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

[Bret Truchan]

Hi Magnus,

I realized after I posted that you're probably correct - converting from a 
.bmp or other raster graphic to an HPGL file probably isn't the best 
technique.

I'm looking to create nice circular tick marks, like Doepfer or Modcan has, 
around my knobs.  I'm having the panels created by Front Panel Designer, 
which imports the HPGL files.  I've tried using Front Panel Designer's tools 
to create the tick marks (and semi-circle), but it's not so trivial. :-(

Thanks a ton!
- Bret


> > 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

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