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This is hp2xx.info, produced by makeinfo version 4.0 from hp2xx.texinfo.
START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
* HP2XX:(hp2xx). Conversion of HP-GL graphics into raster and
vector graphics formats
END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
This file documents the HP-GL converter HP2XX
This is Edition 1.2, September 2000, of `Using HP2XX: A HP-GL
Converter'.
Copyright (C) 1998 - 2000 Martin Kroeker Copyright (C) 1992 - 1994
Heinz W. Werntges
Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of this
manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice are
preserved on all copies.
Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of
this manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided also
that the accompanying file named COPYING which contains the "GNU
General Public License" is included exactly as in the original, and
provided that the entire resulting derived work is distributed under
the terms of a permission notice identical to this one.
Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this
manual into another language, under the above conditions for modified
versions, except that the abovementioned file COPYING containing the
"GNU General Public License" may be included in a translation approved
by the Free Software Foundation instead of in the original English.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Top, Next: Introduction, Prev: (dir), Up: (dir)
HP2XX, a HP-GL Converter
************************
This file describes HP2XX, a converter of HP-GL plotter data into
some vector and raster formats
This is Edition 1.2, September 2000, for HP2XX Version 3.4.x
* Menu:
* Introduction::
* Basics::
* Advanced subjects::
* Installation and modification notes::
* Appendix A:: Known HP-GL commands
* Appendix B:: Option summary
* Appendix C:: Acknowledgement, Copyright notice
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Introduction, Next: Basics, Prev: Top, Up: Top
Introduction
************
* Menu:
* Invoking hp2xx:: How to run hp2xx
* HP2XX for the impatient:: Learning to use hp2xx by examples
The `hp2xx' program is a versatile tool to convert vector-oriented
graphics data given in Hewlett-Packard's HP-GL plotter language into a
variety of popular both vector- and raster-oriented graphics formats.
The various supported output formats include Encapsulated PostScript
(EPS), PCX, IMG, and several formats intended to facilitate the
generation of graphics within TeX documents. In addition, `hp2xx'
output is printable on the HP Laserjet/Deskjet printer series, and it
may be used as a HP-GL previewer on many platforms, e.g. X11 and DOS
(VGA).
`hp2xx' first converts all HP-GL data into pure vectors and buffers
them internally. It then converts these vectors into a specified output
format (vector modes), or rasterizes them (raster modes) on an internal
bitmap. In raster modes, `hp2xx' then translates the bitmap into the
output format.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Invoking hp2xx, Next: HP2XX for the impatient, Up: Introduction
Invoking `hp2xx'
================
The format of the `hp2xx' command is:
hp2xx [OPTIONS] [INPUT-FILE(S)]
It follows the UNIX System V tradition of a filter, i. e., options
begin with `-', followed by a single letter and an optional parameter.
Options must appear immediately behind the program name and before the
input file name(s) (if specified). If no input file is given, `hp2xx'
reads from `stdin'. In addition to this traditional option handling,
`hp2xx' also supports GNU-style long options and option/non-option
permutation (*note Appendix B::). However, throughout this manual all
examples will only display short options.
`hp2xx' writes to the output file whose name can be specified by
option `-f'. Without option `-f', `hp2xx' generates output file names
from the input names and the selected mode (see option `-m'). `hp2xx'
writes to `stdout' if you supply a dash as output file name like in
`-f-'.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: HP2XX for the impatient, Prev: Invoking hp2xx, Up: Introduction
`hp2xx' for the impatient
=========================
This section is intended to give those of you a quick-start who are
quite familiar with traditional UNIX-style programs and with HP-GL and
other graphics formats. The following examples will give you a good
idea of `hp2xx''s functionality. *Note Appendix B:: for further details.
hp2xx foo.hp
Preview of HP-GL graphics in file `foo.hp'. The picture will fit
into a square of 200 mm width, assuming that your output device
(screen) features 75 DPI resolution (default).
hp2xx -q -d86 -h160 -w220 foo.hp bar.hp
Multiple-file preview. Option `-q' puts `hp2xx' into "quiet" mode.
The picture will fit into a rectangle of 220 mm width and 160 mm height,
assuming a 86 DPI resolution of the output device (screen).
hp2xx -t -c12340567 -p12230412 foo.hp
Preview, size according to original HP-GL data (as on a plotter),
with different pen colors and sizes. Color and width according to:
`Pen # : Color code / Size (pixel)'
`-------------------------------------'
` 1 : 1 (black) / 1'
` 2 : 2 (red) / 2'
` 3 : 3 (green) / 2'
` 4 : 4 (blue) / 3'
` 5 : 0 (background) / 0'
` 6 : 5 (cyan) / 4'
` 7 : 6 (magenta) / 1'
` 8 : 7 (yellow) / 2'
hp2xx -m eps -l a.log -h100 -w150 -p542 foo.hp bar.hp
Encapsulated Postscript mode. Files `foo.eps' and `bar.eps' will be
created. The diagnostic output will be written into `a.log', so `hp2xx'
works quietly. Both EPS pictures will fit into a rectangle of size 150
x 200 mm. The size (width) of pen 1: 0.5 mm, pen 2: 0.4 mm, pen 3: 0.2
mm, pen 4 ... pen 8: 0.1 mm.
unix% cat foo.hp | hp2xx -m pcl -o30 -O50 -i -F -f- | lpr -P ljet
In this generic UNIX example, `hp2xx' reads HP-GL code from `stdin',
converts it to HP-PCL which is suitable for direct output on any HP
Laserjet printer, and pipes the output via `stdout' into the
appropriate printer queue. Option `-f-' forces `hp2xx' to write to
`stdout' instead of a file, `-i' initializes the printer before the
output, `-F' sends a FormFeed at the end of output. There will be
(additional) 30 mm left and 50 mm top margins. 75 DPI are assumed per
default.
hp2xx -m pcx -f foo3.pcx -d300 -h80 -w150 -r90 -P2:4 foo.hp
PCX mode. Output goes into file `foo3.pcx'. A limiting rectangle of
150 x 80 mm at 300 DPI is assumed. The picture will be rotated by 90
degrees. Only pages 2 to 4 of the multi-page HP-GL source is used (each
occurrence of HP-GL code `PG;' increments the internal page counter).
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Basics, Next: Advanced subjects, Prev: Introduction, Up: Top
Basics
******
* Menu:
* Modes of hp2xx:: Selection of the output format
* Sizing your output:: Specifying width, height, page offsets etc.
* Pen sizes and colors:: How to emulate pens of various thickness and color
* Selecting a page (range):: Converting multi-page HP-GL files
* Vector formats:: Further details
* Raster formats:: Controlling the resolution (DPI) etc.
