D. Random tips and tricks

• Install the `info' version of this reference manual! On your (Unix) system, this can be achieved by
  1. copying all ‘gmsh.info*’ files to the place where your info files live (usually ‘/usr/info’), and
  2. issuing the command install-info /usr/info/gmsh.info /usr/info/dir.

  You will then be able to access the documentation with the command info gmsh. Note that particular sections (`nodes') can be accessed directly. For example, info gmsh surfaces or info gmsh surf will take you directly to Surfaces.

• Use emacs to edit your files, and load the C++ mode. This permits automatic syntax highlighting and easy indentation. Automatic loading of the C++ mode for ‘.geo’ files can be achieved by adding the following command in your .emacs file: (setq auto-mode-alist (append '(("\\.geo$" . c++-mode)) auto-mode-alist)).
• Define common geometrical objects and options in separate files, reusable in all your problem definition structures.
• Save your preferred options with `File->Save Default Options'. To reset the default options, erase the General.OptionsFileName (usually ‘.gmsh-options’ in your home directory) or use the `Restore default options' button in `Tools->Options->General->Output'.
• In the GUI:
  • – dragging the mouse in a numeric input field slides the value. The left button moves one step per pixel, the middle by 10 * step, and the right button by 100 * step;
  • – selecting the content of an input field, or lines in the message console (`Tools->Message Console'), copies the selected text to the clipboard;
• Read Frequently asked questions...