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