* Printer formats:: Options and restrictions
* Preview:: Some reminders for the unwary
* Misc. options:: Other bells and whistles
This chapter provides you with almost anything you'll need for
successful `hp2xx' applications. You'll probably soon operate `hp2xx'
by solely consulting the option summary (*note Appendix B::) or just by
calling `hp2xx' without any parameters to obtain its built-in option
summary.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Modes of hp2xx, Next: Sizing your output, Up: Basics
Modes of `hp2xx'
================
The mode switch `-m `string'' tells `hp2xx' about the mode it should
use to generate output, i.e., the desired output format. `hp2xx' can
run in three different groups of modes: Generating vector graphics,
raster graphics, or "preview mode", i.e., displaying the graphics.
Preview is the default; *note Appendix B:: for a list of all modes.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Sizing your output, Next: Pen sizes and colors, Prev: Modes of hp2xx, Up: Basics
Sizing your output
==================
NOTE: The basic unit length within `hp2xx' is `mm' (millimeter).
This unit is always assumed except where noted otherwise.
In contrast to a real HP-GL plotter, `hp2xx' lets you decide freely
about the size of the picture. While preserving the picture's aspect
ratio, `hp2xx' will fit the picture into a window of width W and height
H. By default, W = H = 200 (mm). Set these basic sizes using options
`-w W' and `-h H'.
Sometimes you'll want to change the aspect factor of a picture,
e.g., to spread out a square picture into landscape. Option `-a AF' is
used for this. AF > 1 increases x/y ratio, 0 < AF < 1 decreases x/y.
Example: Let's assume your picture covers a native coordinate range
of 100...900 plotter units in x direction and 200...600 in y direction.
Thus, its width is double its height. Using defaults, `hp2xx' will
create a picture of size 200 x 100 mm, while options `-w 100 -h 40'
will lead to a picture of size 80 x 40 mm, and `-w 100 -h 40 -a 0.5'
results in a 40 x 40 mm picture.
Alternatively, ignore explicit size control and rely on the true
HP-GL coordinates (and therefore: sizes) of the given input file(s).
Flag `-t' inhibits `-a -h -w' and lets `hp2xx' use true HP-GL sizes,
based on the assumption that 1 HP unit = 1/40 mm.
Some modes of `hp2xx' support page offsets, i.e., left and upper
margins added to the picture, probably in addition to some hard margins
which cannot be avoided. Currently, these modes are EPS, PCL, and PRE.
The left margin (offset) is modified with option `-o OFF_LEFT', while
the upper margin can be controlled via `-O OFF_UPPER'. OFF_LEFT and
OFF_UPPER are specified in mm.
Option `-C' (center the picture) works in combination with options
`-o -O' by modifying the offsets in such a way that the resulting
picture is centered within the frame defined by options `-w -h'.
Example: Assume that the picture is a square, and `-w 100 -h 40' are
specified. A 40 mm square with an additional left margin of (100-40)/2
= 30 mm will be produced if option `-C' is given. If the actual
width/height ration of the picture exactly matches the ratio defined by
`-w -h', option `-C' has no effect.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Pen sizes and colors, Next: Selecting a page (range), Prev: Sizing your output, Up: Basics
Pen sizes and colors
====================
Imagine a plotter with a pen carousel, e.g., like the model HP7550A.
The carousel carries a (small) number of pens. Their colors and tip
thicknesses (sizes) are selected by a human operator, while the plotter
only receives commands like "Now use pen number 5". If you don't
provide a pen, the plotter will move and "draw" without this pen if its
number is selected.
`hp2xx' emulates a carousel of up to 8 pens of various colors and
sizes. By default, all pens are present, have FOREGROUND color
(typically BLACK), and their tip thicknesses are one unit (here: 1/10
`mm' for vector modes, 1 pixel for raster modes). HPGL/2 commands
NP,PC,PW may override this for up to 255 freely configurable pens.
Pen colors and sizes are represented by digits to allow for a compact
option list. There are 8 colors including BACKGROUND (usually white).
*Note Appendix B:: for a list of all colors. E.g., color 3 is green,
and color 7 means yellow. Permitted pen sizes are 0 ... 9 units.
WARNING: In raster modes, all pen sizes are approximated by double,
triple, etc. width, and lines wider than 4 will probably not give
useful results.
Options `-c C-STRING' and `-s S-STRING' tell `hp2xx' about the pens
to be placed in the carousel. C-STRING and S-STRING are strings of 1
to 8 digits, corresponding to special choices of pen 1 to 8. Defaults
are C-STRING = S-STRING = `11111111' unless the hpgl file contains
corresponding PC and/or PW commands. Specifying `-c' or `-s' overrides
the equivalent HPGL/2 command. If you specify less than 8 pens, the
remaining pens keep their defaults.
Examples:
hp2xx -p13 foo.hp
Show a preview of `foo.hp', drawing all lines with pen #2 three
pixels wide instead of default 1 pixel, which applies to all other pens.
hp2xx -c12740 -p12230412 foo.hp
Here, pen #5 is "removed". Pens #1 and #7 keep their default sizes,
all others are set to various sizes. Pen #2 is red, #3 is yellow, and
#4 is blue, while all other pens keep `foreground' color, e.g., black.
If your HP-GL file contains the PC and/or PW commands introduced with
HP-GL/2, these are interpreted to allow up to 255 pens. The special case
where a pen is redefined to take on different colors is currently only
supported in PostScript output mode. In all other modes, the last PC
command encountered determines that pens' color for the entire plot.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Selecting a page (range), Next: Vector formats, Prev: Pen sizes and colors, Up: Basics
Selecting a page
================
There is a HP-GL command named `PG;' which amounts to a FormFeed.
Thus, there are multi-page HP-GL sources. While `hp2xx' was designed
for just one output picture per input file, there is a simple way to
cope also with multi-page sources:
`hp2xx' keeps track of the number of encountered `PG;' commands.
All code up to the next (if any) `PG;' command is considered a single
page. Pages are counted, starting at 1. You can ask `hp2xx' to ignore
all HP-GL commands other than on page N with option `-P N', effectively
filtering out any one-page graphics. Sometimes, converting a whole
page range makes sense, too. Therefore, `hp2xx' also accepts page
ranges via `-P N1:N2'. The default is `-P 0' which selects all pages.
WARNING: Some HP-GL sources may start with a `PG;' so the first page
of your graphics may be 2 instead of 1. Look for the number of
encountered pages in the diagnostic output if you miss the expected
page! If the detected coordinate range shows unreasonable numbers like
1e10, you'll be probably looking at an empty page.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Vector formats, Next: Raster formats, Prev: Selecting a page (range), Up: Basics
Vector formats
==============
All HP-GL graphics are decomposed by `hp2xx' into elementary move
and draw commands. Selecting a vector mode essentially defines the
conversion rules of such commands into specific formats.
