The following example ILLUSTRATES the process: gnuplot> gnuplot> function(x,y) = y - x**2 / tan(y) gnuplot> set contour base gnuplot> set cntrparam levels discrete 0.0 gnuplot> unset surface gnuplot> set table 'graphcurves.dat' gnuplot> splot function(x,y) gnuplot> unset table gnuplot> plot 'graphcurves.dat' w l