Discourse Choroplethize Mapping not working on Windows

[JakeZw]

On windows the viz command is erroring as discussed here.

[joa-quim]

Ok, let’s step with a very simple test. Does this work? plot(rand(5,2), show=1) Enviado a partir do Outlook para iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>

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________________________________ De: JakeZw ***@***.***> Enviado: Thursday, July 31, 2025 10:15:32 PM Para: GenericMappingTools/GMT.jl ***@***.***> Cc: Subscribed ***@***.***> Assunto: [GenericMappingTools/GMT.jl] Discourse Choroplethize Mapping not working on Windows (Issue #1779) [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/13350908?s=20&v=4]JakeZw created an issue (GenericMappingTools/GMT.jl#1779)<#1779> On windows the viz command is erroring as discussed here<https://discourse.julialang.org/t/lets-choroplethize-the-us/131254/13>. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#1779>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAEDF2MCXUMWQWJNE52E7MD3LKBPJAVCNFSM6AAAAACC3BLSPKVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43ASLTON2WKOZTGI4DCNZVGU4DGOA>. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[JakeZw]

And the result is: julia> plot(rand(5,2), show=1) Access is denied. psconvert [ERROR]: System call [@"C:\Users\jakez\.julia\artifacts\cca2b0693e0ae8df2daca37d0779bb7209f32c5f\bin\gs.exe" -q -dNOSAFER -dNOPAUSE -dBATCH -sDEVICE=bbox -DPSL_no_pagefill -dMaxBitmap=2147483647 -dUseFastColor=true "C:\Users\jakez\AppData\Local\Temp/GMTjl_jakez.ps" 2> "./psconvert_3196c.bb"] returned error 1. ERROR: Something went wrong when calling the module. GMT error number = 79 Stacktrace: [1] error(s::String) @ Base .\error.jl:35 [2] gmt(::String) @ GMT C:\Users\jakez\.julia\packages\GMT\acUHa\src\gmt_main.jl:166 [3] showfig(d::Dict{Symbol, Any}, fname_ps::String, fname_ext::String, opt_T::String, K::Bool, fname::String) @ GMT C:\Users\jakez\.julia\packages\GMT\acUHa\src\common_options.jl:4194 [4] finish_PS_module_barr_last(d::Dict{…}, cmd::Vector{…}, fname::String, fname_ext::String, opt_extra::String, output::String, opt_T::String, K::Bool, P::Nothing) @ GMT C:\Users\jakez\.julia\packages\GMT\acUHa\src\common_options.jl:4558 [5] finish_PS_module(d::Dict{…}, cmd::Vector{…}, opt_extra::String, K::Bool, O::Bool, finish::Bool, args::GMTdataset{…}) @ GMT C:\Users\jakez\.julia\packages\GMT\acUHa\src\common_options.jl:4496 [6] prep_and_call_finish_PS_module @ C:\Users\jakez\.julia\packages\GMT\acUHa\src\common_options.jl:4407 [inlined] [7] prep_and_call_finish_PS_module(d::Dict{…}, cmd::Vector{…}, opt_extra::String, K::Bool, O::Bool, finish::Bool, arg1::GMTdataset{…}, arg2::Nothing, arg3::Nothing, arg4::Nothing) @ GMT C:\Users\jakez\.julia\packages\GMT\acUHa\src\common_options.jl:4405 [8] _common_plot_xyz(cmd0::String, arg1::GMTdataset{…}, caller::String, O::Bool, K::Bool, is3D::Bool, d::Dict{…}) @ GMT C:\Users\jakez\.julia\packages\GMT\acUHa\src\psxy.jl:253 [9] #common_plot_xyz#924 @ C:\Users\jakez\.julia\packages\GMT\acUHa\src\psxy.jl:13 [inlined] [10] common_plot_xyz @ C:\Users\jakez\.julia\packages\GMT\acUHa\src\psxy.jl:11 [inlined] [11] plot(arg1::Matrix{Float64}; first::Bool, ***@***.***{show::Int64}) @ GMT C:\Users\jakez\.julia\packages\GMT\acUHa\src\plot.jl:122 [12] top-level scope @ REPL[15]:1 Some type information was truncated. Use `show(err)` to see complete types. julia> From: Joaquim ***@***.***> Sent: July 31, 2025 5:39 PM To: GenericMappingTools/GMT.jl ***@***.***> Cc: JakeZw ***@***.***>; Author ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [GenericMappingTools/GMT.jl] Discourse Choroplethize Mapping not working on Windows (Issue #1779) <https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/537321?s=20&v=4> joa-quim left a comment (GenericMappingTools/GMT.jl#1779) <#1779 (comment)> Ok, let’s step with a very simple test. Does this work? plot(rand(5,2), show=1) Enviado a partir do Outlook para iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>