The most popular and versatile vector format currently is
Encapsulated PostScript (EPS). (In fact, it is much more than just a
vector graphics format, but `hp2xx' uses only EPS's line drawing
features.) Many programs allow importation of EPS files, and PostScript
gives excellent printing results, so `-m `eps'' is highly recommended.
Unix users may also want to use either `Gnuplot' or especially `XFig'
to annotate their plots. The native formats of these programs are
directly supported via the `-m `gpt'' and `-m `fig'' options.
Currently, all other supported vector formats represent various
compromises to persuade TeX or LaTeX into the generation of graphics.
*Note TeX formats::, if you are specially interested in TeX.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Raster formats, Next: Printer formats, Prev: Vector formats, Up: Basics
Raster formats
==============
Raster graphics are probably the most widely used graphics by now.
Many publishing programs accept rasterized graphics. It's likely you'll
use `hp2xx' primarily in some raster mode.
In addition to vector modes, all raster modes need the desired
resolution of an assumed underlying pixel grid to plot on, i. e., the
number of pixels per unit length within that grid. A traditional
measure is the number of "dots per inch" (DPI). `hp2xx' makes an
exception from its usual unit length `mm' and lets you specify the
traditional DPI values. Option `-d NUM' affects both x and y
direction, NUM being the DPI value (an integer). if `-D NUM_Y' is also
specified, NUM_Y will override the NUM DPI value, but only for the y
direction.
There are plenty of raster formats on various platforms, much more
than `hp2xx' will ever handle. The supported raster formats IMG,
PBM/PPM, PCL, PCX, PNG and TIFF were chosen for their widespread use,
their simplicity, for actual demand, and for accessibility of
specifications. If your desired format is not supported, look for a
converter. E.g., the Portable Bitmap (PBM) project and more recently,
the ImageMagick package offer quite a variety of such converters.
Please note that the preview mode (which does not create any output
file) is a special raster mode. Instead of going into some output file,
the internal bitmap is transferred into display memory. Therefore, the
above considerations apply also to preview mode.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Printer formats, Next: Preview, Prev: Raster formats, Up: Basics
Printer formats
===============
Currently, there is only one well-tested printer format (not
counting `eps', which is printable on PostScript printers): `pcl',
which stands for HP PCL Level 3. Essentially it is a raster format, but
it comes with a few restrictions and additional options which
correspond to printer properties. It prints on HP Laserjet and HP
Deskjet series printers and compatibles.
The restriction concerns the resolution (DPI) during rasterization.
Due to printer hardware limitations, only `-d 75', `-d 100', `-d 150',
and `-d 300' are recommended (`hp2xx' will emit a warning for other
values, but will try to create the desired output); option `-D' must not
be used. Some recent printer models do support 600, 720 or even higher
resolutions, but even for those the requirements both in terms of cpu
load and file size may be prohibitive.
There are two flags which may be useful if the output goes directly
to a printer: Option `-i' initializes the printer and tries to select
the required paper format before the output starts, and `-F' sends a
FormFeed (ASCII 12) after the output.
For the HP Deskjet printer series, there is support of some "special"
commands; `-S 1' activates these. There is a limited support of color
modes available, too: For the DJ500C and newer models, `hp2xx' can
generate both CMY-based and CMYK-based color output (if colors are used:
see option `-c'). Supply option `-S 3' for CMY color mode, and option
`-S 4' for CMYK color mode (for the DJ550C). The Deskjet modes
automatically invoke TIFF compression (mode 2), while pure PCL Level 3
does not know about compression.
A driver for the Esc/P2 raster language used by the Epson Stylus
series of inkjet printers has been added in `hp2xx-3.4.0'. This should
work at least for the small-format printers at 720 dpi.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Preview, Next: Misc. options, Prev: Printer formats, Up: Basics
Preview
=======
Preview mode is `hp2xx''s default. Its use prior to all other
conversions is recommended since it offers a good impression of your
final results. Functionally it is also a raster mode.
Depending on your hardware and operating system platform, `hp2xx'
uses one of a variety of preview modules. On GUIs, a window containing
the graphics will pop up, while on other systems the whole screen may
be used for preview. You can control the position of a preview window
via options `-o' and `-O' in a natural way. In full-screen previews,
unused spaces are padded to the right and bottom with background color.
Since there is no way for `hp2xx' to predict the actual size and
resolution of your preview device, e.g., screen, you may have to gauge
`hp2xx''s preview mode (using options `-whdD'). For example, if your
device effectively works at 86 DPI and offers an active area of 24 by
18 cm,
hp2xx -d86 -w240 -h180 foo.hp
will make maximum use of your screen area and give you correct sizes.
Since a single gauge will do for all future calls, you'll probably want
to create some one-line batch file for invoking `hp2xx' in preview
mode, correctly gauged for your screen.
Depending on page offsets and the selected sizes and resolutions, a
preview may not fit on your screen. In that case, some preview modules
simply clip the picture; others give a warning but let you continue
(DOS), and others simply terminate -- so don't start too large.
DOS users: Most VGA cards offer high-resolution modes (SVGAs).
Unfortunately, there is no software standard for these modes. `hp2xx'
lets you utilize these modes anyway with just a little help from you.
Tell `hp2xx' the so-called mode byte of your favorite hi-res mode via
option `-V NUM'. Since `hp2xx' issues only standard BIOS calls for mode
switching, setting of color look-up table entries, and pixel drawing,
chances are good that your VGA card's hi-res modes will work!
WARNING: You can damage your hardware by specifying inappropriate
VGA modes! Generally you'll need a monitor which can sync on the
horizontal frequency of the selected VGA hi-res mode, e.g., a
multi-scan monitor. In case of doubt, switch off your monitor
immediately!!
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Misc. options, Prev: Preview, Up: Basics
Misc. options
=============
`hp2xx' features an on-line options summary. Invoking `hp2xx' with
option `-H', or with any illegal option or without any parameter, will
display about 2 pages of text. (Note: I'd have preferred option `-h'
for on-line help, but this option is needed by the indispensable HEIGHT
parameter.)
During operation, `hp2xx' outputs various information about the
current HP-GL file and about `hp2xx''s actions. As usual, all this goes
to `stderr'. You can re-direct these diagnostics into a file even
without any help from a UNIX shell by specifying a log file using option
`-l LOGFILE', or you may switch off diagnostics completely with option
`-q' (`quiet' mode). NOTE: Using both options as in `-q -l LOGFILE' is
of no use as it will result in an empty LOGFILE.
