# How to get started with Graphviz

**URL:** <https://forum.graphviz.org/t/how-to-get-started-with-graphviz/1334>\
**Category:** Help\
**Created:** [October 17, 2022, 1:08am UTC](https://forum.graphviz.org/t/how-to-get-started-with-graphviz/1334 "2022-10-17T01:08:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rayj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@rayj](https://forum.graphviz.org/u/rayj)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2022, 1:08am UTC](https://forum.graphviz.org/t/how-to-get-started-with-graphviz/1334/1 "2022-10-17T01:08:59Z")

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Windows 11  
windows\_10\_cmake\_Release\_graphviz-install-6.0.2-win64.exe

dot -h and dot -v work  
dot -c does not work

I would like to find a tutorial but I have only found Python info.  
The Graphviz docs are extensive, but I do not see how to work within it.

It is not clear whether I have the entire package. I downloaded the 64-bit version. The 32-bit version says it has all the libraries. The 64-bit version does not state that.

I am looking forward to working in Graphviz.

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**Author:** ![mark](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/graphviz/user_avatar/forum.graphviz.org/mark/32/84_2.png) [@mark](https://forum.graphviz.org/u/mark)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2022, 1:25am UTC](https://forum.graphviz.org/t/how-to-get-started-with-graphviz/1334/2 "2022-10-17T01:25:38Z")

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When you say “does not work” do you get an error message? could you share what you see?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![rayj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@rayj](https://forum.graphviz.org/u/rayj)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2022, 11:48am UTC](https://forum.graphviz.org/t/how-to-get-started-with-graphviz/1334/3 "2022-10-17T11:48:11Z")

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When I input dot -c, at the command prompt, a new prompt displays. No other action occurs.

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**Author:** ![steveroush](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9adbd/32.png) [@steveroush](https://forum.graphviz.org/u/steveroush)\
**Post date:** [October 17, 2022, 12:55pm UTC](https://forum.graphviz.org/t/how-to-get-started-with-graphviz/1334/4 "2022-10-17T12:55:05Z")

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if `dot -V ` (note: capital V) gives a result similar to this

```auto
dot -V
dot - graphviz version 5.0.0 (20220707.1540)

```

You are good to go

Here are two links taht describe how to work with Graphviz:

- [Absolute beginner - how do I create a dot file](https://forum.graphviz.org/t/absolute-beginner-how-do-i-create-a-dot-file/392)
- [windows - Graphviz: How to go from .dot to a graph? - Stack Overflow](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1494492/graphviz-how-to-go-from-dot-to-a-graph)

Here is a mini tutorial on how to create a Graphviz input file:  
Using any editor that can create a text file, create a file named **first.gv** and copy/paste the following (in a known directory):

```auto
digraph {
  hello [shape=circle]
  world [color=red]
  hello -> world
}

```

Then start a **cmd** window, **cd** to the above directory and type:  
`dot -Tpng first.gv > first.png `  
using Windows File Explorer, display **first.png**

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pof](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/graphviz/user_avatar/forum.graphviz.org/pof/32/800_2.png) [@pof](https://forum.graphviz.org/u/pof)\
**Post date:** [October 18, 2022, 6:27am UTC](https://forum.graphviz.org/t/how-to-get-started-with-graphviz/1334/5 "2022-10-18T06:27:57Z")

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Why do you need the `dot -c` command?  
If you ran `dot -h` you saw that it says that this command is for configuring plugins:  
 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/graphviz/original/1X/07dc538079ee611d415891bc222470244377116f.png)

More written [here](https://graphviz.org/docs/layouts/writing-layout-plugins/#cleanup), CTRL+F `dot -c`.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![rayj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@rayj](https://forum.graphviz.org/u/rayj)\
**Post date:** [October 18, 2022, 11:36am UTC](https://forum.graphviz.org/t/how-to-get-started-with-graphviz/1334/6 "2022-10-18T11:36:11Z")

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I appreciate all the examples. That was a great kick-off.

@pof  
Once I found the help command, I saw the association of -c and configuration. The reference I was using said dot -c would open a dot console. I must have misinterpreted the directions.

Thank you all