---
name: "pexpand"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "radiance"
version: "4R1+20120125-1+b1"
release: "Debian 7 (Wheezy)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/pexpand"
---

# pexpand(1)

expand requested commands in metafile

## NAME

pexpand - expand requested commands in metafile

## SYNOPSIS

**pexpand** \[ **+/-EPDOCSURIlrtmvsp** \] file ..

## DESCRIPTION

*Pexpand* reads each metafile *file* in sequence and expands any commands specified in a '+' option, and deletes any commands specified in a '-' option. This is necessary because most drivers will not support many metafile commands such as 'v' (vector string) and 'O', 'C', and 's' (segments). *Pexpand* will expand '+' instances into the corresponding primitives which are supported, and delete all '-' instances.

Certain commands are currently considered basic, and must be supported by all drivers. The commands 'D', 'E', 'S', 'U', 'R', 'l', 'r', and 't' are basic (see [metafile(5)](/metafile/5.md)).

If no input files are specified, the standard input is read.

- **+EPDOCSURIlrtmvsp**

  Expand the requested command(s).

- **-EPDOCSURIlrtmvsp**

  Delete the requested command(s).

## EXAMPLE

To expand vector strings and segements, and delete pauses from "meta":

-

  pexpand +vOCs -P meta

## FILES

/usr/lib/meta/vchars.mta  (see [metafile(5)](/metafile/5.md))

## AUTHOR

Greg Ward

## SEE ALSO

[metafile(5)](/metafile/5.md), [psort(1)](/psort/1.md)