Finally, there is a simple way to rotate whole pictures: Option `-r
ANGLE' rotates the picture counter-clockwise by the supplied angle
(given in degrees). E.g.,
hp2xx -r90 foo.hp
will show the picture rotated by 90 degrees, letting vectors
originally pointing left-to-right now point botttom-to-top. This may be
handy e.g. for printing in landscape format. NOTE: The limiting
rectangle supplied by `-hw' is not affected by `-r', so in order to
obtain e.g. a full-page landscape picture on an A4 page, issue a
command similar to:
hp2xx -m pcl -d 150 -r90 -h270 -w160 landscape.hp
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Advanced subjects, Next: Installation and modification notes, Prev: Basics, Up: Top
Advanced subjects
*****************
* Menu:
* The coordinate range:: What hp2xx tells you about your HP-GL file
* Fixed scaling:: Define your own window in HP-GL coordinate space
* Scaling to true size:: How to generate pictures in their original sizes
* Swapping:: Some suggestions which you hopefully won't need
* Dots and lines:: Simplifications and assumptions
* Unsupported formats:: The ATARI fraction's favourites
* TeX formats:: The pros and cons
File: hp2xx.info, Node: The coordinate range, Next: Fixed scaling, Up: Advanced subjects
The coordinate range
====================
The natural unit of length in HP-GL is 1/40 mm = 0.025 mm, so a
typical A4 page covers roughly 11000 x 7500 natural units. Typically,
coordinates in HP-GL commands will be found in the range 0 ... 12000.
`hp2xx' will tell you the maximum and minimum coordinates ("picture
limits") it finds in your HP-GL picture for both x and y direction.
These values usually roughly cover this range. Even if your HP-GL
source plots in user-specific coordinates (realized via HP-GL command
`SC;' (SCale) ), this remains true, since `hp2xx' internally transforms
all points back to natural coordinates. Whenever the above range is
grossly violated, you may suspect corrupted data, because no real
plotter would be able to plot such a file.
If you ever discover a picture limit equalling plus or minus 10^10,
your HP-GL probably didn't draw anything. Initially, `hp2xx''s internal
picture limits are set to impossibly large (or small) values, i. e., +-
10^10, but the first plot command will set them to values found
therein, and successive plots push the limits outward. Example: XMAX
starts at -10^10, the first plot command may change it to 2536, the
next to 3470, the next 20 command fall short, etc. Eventually, XMAX
assumes the largest value and stays there. Knowledge about these
details may sometimes be crucial (*note Scaling to true size::).
`hp2xx' uses the picture limits internally for scaling and fitting
the data into the supplied limiting rectangle (*note Sizing your
output::). You can also affect the picture limits yourself for special
effects (*note Fixed scaling::).
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Fixed scaling, Next: Scaling to true size, Prev: The coordinate range, Up: Advanced subjects
Fixed scaling
=============
As noted earlier, `hp2xx' does not draw to scale, but rather it fits
a picture into a given limiting window. While this is very handy in most
applications, it may be undesirable when a series of pictures must be
drawn to the same scale. Unless all pictures possess the same picture
limits (modulo offsets), e.g., because all of them are surrounded by
some fixed frame, `hp2xx' would scale them all up differently to fit
each of them tightly into the limiting window.
There are two simple cures: First, make use of the true size option
`-t'. If the original HP-GL sizes do not fit, adjust picture limits to
guarantee a constant scaling: Make a preview of all pictures and note
the coordinate ranges `hp2xx' reports. Then, determine picture limits
which cover all of these individual limits. Finally, run `hp2xx' to
create your desired outputs using options `-xXyY' to tell `hp2xx' about
the picture limits it should use. If the pictures do not share common
offsets, you may have to correct for offsets manually. Use the preview
mode for testing. You'll get the same scale as long as the limiting
window and (XMAX - XMIN) and (YMAX - YMIN) remain constant for all
pictures.
WARNING: `hp2xx' does not clip lines. If the picture limits which
you manually can pre-set via options `-xXyY' are chosen too narrow,
they will be pushed outside just as described in the last section,
resulting in a different scale. Check the coordinate ranges `hp2xx'
reports. The should match the values supplied by options `-xXyY'!
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Scaling to true size, Next: Swapping, Prev: Fixed scaling, Up: Advanced subjects
Scaling to true size
====================
Earlier releases of `hp2xx' (binaries) did not offer option `-t',
which does everything you'll need for producing output with exactly the
sizes shown on a real plotter. The following paragraph shows how to
manually emulate the working of this option. Though outdated, I left it
in the manual as background material:
Sometimes you might want to create pictures sized exactly as if they
were drawn on a real plotter. There is a little trick which allows you
to do so using `hp2xx': As notes above, the natural unit of length in
HP-GL is 0.025 mm. Therefore, you can calculate the true picture size
from the picture limits reported by `hp2xx'. Transform these data into
mm and simply specify the limiting window accordingly! Example: `hp2xx
truesize.hp' reports the following coordinate ranges: XMIN = 250, XMAX
= 5250, YMIN = 100, YMAX = 3100. Thus, the picture is (XMAX - XMIN) *
0.025 mm = 125 mm wide and YMAX - YMIN) * 0.025 mm = 75 mm high, and
`hp2xx -w125 -h75 truesize.hp' will draw it in true size.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Swapping, Next: Dots and lines, Prev: Scaling to true size, Up: Advanced subjects
Swapping
========
`hp2xx' allocates memory for an internal bitmap dynamically. Large
pictures, high resolution, and use of colors may combine to let your
computer run out of memory (especially on non-swapping operating
systems like DOS).
In this case, `hp2xx' swaps the bitmap to disk, slowing down
considerably. Redirecting swapping to a fast disk, preferably a RAM
disk, might speed up things. You can replace the default swap file
`hp2xx.swp' using `-s `swapfile''. NOTE: If for some reason `hp2xx' is
aborted during swapping, you might have to delete the swap file
manually.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Dots and lines, Next: Unsupported formats, Prev: Swapping, Up: Advanced subjects
Dots and lines
==============
Here are some basics about the generation of dots and lines within
`hp2xx'. I mention them, because there is something left to be improved
here...
Some HP-GL codes cause `hp2xx' to generate points rather than lines
of length zero. There is a subtle difference between both. Depending on
the current output format, special code for points will be generated,
and occasionally, a point will look different from a zero-length line.
Use `-m epic' for such an example.
Line thicknesses can vary. Especially for thick lines, the matter of
line caps (how lines are ended, e.g. with a round cap) becomes relevant.
