b4ckspace / hpgl-plot

HP 7475A plotter sendhpgl script

Python module to send HP-GL code to a 7475A plotter

Installation

Linux

Clone this repository and cd into the directory:

git clone https://github.com/b4ckspace/hpgl-plot
cd hpgl-plot

You should install the module and its dependencies in a Python virtual environment. To create and enter one, execute:

virtualenv env
source env/bin/activate

To install the sendhpgl module along with its deps, run:

pip install .

Windows

Clone this repository and cd into the directory:

git clone https://github.com/b4ckspace/hpgl-plot
cd hpgl-plot

You should install the module and its dependencies in a Python virtual environment. To create and enter one, execute:

python -m venv env
env\Scripts\activate

To install the sendhpgl module along with its deps, run:

pip install .

Usage

The module takes two arguments:

• The serial port your plotter is connected to (probably /dev/ttyUSB0) or COM.. for Windows
• The path to your .hpgl file

To run it, execute the following while inside the venv: eg Linux

sendhpgl /dev/ttyUSB0 path/to/file.hpgl

Windows

sendhpgl COM3 path\to\file.hpgl

Your device should now start plotting.

Troubleshooting

• If after an SP your plotter places a dot at its previous position, you should insert a PU command before each SP. It will still move to its last position, but it won't drop the pen.