[sdiy] HPGL Engraving Files??

[xamboldt]

HPGL is also a pretty simple language to learn to code by hand. I'm  
not much of a programmer, but using resources I found online I was  
able to save money by plotting out pot markings and other lines in  
HPGL and used them on panels from FPE. It could be a pain if you're  
trying to do something extra-fancy, but it's not difficult for simple  
shapes. IIRC you can also cut and paste HPGL you want to use from  
other people's designs into yours. Once you get a hang of the  
language, you can edit other people's HPGL files pretty easily too.  
Just open them up in a text editor and away you go...

Hope this helps,
Chris

On Sep 3, 2008, at 5:23 PM, Tom Bugs wrote:

> Heya Dan,
>
> There's probably some free CAD software about which others may  
> suggest..
>
> I generate .plt (HPGL) files using Abacom's FrontDesigner - cheap  
> ($30 or so) and (quite) cheerful.
> - for example it has a scale-assistant which is pretty good to use.
>
> While I don't use FPD, what I have been doing recently is importing  
> the HPGLs into Eagle (using EagleHPGL - download from Cadsoft) and  
> then producing front panels that way.
> I've just ordered a new batch of some designs and if these work out  
> well I'll try to write up some details about the process - either on  
> my web or at the electro-music.com forum.
>
> All best,
> Tom
>
> Dan Snazelle wrote:
>> I am using Front Panel Designer quite a bit now. But often,  
>> whenever i look at examples done by people who KNOW what they are  
>> doing, they have all these nice engravings which are called HPGL  
>> engravings.
>>
>> However, when i click on the HPGL tool, it asks me to load a file.  
>> (of which I have none)
>>
>> what is the deal? are these engraving tools extra? where do you  
>> import them from? are they vector objects (like from illustrator?)
>>
>> thanks
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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