`hp2xx' does not do an elaborate job here. If line caps matter to you,
use `-m eps', edit the resulting Encapsulated PostScript file, look for
a line with `setlinecap' in it (near line 45), and select the line cap
of your choice by modifying the PostScript command `setlinecap'
accordingly. You can also use Metafont (via `-m mf') and replace the
picked pen "pencircle" by some other type. However, both methods are
far from convenient.
The internal rasterization done by `hp2xx' is a simple process and
may someday be replaced by something more efficient: A "draw point"
command essentially sets a single pel in the internal buffer. If line
width grows (2 - 4 units), a square of 2 to 4 pels length will be set.
Vector drawing is broken down to point drawing by the Bresenham
algorithm. Therefore, there is no notion of controlled line caps. The
shapes of line ends simply result from plotting these squares. In
addition, plotting all those pels is not really efficiently implemented,
so if anybody out there looks for a good place for speeding up `hp2xx',
this code (located in file `picbuf.c') is a good place to start.
Currently there are no plans by me to introduce different line caps
into `hp2xx', so waiting for them will be of no use.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Unsupported formats, Next: TeX formats, Prev: Dots and lines, Up: Advanced subjects
Unsupported formats
===================
This is just a brief note, not a real manual entry - sorry.
`PIC'
ATARI format, e.g. for the text processor Signum. Try to replace
by IMG.
`PAC'
ATARI format, e.g. for the CAD program STAD
`DJ_GR'
DOS previewer, based on DJ Delorie's gcc port and extender go32.
Works fine, but will be replaced by DOS/OS2 EMX version.
Abandoned by new maintainer due to lack of platform - volunteers
welcome.
`OS2'
Full-screen OS/2 2.x and DOS previewer. HWW: I don't yet have the
right development system, so this code is still missing.
MK: Any volunteers ?
`PM'
OS/2 2.0 PM previewer. Working, but without redirection of
messages to stderr into a second window. Volunteers needed to keep
OS/2 support up to date in new versions.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: TeX formats, Prev: Unsupported formats, Up: Advanced subjects
TeX formats
============
TeX was designed for typesetting, not for handling graphics. Putting
graphics directly into TeX therefore is always somewhat clumsy.
`hp2xx' offers four different compromises to do that, and much better,
though more indirect ways.
`-m `mf'' generates Metafont source code. Run `Metafont' and
`gftopk', and you'll end up with a special `pk' font containing the
single letter Z which represents your picture. Placing this Z somewhere
in your document using standard TeX commands draws your picture there.
If you want to avoid fiddling with additional programs and fonts, if
you work with LaTeX, and if you do not need high-quality plots, the
macros within `epic.sty' may help you. `-m `tex'' causes `hp2xx' to
generate appropriate TeX source code which you can `\input{}' into
LaTeX sources.
For emTeX users, there are yet another two way: `-m `em'' creates
TeX code containing many commands like `\special{em:...}' for line
drawing. The line drawing task will therefore be handled not by TeX
itself but by the emTeX drivers which can handle arbitrary line slopes
etc. Similarly, `-m `cad'' produces code based on the same principle,
but compatible with program `TeXcad.exe', which is distributed as a
part of emTeX, and which offers editing and drawing features for the
desired HP-GL figure(s).
Please note that all methods for generation of graphics WITHIN TeX
are compromises which usually work only for simple graphics. You'll
probably prefer using external methods like including EPS vector
graphics files with Tom Rokicki's `dvips' driver, or PCX files via the
emTeX drivers, or you'll generate special fonts with convenient
programs like F. Sowa's `bm2font'. `hp2xx' can help you in all of these
cases. The following table shows the pros and cons of the various
approaches (all are based on PD software):
Internal methods (all allowing DVI previewing of graphs):
via Metafont
`+:' Machine-independent; fully compatible with TeX
`-:' Slow; capacity problems with Metafont / gftopk / some DVI drivers
if used with large and/or complex graphics
via `epic.sty'
`+:' Machine-independent; single-step, native LaTeX approach; PD software
`-:' Slow; requires LaTeX; low-quality lines; just one line thickness;
complex graphs may exceed TeX capacity
via emTeX's `\special{em:...}'
`+:' No TeX capacity problem; good line quality; single-step procedure;
rasterization on demand, giving optimal resolution
`-:' Slows down drivers; driver capacity may be exceeded; emTeX required
External methods:
via PCX file inclusion:
`+:' Easy and fast; DVI preview of graphics
`-:' Requires emTeX drivers (only available on DOS and OS/2)
via special fonts:
`+:' Easy, fast, and trouble-free font generation via `bm2font';
DVI preview of graphics (!); portable
`-:' Many files for fonts etc.; confusing for novices
via EPS:
`+:' High-quality results; easy; no burden for TeX or drivers
`-:' No DVI preview; PostScript printer (or, e.g., GhostScript) required;
PostScript previewing is slower than DVI previewing.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Installation and modification notes, Next: Appendix A, Prev: Advanced subjects, Up: Top
Installation and modification notes
***********************************
* Menu:
* Installation procedure::
* Modules of hp2xx:: The general structure, and how to add your own format
* Future improvements:: Volunteers wanted!
* Font coding::
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Installation procedure, Next: Modules of hp2xx, Up: Installation and modification notes
Installation procedure
======================
Please note: The following description is very brief and assumes
that you are familiar with installation of PD software in general.
* Menu:
* Installation of run-time versions::
* Source-level installation::
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Installation of run-time versions, Next: Source-level installation, Up: Installation procedure
Installing an executable version
--------------------------------
This is simple! If you find a collection of pre-compiled versions of
`hp2xx', obtain the file `read.me' and read it to find out the name of
the file which fits to your system. Obtain it, rename it to something
like `hp2xx' or `hp2xx.exe', and place it somewhere on your search path
- that's it.
However, since the source release of `hp2xx' under the GNU public
license, the usual mode of installation has become configuring and
building `hp2xx' on your own system. This is detailed in the next
section.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Source-level installation, Prev: Installation of run-time versions, Up: Installation procedure
Source-level installation
-------------------------
NOTE: I am tempted to switch to GNU autoconf , i.e. have a configure
script generate the necessary Makefile automagically. This will probably
not be welcomed by those not on Unix-like platforms, however.
Currently, installation depends too much on manual work yet. Here is a
description how to proceed:
After unbundling all sources, go to subdirectory `./makes'. Select a
makefile most closely resembling your system's needs from the samples
given, copy it to `./sources/makefile', adapt it manually (if
necessary), and run `make all'. If everything is set correctly, this
results directly in a valid executable file which you may install at
any convenient place on your search path.
