HPGL Plotter File (PLT)

The HPGL Plotter File (PLT) format, developed by Hewlett Packard, is vector-based. It is used in programs such as AutoCAD for printing drawings on plotters. Other Corel applications can interpret a SUBSET of the HPGL and HPGL/2 command set. This format uses a scaling factor of 1,016 plotter units to 1 inch.


To import an HPGL Plotter file

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop HPGL Plotter File (PLT)
1.
 
Click File CorelDRAW onestep HPGL Plotter File (PLT) Import.
2.
 
Locate the folder in which the file is stored.
3.
 
Do one of the following:
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(Windows Vista) Choose PLT – HPGL Plotter File (*.plt; *.hgl) from the list box next to the File name box.
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(Windows XP) Choose PLT – HPGL Plotter File from the Files of type list.
4.
 
Click the filename.
5.
 
Click Import.
6.
 
In the HPGL options dialog box, adjust any of the settings.

To export an HPGL Plotter file

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop HPGL Plotter File (PLT)
1.
 
Click File CorelDRAW onestep HPGL Plotter File (PLT) Export.
2.
 
Locate the folder in which the file is stored.
3.
 
Choose PLT – HPGL Plotter File from the Save as type list box.
4.
 
Type a filename in the File name list box.
5.
 
Click Export.
6.
 
In the HPGL export dialog box, adjust any of the settings.

HPGL Plotter (PLT) technical notes

CorelDRAW btnbacktotop HPGL Plotter File (PLT)


Importing a PLT file
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Corel programs support versions 1 and 2 of PLT file formats although some features of version 2 are not supported.
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You can import images larger than the Corel program’s maximum page size by enabling the Scale option in the HPGL options dialog box, which lets you resize the imported image.
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The curve resolution factor can be set to a value between 0.0 and 1.0 inch. The value can be very precise; up to eight decimal places are accepted. A setting of 0.0 results in the highest resolution, but it also greatly increases file size. A curve resolution of 0.004 inch is recommended.
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The PLT file format does not contain color information. Instead, the various objects in a PLT file have certain pen numbers associated with them. When imported into a Corel program, each pen number is assigned a specific color. You can specify the color assigned to a particular pen, so that you can match the original colors of the graphic.
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The Pen selection list contains 256 pens, although not all of the pens may be assigned. You can change the color assignments by choosing the pen and then choosing a new color for that pen from the Pen color list box. Choosing Custom colors brings up a color definition dialog box that allows you to define a custom color according to RGB values.
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You can change the pen width assignments by choosing the pen and then choosing a new width for that pen from the Pen width list box.
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You can change the pen velocity by choosing the pen and then choosing a new velocity for that pen from the Pen velocity list box. This is useful only for exporting PLT files.
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You can set a defined pen to the Unused option. You can also reset the current Pen Library pen settings to the previously saved settings.
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Corel programs support numerous dotted, dashed, and solid line types of the PLT file format. The pattern number of a line in a PLT file is translated to a line type pattern.
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If the PLT file contains a font that is not on the user’s computer, the PANOSE font matching dialog box lets the user replace the font with an available one.


Exporting a PLT file
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Only the outlines of objects are exported to the PLT file format.
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Dotted lines, dashed lines, and arrowheads are mapped to standard line types of the PLT file format.
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Bézier curves are converted to line segments.
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Outline thickness and calligraphic settings are lost.
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Outline colors are limited to eight: black, blue, red, green, magenta, yellow, cyan, and brown.

HPGL Plotter File (PLT)