I've been trying to use Inkscape to drive an HP 7475A plotter, and having some very strange issues. With certain files that I created in inkscape, it works reasonably well, but when I use plots generated from PDFs or from other SVG sources, the plotter goes crazy drawing lines all over the place. I originally thought it was a wiring issue on my plotter, but when the HPGL file is re-imported to Inkscape, it accurately shows all the crazy commands being sent, I've looked through the python code for the exporter, but I haven't been able to track down what in the python extension is causing these.
I've also noticed that the plot extension ignores all text elements unless converted to paths, even though HPGL has provisions for high speed text output, not sure where to even start trying to add that to the extension, but if anyone's done similar it would be extremely handy (and speed up plotting substantially!)
I've attached an SVG and the HPGL output for a couple test pieces that have made all sorts of weird lines. Importing the HPGL into inkscape on default settings shows it all.
When I open your file with my Inkscape Version 1.0, I can see the lines you probably mentioned. So it looks like the HPGL file creation process adds some unwanted information during document creation. (Please see attached Document)
I've similar problems converting over to HPGL and maybe HPGL lacks some bits because of its beta release state?
Interestingly, if I go through and manually ungroup everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) so it's all one flat layer of paths, it works somewhat better, but still glitches out on a lot of shapes and paths.
Inkscape is the only program I've found capable of generating HPGL on windows 10 without spending a ludicrous amount. The HPGL standard has been around for decades, and is extremely thorough (including provisions for text, curves, fills, polygons, custom fonts / characters etc...) and it would be fantastic to be able to use the old pen plotters I've got that want HPGL input.
.hpgl output in 0.94.4 and 0.92.5 was perfect. I use the output for a postprocessor for CNC laser cutting, hence i am forced to use 0.92.5 version. How do we fix this bug in inkscape version 1.0 which otherwise has better features.
THANK YOU for the tip that it works in 0924 and 0925!!! It's possible to install multiple versions of Inkscape so at least for the time being I'll keep a copy of 0925 installed for HPGL output along with my regular 1.0.
Still would love to have automatic text output but that'll be a long ways off I suspect.
Thank you! I managed to use the Graphitec CE-7000 plotter through 0.92.5 and not through its basic software, which does not work. And frankly complicated.
Using Inkscape with Cutters/Plotters HPGL output goes crazy
Inkscape.org
I've been trying to use Inkscape to drive an HP 7475A plotter, and having some very strange issues. With certain files that I created in inkscape, it works reasonably well, but when I use plots generated from PDFs or from other SVG sources, the plotter goes crazy drawing lines all over the place. I originally thought it was a wiring issue on my plotter, but when the HPGL file is re-imported to Inkscape, it accurately shows all the crazy commands being sent, I've looked through the python code for the exporter, but I haven't been able to track down what in the python extension is causing these.
I've also noticed that the plot extension ignores all text elements unless converted to paths, even though HPGL has provisions for high speed text output, not sure where to even start trying to add that to the extension, but if anyone's done similar it would be extremely handy (and speed up plotting substantially!)
I've attached an SVG and the HPGL output for a couple test pieces that have made all sorts of weird lines. Importing the HPGL into inkscape on default settings shows it all.
Hello there,
Thank you for uploading your HPGL file.
When I open your file with my Inkscape Version 1.0, I can see the lines you probably mentioned. So it looks like the HPGL file creation process adds some unwanted information during document creation. (Please see attached Document)
I've similar problems converting over to HPGL and maybe HPGL lacks some bits because of its beta release state?
Interestingly, if I go through and manually ungroup everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) so it's all one flat layer of paths, it works somewhat better, but still glitches out on a lot of shapes and paths.
Inkscape is the only program I've found capable of generating HPGL on windows 10 without spending a ludicrous amount. The HPGL standard has been around for decades, and is extremely thorough (including provisions for text, curves, fills, polygons, custom fonts / characters etc...) and it would be fantastic to be able to use the old pen plotters I've got that want HPGL input.
.hpgl output in 0.94.4 and 0.92.5 was perfect. I use the output for a postprocessor for CNC laser cutting, hence i am forced to use 0.92.5 version. How do we fix this bug in inkscape version 1.0 which otherwise has better features.
THANK YOU for the tip that it works in 0924 and 0925!!! It's possible to install multiple versions of Inkscape so at least for the time being I'll keep a copy of 0925 installed for HPGL output along with my regular 1.0.
Still would love to have automatic text output but that'll be a long ways off I suspect.
Thank you! I managed to use the Graphitec CE-7000 plotter through 0.92.5 and not through its basic software, which does not work. And frankly complicated.
I'm also having issues when exporting / plotting with inkscape 1.0.
I'd like to try with 0.92.5 but it is not online any more... does anyone have an mac .dmg stored in his computer that can send me a link to?
thankyou!
This is exactly the same problem what I have.
https://inkscape.org/release/0.92.5/platforms/