There are two types of makefile adaptation: First, let's assume there
is a makefile template available for your system. You then have the
option to add a few unsupported modes. Do so by un-commenting the
appropriate lines near the beginning of the makefile, and by commenting
out the corresponding standard lines.
The second type of course applies to systems with special needs
which are not yet covered by any makefile template. Currently, you are
on your own when it comes to supplying alternate paths, renaming or
adding system libraries and alike. Most probably you might have to tell
the makefile where to look for the X11 stuff, and where to find the png
library, if at all.
Note: Don't feel alarmed if your makefile seems to neglect many
source files. Any single installation will make use of only one
previewer (two on SUNs with activated SunView support), and there are
platform-dependent sources for some output formats which are not always
used.
Users wishing to compile `hp2xx' on MS Windows systems will find a
step-by-step procedure in the file `hp2xx_nt' in the documentation
directory.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Modules of hp2xx, Next: Future improvements, Prev: Installation procedure, Up: Installation and modification notes
Adding your own formats
=======================
First, study *Note Introduction:: for the outline of the modular
structure and general operation of `hp2xx'.
Let's assume you want to support TIFF format. The probably easiest
way of adding new formats is by modifying copies of existing files.
Since TIFF is a raster format, a good starting point would be
`to_pcx.c'. (Files `to_mf.c' or `to_eps.c' should be considered in case
of a vector format, and `to_vga.c' or `to_x11.c' in case of a new
previewer.) Copy it to a file `to_tiff.c' and edit the latter. The old
code is pretty much self-explanatory. Essentially, the output file is
opened, initializations are performed, and the internal bitmap is
converted into the target format (here, TIFF) scanline-by-scanline.
There is just one routine called from other modules (originally named
`PicBuf_to_PCX'. Rename it to e.g. `PicBuf_to_TIFF' ) and adapt the
conversion code.
Once you've done that, the rest (integration of the new format into
the package) is easy: First, edit `hp2xx.h' and add a prototype line
for `PicBuf_to_TIFF' in analogy to e.g., `PicBuf_to_PCX'. Edit the
`makefile's and add `to_tiff.c' to the list of sources and e.g.
`to_tiff.o' to the list of objects. Now you are ready for compilation
tests (but not for linking yet).
Then, change the main file `hp2xx.c' at various places: Near the
beginning of the file, add `XX_TIFF, ' to the `hp2xx_mode' typedef, and
a line like `XX_TIFF, "tiff", ' to the `ModeList' struct below.
Please note the alphabetical order of these lists. Never put anything
behind the termination code `XX_TERM'! At the end of the file, add a
`case' statement to the `switch' list in analogy to e.g. the `PCX'
entry.
You may also want to add a line to the on-line help to announce the
new format, and change the release number and date. Look for functions
`Send_ID' and `usage_msg' at the first quarter of file `hp2xx.c'!
Now a `make all' will produce code containing the new format. If
your format turns out to work nicely and seems to be of general
interest, please consider contributing it to the `hp2xx' project.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Future improvements, Next: Font coding, Prev: Modules of hp2xx, Up: Installation and modification notes
Future improvements
===================
The following table lists miscellaneous desirable features for future
releases:
Box and sector drawing / filling
Other, more rarely used HP-GL commands
Color support in UIS
PCL: Better data compression for DJ500, DJ500C, DJ550;
Loadable fonts, e.g. Hershey fonts, or: more built-in fonts
Full-screen previewer for OS/2
Easy installation on various platforms, e.g. via a configure script
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Font coding, Prev: Future improvements, Up: Installation and modification notes
Font coding
===========
This section is intended for those few users who might care to
improve the built-in character set of `hp2xx'.
HP-GL plotters feature built-in fonts with both fixed and
variable-width characters. There are commands for font selection and
quick switching between two pre-selected fonts, and there is also a way
for users to download own character definitions.
`hp2xx' currently features just a few fixed-width character sets
(sets 0-7).
If you plan to modify these characters set or to add more, you need
an understanding of how characters are drawn by `hp2xx'. The source
file `charset.h' contains a comment explaining this procedure. Below
you find a (modified) copy of this:
This file defines a standard character set by elementary
"draw" & "move" commands. The format is a very compact one from
the old days where every byte was still appreciated.
A font or character set is an array of strings. Each character is
addressed by its ASCII code.
A character is a (NULL-terminated) string of bytes. Each byte
codes for a draw or move action according to the code below:
`Bit: 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0'
` p x x x y y y y'
`p: ' Plot flag. If set, "draw to" new point, else "move to" it.
`xxx: ' 3-bit unsigned integer (0...7). X coordinate of new point.
`yyyy:' 4-bit unsigned integer (0..15). Y coordinate of new point.
The baseline is y = 4 instead of y = 0, so characters with parts
below it can be drawn properly. Function "code_to_ucoord" transforms
these coordinates into actual user coordinates.
Example: code for character `'L': "\032\224\324"' translates to:
`moveto(1,10); drawto(1,4); drawto(5,4);'
From the example you can conclude that the font below essentially is
defined on a 5x7 grid:
` 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7'
`15 - - - - - - - - - : unused'
`14 - - - - - - - - # : always used'
`13 - - - - - - - - o : sometimes used'
`12 - - - - - - - -'
`11 - - - - - - - -'
`10 o # # # # # - -'
` 9 o # # # # # - -'
` 8 o # # # # # - -'
` 7 o # # # # # - -'
` 6 o # # # # # - -'
` 5 o # # # # # - -'
` 4 o # # # # # - -'
` 3 o o o o o o - -'
` 2 o o o o o o - -'
` 1 o o o o o o - -'
` 0 o o o o o o - -'
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Appendix A, Next: Appendix B, Prev: Installation and modification notes, Up: Top
Known HP-GL commands
********************
`hp2xx' originally emulated a subset of the Hewlett-Packard 7550A
plotter. The following manual was used as reference for command
definitions: `[1] HP 7550A Interfacing and Programming Manual'. This
has gradually been expanded to include allmost all of what is now known
as HPGL/1, and most of the commands from HPGL/2.
Not all commands are supported. Among the non-supported commands are
those which do not really apply to a software emulator, like:
commands affecting the communication between plotter and host computer,
commands for changing the behaviour of a real plotter, like plotting speed etc.,
commands for the control of plotter memory allocation,
commands causing various plotter display outputs.
Other non-supported commands would be desirable, but were left out
due to their inherent complexity (or just because nobody had an
immediate need for them yet).
