Modular Synth Panels

I would like to make use of HPGL graphics for my panels, but I can't figure out how to do it. I have searched out this subject a few times over the years and I never seem to get anywhere. Is there some mojo about .PLT files that I don't know about? I'm having a hard time cracking this nut.

I'd be very thankful of anyone who would give us a step by step. i.e.: download this driver, I use this software, I export file as... etc.

Anything would be helpful really; links, search words

I'm using windowsXP and have Adobe Illustrator (if that helps).

Thanks,
p.

The HPGL is an ASCII file with commands like PEN UP, PEN DOWN, and MOVE,
etc. in the file. So, theoretically (I've had the privilege of doing this)
you can type your own in or edit an existing one with a simple text editor.

 

Most CAD programs have an option to output to an HPGL/PLT file. That is the
best and easiest way to go. You just have to make sure the drawing commands,
primitives, etc. you use in your CAD program can be translated into HPGL
speak. Not all drawing commands can be effectively translated into the HPGL
paradigm, EG: bitmap graphics as opposed to vector graphics.

 

The history goes back to the old HP plotters. The language drove a mechanism
moving pens in the X-Y plane. I still remember being fascinated watching the
pens fly around.

 

There are some applications which translate from various graphics into HPGL,
but I found them to have difficulty on all but the most simple graphics. I
recommend looking into Adobe Illustrator and see if they have an option to
output a PLT file. Being a vector graphics drawing program, it probably
does. Otherwise, you can look at cheap or free 2D CAD packages.

 

David

 

David M. Ingebretsen M.S., M.E.

Collision Forensics & Engineering, Inc.

2469 East Fort Union Blvd. STE 114

Salt Lake City, UT 84121

www.CFandE.com

 

801 733-5458 Office

801 842-5451 Cell

 

dingebre@...

dingebre@...

From: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of peng3002
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 12:37 PM
To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ModularSynthPanels] HPGL files in FPD. How do I do it?

 

I would like to make use of HPGL graphics for my panels, but I can't figure
out how to do it. I have searched out this subject a few times over the
years and I never seem to get anywhere. Is there some mojo about .PLT files
that I don't know about? I'm having a hard time cracking this nut.

I'd be very thankful of anyone who would give us a step by step. i.e.:
download this driver, I use this software, I export file as... etc.

Anything would be helpful really; links, search words

I'm using windowsXP and have Adobe Illustrator (if that helps).

Thanks,
p.

I use them regularly in my panels to save money. I have no idea how to make them, I've just "borrowed" some from other panels that use them using copy and paste. I've got 2 that I use frequently - knob tick marks with and without numbers. You can resize them to fit different sized knobs easily enough. Just go and download the fpd's in my directory, and look around in them - I think all of my panels have them. 

--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, "peng3002" <megaOhm1@...> wrote:

>
> I would like to make use of HPGL graphics for my panels, but I can't figure out how to do it. I have searched out this subject a few times over the years and I never seem to get anywhere. Is there some mojo about .PLT files that I don't know about? I'm having a hard time cracking this nut.
> 
> I'd be very thankful of anyone who would give us a step by step. i.e.: download this driver, I use this software, I export file as... etc.
> 
> Anything would be helpful really; links, search words
> 
> I'm using windowsXP and have Adobe Illustrator (if that helps).
> 
> Thanks,
> p.
>