https://github.com/anachrocomputer/vec

Vector graphics software to generate HPGL output to drive a plotter
https://github.com/anachrocomputer/vec

c drawing drawings geometric geometry hpgl pen pen-holders pen-plotters plotter roland-plotters vector-graphics

Last synced: 27 days ago
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Vector graphics software to generate HPGL output to drive a plotter

• Host: GitHub
• URL: https://github.com/anachrocomputer/vec
• Owner: anachrocomputer
• Created: 2013-09-17T13:05:09.000Z (about 11 years ago)
• Default Branch: main
• Last Pushed: 2024-09-15T17:24:57.000Z (3 months ago)
• Last Synced: 2024-11-10T01:35:08.904Z (about 1 month ago)
• Topics: c, drawing, drawings, geometric, geometry, hpgl, pen, pen-holders, pen-plotters, plotter, roland-plotters, vector-graphics
• Language: C
• Homepage:
• Size: 325 KB
• Stars: 24
• Watchers: 9
• Forks: 3
• Open Issues: 2
• Metadata Files:
  • Readme: README.md

Awesome Lists containing this project

• awesome-plotters - vec - Example C code for generating HPGL, with a turtle graphics interface. (Software / HPGL)

README

        
# vec #

Vector graphics demo software to run on an HPGL pen plotter.

The programs are in C and may be compiled with 'gcc' on Linux

(MacOS X may also work).

They generate HPGL and send it to a plotter via the parallel port

(/dev/usb/lp0),

the serial port (/dev/ttyUSB0),

or to a file.

Most of the programs accept command-line arguments to scale the vector

drawings up or down (default size is suitable for ISO A3 paper).

## HPGL ##

HPGL stands for Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language.

It is a simple text-based language to encode vector graphics and

drive pen plotters.

Most pen plotters will accept it, not just those made by HP.

The basic resolution of HPGL is 40 plotter units per millimetre.

HPGL drawing primitives are straight lines, arcs, and text.

## Useful Tools ##

To build the programs, we'll need the 'build-essential' package:

`sudo apt install build-essential`

To preview the HPGL files on a raster-scan display,

use a package called 'hp2xx'.

Install it with a command-line such as:

`sudo apt install hp2xx`

The Makefile will use 'hp2xx' to generate low-resolution preview images

in PNG format.

It also converts the HPGL to SVG for previewing in a browser or for

plotting on newer types of plotter such as the AxiDraw.

## The Plotters ##

Most of the programs here have been tested on a Roland DXY-990 A3

flat-bed pen plotter.

Some have also been used at A1 size on the much bigger Roland DPX-3300.

A few have been tested on the fast HP 7550A A3 grit-wheel plotter.

## The Pens ##

I use Pilot V-Ball pens on the Roland plotters, in modified pen-holders.

For thicker lines, I use Staedtler Triplus pens, again with pen-holders

that fit the Roland plotters.

Other types of pen will no doubt work, and few of the plots here rely

on special line width or other pen properties.

Most of the plots require only a single pen.

None of the drawings are intended for use with vinyl cutters, but there's

plenty of scope to try that sort of thing.