Programmers intending to add more HP-GL features should ideally take
care to implement the less-than-obvious side effects of existing
commands on the new features, too (and vice versa). E. g., line types
(`LT;') affect most but not all drawing commands: While the `ER;'
command (edge rectangle relative) uses the current line type, its
counterpart `EA;' (edge rectangle absolute) always draws solid lines.
However, both `PR;' and `PA;' use the current line type! In addition,
new features may need initializations by the already supported codes
`IN;' or `DF;', so these may have to be expanded. So carefully consult
[1] prior to adding new HP-GL commands.
The remainder of this section lists all HP-GL commands given on
pages 1-2 to 1-4 of [1] and marks them as either
`(.)' not applicable,
`(-)' ignored, or
`(+)' supported.
The label "supported" is used when I think the command is fully
supported in the context of the already implemented commands. In
general, you should have absolutely no problem with this class of
commands.
Though there still are unsupported commands, this does not mean that
you might have trouble using `hp2xx'. Nowadays, most HP-GL files are
machine-generated, e.g. by CAD or DTP programs. These tend to make use
of just a simple subset of HP-GL. To my experience, chances are high
that `hp2xx' will give you the picture you want!
`HP-GL|s n| Description & Remarks'
`Cmd | i |'
`=====|===|========================================================'
`AA |+ | Arc Absolute'
`AC | - | Anchor corner'
`AD | - | Alternate font Definition'
`AF |+ | Advance Full page [same as PG]'
`AH |+ | Advance Half page [same as PG]'
`AP | .| Automatic pen operations'
`AR |+ | Arc Relative'
`AS | .| Acceleration select'
`AT |+ | Arc through three points'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`BF | - | Buffer Plot [maybe not a valid hpgl command]'
`BL |+ | Buffer Label'
`BP |+ | Begin Plot [same as PG;IN]'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`CA |+ | Designate alternate character set'
`CC | - | Character Chord angle'
`CF | - | Character Fill mode'
`CI |+ | Circle'
`CM | .| Character selection mode'
`CO |+ | File comment'
`CP |+ | Character plot'
`CR | - | Color Range'
`CS |+ | Designate standard character set'
`CT | - | Chord tolerance'
`CV | - | Curved line generator'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`DC | .| Digitize clear'
`DF |+ | Default'
`DI |+ | Absolute direction'
`DL | - | Define downloadable character'
`DP | .| Digitize point'
`DR |+ | Relative direction'
`DS | - | Designate character into slot'
`DT |+ | Define label terminator'
`DV |+ | text Direction Vertical'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`EA |+ | Edge rectangle absolute'
`EC | .| Enable paper Cutter'
`EP |+ | Edge polygon'
`ER |+ | Edge rectangle relative'
`ES |+ | Extra space'
`EW |+ | Edge wedge'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`FI | - | pcl Font ID'
`FN | - | pcl secondary Font Number'
`FP |+ | Fill polygon'
`FR | - | FRame advance'
`FS | .| Force select'
`FT |+ | Fill type'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`GC | .| Group count'
`GM | .| Graphics memory'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`IM | - | Input error reporting mask'
`IN |+ | Initialize'
`IP |+ | Input P1 and P2'
`IR | - | Input Relative P1 and P2'
`IV | - | Invoke character slot'
`IW |+ | Input window'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`KY | .| Define key'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`LA | - | Line Attributes'
`LB |+ | Label'
`LO |+ | Label origin'
`LT |+ | Line type'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`MC | - | Merge Control'
`MG |+ | Message [same as WD]'
`MT | . | Media Type'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`NP |+ | Number of Pens'
`NR | .| Not ready (unload page and go offline)'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`OA | .| Output actual position and pen status'
`OC | .| Output commanded position and pen status'
`OD | .| Output digitized point and pen status'
`OE | - | Output error'
`OF | - | Output factors'
`OG | .| Output group count'
`OH | - | Output hard-clip limits'
`OI | .| Output identification'
`OK | .| Output key'
`OL | - | Output label length'
`OO | .| Output options'
`OP |+ | Output P1 and P2'
`OS | - | Output status'
`OT | .| Output carousel type'
`OW | - | Output window'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`PA |+ | Plot absolute'
`PB |+ | Print buffered label'
`PC |+ | Pen Color'
`PD |+ | Pen down'
`PE |+ | Polyline Encoded'
`PG |+ | Page feed'
`PR |+ | Plot relative'
`PS |+ | Plot Size'
`PT |+ | Pen thickness'
`PU |+ | Pen up'
`PW |+ | Pen Width'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`QL | .| Quality Level'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`RA |+ | Fill rectangle absolute'
`RF | - | Raster Fill pattern'
`RO |+ | Rotate coordinate system'
`RP | - | Replot'
`RR |+ | Fill rectangle relative'
`RT |+ | Relative arc through Three points'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`SA |+ | Select alternate character set'
`SB | - | Scalable or Bitmap font selection'
`SC |+ | Scale'
`SD | - | Standard font attribute Definition'
`SI |+ | Absolute character size'
`SL |+ | Character slant'
`SM |+ | Symbol mode'
`SP |+ | Select pen'
`SR |+ | Relative character size'
`SS |+ | Select standard character set'
`ST | .| Sort vectors'
`SV | - | Screened Vectors'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`TD | - | Transparent Data'
`TL |+ | Tick length'
`TR | - | Transparency mode'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`UC |+ | User-defined character'
`UF | - | User-defined fill type'
`UL |+ | User-defined line type'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`VS | .| Velocity select'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`WD |+ | Write to display'
`WG |+ | Fill wedge'
`WU |+ | pen Width Unit'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`XT |+ | X-Tick'
`-----|---|--------------------------------------------------------'
`YT |+ | Y-Tick'
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Appendix B, Next: Appendix C, Prev: Appendix A, Up: Top
Option summary
**************
* Menu:
* General options::
* Size controls::
* Raster format controls::
* PCL specifics::
* Margins::
* Preview (DOS only)::
* Help::
In the following, options are grouped into subjects and are listed
alphabetically within each subject. Both long options and short
(one-letter) options are listed, where short options appear in
parentheses. Except for the +DPI option, there is a one-to-one
correspondence between long and short options. You may use either long
or short options. Mixing long and short options is acceptable.
Option parameter names suggest the expected data type, e. g.,
`--rotate (-r) FLOAT' means that option `--rotate' or its corresponding
short form `-r' expect a parameter of type `float'.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: General options, Next: Size controls, Up: Appendix B
General options
===============
`--pencolors (-c) STRING'
Pen color(s), a string of 1 to 8 digits. Valid digits: 0...7
(0=Background or off, 1=Foreground, 2=Red, 3=Green, 4=Blue,
5=Cyan, 6=Magenta, 7=Yellow). Default: `11111111'
`--outfile (-f) STRING'
Name of output file. If omitted, `hp2xx' generates the name from
the input file name and the current mode string. `-f-' causes
`hp2xx' to write to `stdout'. Default: none.
