Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: HPGL plotters (was Producing G code...)

Hi Hal, List,

You should also be able to "copy" to the LPT.

With windows, you can set up a plotter as a printer. "Generic" and
HP7475 work for me. You can also print to file. Thus Vector, (and
probably all other CAD packages in windows as well) can generate HPGL
files. I believe you'll have to add devices (plotters).

View Companion handles HPGL, and can output DXF, Gerber and other files.

http://www.softwarecompanions.com/

This would be a way to get DXF from programs that only generate HPGL.
And of course, Ace or FlashCut can generate Gcode from DXF.

Alan KM6VV


hal_eckhart wrote:

> On 5/19/04 11:37 PM, caudlet thom-at-tcaudle.com |yahoo| wrote:
>
>
>>Most commercial plotters will not drive
>>directly from Windows even though most claim to be HPGL compatable.
>>The solution has been to have a separate sign layout package that had
>>the correct drivers for your cutter. Signtools negates the need for
>>the separate package if all you do is make signs...
>
>
> and also:
>
>
>>Trouble is, that the generic HP driver
>>that used to ship with Windows stopped working in Windows 2000 and
>>above.
>
>
> Okay, I know this is getting pretty far off topic, but I just bought an ancient plotter/cutter,
> and I finally figured out how to make the stupid thing just run some HPGL without any
> other software or even a printer driver.
>
> So the answer is... DOS! For a parallel port connected plotter, simply type the following at
> the DOS prompt:
>
> print "C:\dir\file.plt">lpt1
>
> You can also run one liners using the syntax:
>
> echo [string]>lpt1
> for example
> echo "PU0 0;">lpt1 # to go home
> or
> echo "PU10160 0;">lpt1 # to advance 10 inches
>
> So much for progress.
>
>
>