CorelDRAW Help | HPGL Plotter File (PLT)

HPGL Plotter File (PLT)

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

1 Click File

Import.

2 Locate the folder in which the file is stored.

3 Choose PLT - HPGL Plotter File (*.plt; *.hgl) from the list box next to the File name box.

4 Click the filename.

5 Click Import.

6 In the HPGL options dialog box, adjust any of the settings.

7 Click OK.

To export an HPGL Plotter file

1 Click File

Export.

2 Locate the folder where you want to store the file.

3 Choose PLT - HPGL Plotter File from the Save as type list box.

4 Type a filename in the File name list box.

5 Click Export.

6 In the HPGL export dialog box, adjust any of the settings.

7 Click OK.

HPGL Plotter (PLT) technical notes

Importing a PLT file

• Corel programs support versions 1 and 2 of PLT file formats although some features of version 2 are not supported.

• 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.

• The curve resolution factor can be set to a value between 0.0001 and 1.0 inch. The value can be very precise; up to eight decimal places are accepted. A setting of 0.0001 results in the highest resolution, but it also greatly increases file size. A curve resolution of 0.004 inch is recommended.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Exporting a PLT file

• In CorelDRAW, you now have the option of setting the Plotter origin to Top left.

• Only the outlines of objects are exported to the PLT file format.

• Dotted lines, dashed lines, and arrowheads are mapped to standard line types of the PLT file format.

• Bézier curves are converted to line segments.

• Outline thickness and calligraphic settings are lost.

• Outline colors are limited to eight: black, blue, red, green, magenta, yellow, cyan, and brown.