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________________________________ De: JakeZw ***@***.*** <mailto:***@***.***> > Enviado: Thursday, July 31, 2025 10:15:32 PM Para: GenericMappingTools/GMT.jl ***@***.*** <mailto:***@***.***> > Cc: Subscribed ***@***.*** <mailto:***@***.***> > Assunto: [GenericMappingTools/GMT.jl] Discourse Choroplethize Mapping not working on Windows (Issue #1779) [https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/13350908?s=20&v=4]JakeZw created an issue (GenericMappingTools/GMT.jl#1779)<#1779> On windows the viz command is erroring as discussed here<https://discourse.julialang.org/t/lets-choroplethize-the-us/131254/13>. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#1779>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAEDF2MCXUMWQWJNE52E7MD3LKBPJAVCNFSM6AAAAACC3BLSPKVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43ASLTON2WKOZTGI4DCNZVGU4DGOA>. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.*** <mailto:***@***.***> > — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#1779 (comment)> , or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ADF3P7E52C5KNF5OJFLJNHL3LKEGHAVCNFSM6AAAAACC3BLSPKVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZTCNBRGQYTMOBWGM> . You are receiving this because you authored the thread. <https://github.com/notifications/beacon/ADF3P7CQDQMER5WSPW5AKP33LKEGHA5CNFSM6AAAAACC3BLSPKWGG33NNVSW45C7OR4XAZNMJFZXG5LFINXW23LFNZ2KUY3PNVWWK3TUL5UWJTV3HY3Z6.gif> Message ID: ***@***.*** ***@***.***> >

[joa-quim]

There is definitely something wrong with the GMT.jl installation. I presume the file
C:\Users\jakez\AppData\Local\Temp/GMTjl_jakez.ps does not exist too?

What does this show?
] st GMT

[JakeZw]

It does exist (attached). I may have given you wrong information yesterday. I suspect I only looked at the folders not the files in this directory. Jake From: Joaquim ***@***.***> Sent: August 1, 2025 7:59 AM To: GenericMappingTools/GMT.jl ***@***.***> Cc: JakeZw ***@***.***>; Author ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [GenericMappingTools/GMT.jl] Discourse Choroplethize Mapping not working on Windows (Issue #1779) <https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/537321?s=20&v=4> joa-quim left a comment (GenericMappingTools/GMT.jl#1779) <#1779 (comment)> There is definitely something wrong with the GMT.jl installation. I presume the file C:\Users\jakez\AppData\Local\Temp/GMTjl_jakez.ps does not exist too? — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#1779 (comment)> , or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ADF3P7CCLUVRQERSZGSOILT3LNJABAVCNFSM6AAAAACC3BLSPKVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZTCNBUGMZDSNBWGY> . You are receiving this because you authored the thread. <https://github.com/notifications/beacon/ADF3P7GQ6QDIPC3ZF5L7IVD3LNJABA5CNFSM6AAAAACC3BLSPKWGG33NNVSW45C7OR4XAZNMJFZXG5LFINXW23LFNZ2KUY3PNVWWK3TUL5UWJTV3NKUPU.gif> Message ID: ***@***.*** ***@***.***> >

[joa-quim]

OK, you didn't send the file but not that important (I think). Now this points to a problem with ghostscript. But, on a second thought. Please attach the ps file (zipped)

[JakeZw]

