[sdiy] Freeware HPGL conversion? (front panel stuff)

[Magnus Danielson]

From: "Bret Truchan" <clone45 at hotmail.com>
Subject: [sdiy] Freeware HPGL conversion? (front panel stuff)
Date: Sun, 01 Feb 2004 11:07:15 -0800
Message-ID: <BAY1-F122C8lUQjYvUh00057115 at hotmail.com>

> Hello!

Hi Bret,

> I know that this topic flew by a month or so ago but I missed it.  Is there 
> any freeware software that will convert normal graphis files (tiff, bmp, 
> jpg) to HPGL?

Going from a pixel-oriented format like TIFF, BMP or JPEG to a vector format
like HPGL is less than simple. Doing it the other way around, from HPGL to
any of them is however quite possible and is already done:

http://www.gnu.org/directory/print/printers/hp2xx.html

> Has anyone started a library of HPGL files for synth DIY 
> people... or does anyone have any HPGL files that they've used that I can 
> take a peek at for reference?

For what need?

Use of HPGL is in my mind a format destined for plotters, printers, CNCs and
similar equipment. If you want to interact with such equipment you must either
have a HPGL export in them or have some other vector format which will allow
for predictable translation into HPGL. TIFF, BMP and JPEG isn't at all good
intermediary formats for that purpose, they are in effect "destructive" and I
would not trust the output result for much.

So, what are you *actually* trying to acheive?

Cheers,
Magnus