Quick links to procedures on this page:
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The HPGL Plotter File (PLT) format, developed by Hewlett-Packard, is vector-based. It is used in programs such as AutoCAD for printing drawings on plotters. Other Corel applications can interpret a SUBSET of the HPGL and HPGL/2 command set. This format uses a scaling factor of 1,016 plotter units to 1 inch.
| To import an HPGL Plotter file | |
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Click File  Import.
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Locate the folder in which the file is stored.
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Do one of the following:
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(Windows 7 and Windows Vista) Choose PLT - HPGL Plotter File (*.plt;
*.hgl) from the list box next to the File name box.
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(Windows XP) Choose PLT - HPGL Plotter File from the Files of type list.
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Click the filename.
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Click Import.
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In the HPGL options dialog box, adjust any of the settings.
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| To export an HPGL Plotter file | |
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Click File Export.
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Locate the folder where you want to store the file.
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Choose PLT - HPGL Plotter File from the Save as type list box.
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Type a filename in the File name list box.
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Click Export.
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In the HPGL export dialog box, adjust any of the settings.
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| HPGL Plotter (PLT) technical notes | |
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Corel programs support versions 1 and 2 of PLT file formats although some
features of version 2 are not supported.
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You can import images larger than the Corel program’s maximum page size by
enabling the Scale option in the HPGL options dialog box, which lets you resize
the imported image.
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The curve resolution factor can be set to a value between 0.0 and 1.0 inch. The
value can be very precise; up to eight decimal places are accepted. A setting of 0.0
results in the highest resolution, but it also greatly increases file size. A curve
resolution of 0.004 inch is recommended.
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The PLT file format does not contain color information. Instead, the various objects
in a PLT file have certain pen numbers associated with them. When imported into
a Corel program, each pen number is assigned a specific color. You can specify the
color assigned to a particular pen, so that you can match the original colors of the
graphic.
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The Pen selection list contains 256 pens, although not all of the pens may be
assigned. You can change the color assignments by choosing the pen and then
choosing a new color for that pen from the Pen color list box. Choosing Custom
colors brings up a color definition dialog box that allows you to define a custom
color according to RGB values.
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You can change the pen width assignments by choosing the pen and then choosing
a new width for that pen from the Pen width list box.
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You can change the pen velocity by choosing the pen and then choosing a new
velocity for that pen from the Pen velocity list box. This is useful only for
exporting PLT files.
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You can set a defined pen to the Unused option. You can also reset the current Pen
Library pen settings to the previously saved settings.
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Corel programs support numerous dotted, dashed, and solid line types of the PLT
file format. The pattern number of a line in a PLT file is translated to a line type
pattern.
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If the PLT file contains a font that is not on the user’s computer, the PANOSE font
matching dialog box lets the user replace the font with an available one.
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In CorelDRAW X5, you now have the option of setting the Plotter origin to Top
left.
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Only the outlines of objects are exported to the PLT file format.
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Dotted lines, dashed lines, and arrowheads are mapped to standard line types of the
PLT file format.
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Bézier curves are converted to line segments.
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Outline thickness and calligraphic settings are lost.
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Outline colors are limited to eight: black, blue, red, green, magenta, yellow, cyan,
and brown.
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