I did attach the file, I wonder if the server stripped it. Here it is zipped. Sent via email both times. From: Joaquim ***@***.***> Sent: August 1, 2025 8:20 AM To: GenericMappingTools/GMT.jl ***@***.***> Cc: JakeZw ***@***.***>; Author ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [GenericMappingTools/GMT.jl] Discourse Choroplethize Mapping not working on Windows (Issue #1779) <https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/537321?s=20&v=4> joa-quim left a comment (GenericMappingTools/GMT.jl#1779) <#1779 (comment)> OK, you didn't send the file but not that important (I think). Now this points to a problem with ghostscript. But, on a second thought. Please attach the ps file (zipped) — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#1779 (comment)> , or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ADF3P7CMBXSMQ7FG4KFGZU33LNLPFAVCNFSM6AAAAACC3BLSPKVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHMZTCNBUGM4TGNZUGU> . You are receiving this because you authored the thread. <https://github.com/notifications/beacon/ADF3P7C2NEQSP5KSRLBPQJT3LNLPFA5CNFSM6AAAAACC3BLSPKWGG33NNVSW45C7OR4XAZNMJFZXG5LFINXW23LFNZ2KUY3PNVWWK3TUL5UWJTV3NOSBC.gif> Message ID: ***@***.*** ***@***.***> >

[joa-quim]

No (nothing came). You simply drag-n-drop the zip file in the message text edit box.

[JakeZw]

GMTjl_jakez.zip

I guess responding by email strips the file from the email.

[joa-quim]

Yes, likely.

The file is fine, so it«s the last step in which the postscript file is converted to png that errors. The problem is that I don't know anything clever to recommend. The installed ghostscript (a GMT dependency) is screwing.

[joa-quim]

Try the dumb man solution. Remove and add back the Ghostscript_jll artifact.

[JakeZw]

I went to the package folder and removed the Ghostscript_jll folder. Then went to package manager and did an update. This installed ghostscript again Installed Ghostscript_jll ─ v9.55.0+4.

Same error with plot(rand(5,2), show=1). I also have Bullzip installed which also uses Ghostscript, but that seems unlikely as the source of problem.

[joa-quim]

Normally one removes a package with ] rm Package

I would like to sort this thing out (first time I know of it) but I'm short on time (only this afternoon). It's not impossible that a system wide Ghostscript installation is the root of the problem. GS in Windows is tricky as it find itself via a Key in the Registry (actually two Keys if a 32 bits version is installed) and I don't know what the ghostscript_jll artifact does.

I also have a system wide GS but my (developing) setting is different from what one gets with ] add GMT. Depending on how motivated you are to use GMT.jl, you may try to reproduce this setting. If you run ? GMT you'll see:

  The GMT.jl default is to use the GMT_jll artifact. However, this can be changed to use a system wide GMT installation. All info is stored in the
  deps/deps.jl file that is created by compile from the deps/build.jl. To swap to a system wide GMT installation, do (in REPL):

    •  ENV["SYSTEMWIDE_GMT"] = 1;

    •  import Pkg; Pkg.build("GMT")

    •  restart Julia

  Note the above will work up until some other reason triggers a Julia recompile, where the JLL artifacts will be used again. To make the
  ENV["SYSTEMWIDEGMT"] = 1 solution permanent, declare a "SYSTEMWIDEGMT" environment variable permanently in your .bashrc (or whatever).

Now, if, before doing as described, you have installed the VisualStudio build of GMT (much better than GMT_jll artifact), than a good working, system wide, ghostscript installation should work. The draw back of this solution is that one need to update the GMT (the Windows package) manually when a new update (not necessarily an new version, which more rare) is available.

[JakeZw]

I tried the above and got the same error. I did a search for psconvert_27264c.bb and could not find this command as a file on my machine.

[joa-quim]

You mean you installed the Windows GMT and still see the same error? And still the Access is denied.? I find this one particularly strange.

Do you see this?

julia> GMTver
v"6.6.0"

The .bb is a temporary file that gets removed after use.

The standalone GMT version works when the ....julia\packages\GMT\???\deps.jl has a content like this (but adapted to your own path). The procedure explained in the ? GMT is responsible to create it.

_libgmt  = "c:/programs/GMTDIR/gmt_w64.dll"
_libgdal = "c:/programs/GMTDIR\\gdal_w64.dll"
_libproj = "c:/programs/GMTDIR\\proj_w64.dll"
_GMTver = v"6.6.0"
devdate = "2025.01.30"
userdir = "C:\\Users\\j\\.gmt"
have_jll = 0

And Ghostscript should be on the users path.

[joa-quim]

It you have GMT and ghostscript accessible from the command prompt, you can convert the ps file manually to, say, png with (and this is the step that is apparently failing in your GMT.jl installation)

psconvert file.ps -A Tg

where file.ps is the full file name C:\Users\jakez\AppData\Local\Temp/GMTjl_jakez.ps