS module type SET_LOG_FILE, followed by the name of the file that you want to save your command sequence to.
  • When creating a command sequence, and if you want to save the output in the log file, type SET_ECHO before SET_LOG_FILE. This is useful if you later want to use the log file as a macro file because the macro file lists the full commands instead of only the short names.

Macro files (*.DCM) are plain text files used to save a sequence of commands that can be loaded and executed. Macro files can be edited in a text editor. When creating a command sequence, you add comments to the file by starting a line with @@.

  • To run a macro file, in the SYS or DICTRA module type MACRO_FILE_OPEN, followed by the name of the macro file. DICTRA runs the MACRO_FILE_OPEN sequence that the file contains.
  • To remain in the console and keep working in the DICTRA module, in the SYS, DICTRA, POLY, or POST module add the command SET_INTERACTIVE at the end of the macro file. Alternatively, use EXIT as the final command.

Workspaces files for the Diffusion Module (DICTRA) have the file extension *.DIC, which allow you to save all the data in your current workspace. A workspace contains all the data, specified settings and the result of any calculations performed. The saved data includes original and modified thermodynamic data, the last set of conditions and options, and the results of any simulations.