hp_glplotf, hp_gl2plotf
 
 
 

Purpose

hp_glplotf translates Alias plot files into HP-GL (IBM GL) format files that are suitable for plotting on any supported plotter.

hp_gl2plotf creates similar output, but includes initialization commands required for HP-GL2 plotters.

Overview

hp_glplotf and hp_gl2plotf are filters which take input from stdin or <in_file> and send output to stdout or <out_file>, which would normally be sent to lp.

Description

hp_glplotf [-a] [-c<x>[<y>]] [-h] [-i] [-m<model>] [-n] [-p<paper>] [-r<angle>] [-s] [t # #] [<in_file> [<out_file>]]  
-a specifies automatic feed is to be used.
-c<x>[<y>] specifies scale correction factors.
-h displays the on-line help.
-i displays version information.
-m<model> specifies the plotter model type.
-n separates HPGL plot commands on new lines.
-p<paper> specifies the paper type.
-r<angle> specifies the force plot rotation angle.
-s sizes the plot produced automatically. The plotter’s default size is used.
-t # # specifies the text scaling where # and # are the width and height.
<in_file> reads input from the file <in_file>. The default is to read from stdin.
<out_file> writes output to the file <out_file>. The default is to write to stdout.
Note

Any errors encountered by the HP-GL and IBM-GL device drivers are written to a file /tmp/plot_err.<number> as well as /usr/adm/syslog. Look there for any clues as to why the plotter is not working. The <number> is determined by the operating system.

Automatic page advance

Some plotters can be fitted with a spool feed or have an automatic page advance option. This also applies to printers like the IBM-4019 and IBM-4029, which can automatically advance the page. To tell the plotter driver that you are using the spool feed option the following option should be specified:

-fa

Correction factor

When large plots are plotted, some inaccuracies can creep in over large distances. As an interim fix, it is possible to compensate for this error by specifying x and y correction factors. The default x and y correction factor is 1.0, which is no correction at all. The correction factors are used internally as multipliers.

Example

If you plotted something that should have come out 30" and it came out to 30.125", the plot was 0.125" too large. Assuming that the same error occurs in both the x and y directions, you would need a correction factor of 30/30.125 = 0.9959. The following should compensate for the error:

-fc0.9959
Note

Setting the correction values in the Plotting Interface window opened by File > Plot, overrides the correction values in the LP queue options for plot output section of the Alias Preferences window.