`--logfile (-l) STRING'
Name of log file. If given, diagnostics go into this file, else to
`stderr'. Remark: `-q' inhibits all diagnostics!
`--mode (-m) STRING'
Mode string. Valid: STRING =
`cad' (TeXcad-compatible line generation using `\special{em:...}'),
`em' (more efficient line drawing with E. Mattes's TeX `\special{em:...}'),
`eps' (Encapsulated PostScript),
`hpgl' (simplified HP-GL, useful for imports),
`img' (e.g., GEM's Image format),
`mf' (Metafont source),
`pbm' (Portable Bitmap (monochrome) or Portable Pixmap (color plots)),
`pcl' (HP-PCL Level 3),
`pcx' (Paintbrush format),
`png' (Portable Network Graphics format),
`pre' (Preview mode; no output!),
`rgip' (Uniplex RGIP vector format),
`tex' (line drawing with TeX / `epic' macros)
`fig' (for Brian Smith's XFIG vector drawing program)
`tiff' (TIFF tagged image file format)
`esc2' (Epson Stylus printers)
Occasionally available (unsupported) modes:
`ilbm' (e.g., for AMIGA: ILBM/IFF format),
`pac' (e.g., for ATARI/STAD),
`pic' (e.g., for ATARI/Signum).
Default: `pre'.
`--pensize (-p) STRING'
Pensize(s), a string of 1 to 8 digits. Valid digits: 0...9 (unit
= 1/10 mm) for vector modes, 0...4 (unit = pixel) for raster
modes. Default: `11111111'
`--pages (-P) INT[:[INT]]'
Select HP-GL page INT or a page range. Valid: INT integer and >=
0. Default: INT = 0 (all pages).
`--quiet (-q)'
Quiet mode (no diagnostic output).
`--rotation (-r) FLOAT'
Rotation angle [deg]. E.g., `-r90' gives landscape. Default: 0.0
`--swapfile (-s) STRING'
Name of swap file. Default: STRING = `hp2xx.swp'.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Size controls, Next: Raster format controls, Prev: General options, Up: Appendix B
Size controls
=============
`--aspectfactor (-a) FLOAT'
Aspect factor. Valid: FLOAT > 0.0. Use FLOAT > 1.0 for landscape
and FLOAT < 1.0 for portrait deformations. Default: FLOAT = 1.0
`--height (-h) FLOAT'
(Upper limit of) height of picture in mm. Default: FLOAT=200.0
`--width (-w) FLOAT'
(Upper limit of) width of picture in mm. Default: FLOAT=200.0
`--x0 (-x) FLOAT'
Pre-set left limit of HP-GL coordinate range to FLOAT (rarely
used).
`--x1 (-X) FLOAT'
Pre-set right limit of HP-GL coordinate range to FLOAT (rarely
used).
`--y0 (-y) FLOAT'
Pre-set lower limit of HP-GL coordinate range to FLOAT (rarely
used).
`--y1 (-Y) FLOAT'
Pre-set upper limit of HP-GL coordinate range to FLOAT (rarely
used).
`--truesize (-t)'
Ignore options `-a -h -w' (aspect factor, height, width). Size
information will come from the HP-GL intrinsic data. WARNING:
Avoid using option `-r' (rotate) as it works on top of HP-GL and
thus will distort the detected HP-GL sizes.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Raster format controls, Next: PCL specifics, Prev: Size controls, Up: Appendix B
Raster format controls
======================
`--DPI (-d) INT'
Set x resolution to INT dots per inch (DPI). If not overridden by
`-D', sets also y resolution to INT DPI. Valid: INT integer and >
0. Default: INT = 75.
`--DPI_x (-d) INT'
Same as `--DPI'
`--DPI_y (-D) INT'
Set y resolution to INT DPI. INT integer and > 0. Default: INT =
75.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: PCL specifics, Next: Margins, Prev: Raster format controls, Up: Appendix B
PCL specifics
=============
`--PCL_formfeed (-F)'
Send a FormFeed after graphics data. Default: No FormFeed.
`--PCL_init (-i)'
Pre-initialize printer. Default: No pre-init
`--PCL_Deskjet (-S) INT'
Use (Deskjet) Special commands. INT = 0 deactivates this option,
INT = 1 enables b/w mode, INT = 3 is intended for DJ500C (CMY)
color support, INT = 4 supports DJ550C (CMYK mode).
`--DPI_x (-d) INT'
Set x resolution (see above): Valid here: INT = 75, 100, 150, 300
`--DPI_y (-D) INT'
Set y resolution (see above). Invalid here!
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Margins, Next: Preview (DOS only), Prev: PCL specifics, Up: Appendix B
Margins
=======
(Apply to modes `eps', `pcl', `pre' ONLY)
`--center (-C)'
Center the picture within the frame defined by options `-w -h' by
adding to the left or upper margin. Null effect if the width/height
ratio of the picture matches that of options `-w -h'.
`--xoffset (-o) FLOAT'
X offset of picture (left margin) in mm. Valid: FLOAT >= 0.0,
default: FLOAT=0.0
`--yoffset (-O) FLOAT'
Y offset of picture (upper margin) in mm. Valid: FLOAT >= 0.0,
default: FLOAT=0.0
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Preview (DOS only), Next: Help, Prev: Margins, Up: Appendix B
Preview (DOS/PC's only)
=======================
`--VGAmodebyte (-V) INT'
VGA mode byte (decimal). Default: INT = 18. WARNING: Setting
inappropriate VGA modes may damage your hardware, especially your
monitor!
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Help, Prev: Preview (DOS only), Up: Appendix B
Help
====
`--help (-H)'
(or calling `hp2xx' without any arguments) Show on-line help.
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Appendix C, Prev: Appendix B, Up: Top
* Menu:
* Acknowledgement::
* Copyright note::
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Acknowledgement, Next: Copyright note, Up: Appendix C
Acknowledgement
===============
Since `hp2xx' first became publicly available (in its early days, as
binaries on several platforms), many people contributed to this project
by supplying first HWW and now MK with valuable suggestions, code
patches and reports. Many thanks to all of them! It is a pleasure to
especially thank the following people for their outstanding
contributions:
HWW's Versions up to 3.2.0 (mid-1994):
`Nelson Beebe'
Help with the new generic makefile (easier configuration); clean
selection mechanism for previewer suggested; suggestions for an
improved X.11 previewer
`Elisabeth Dregger-Cappel'
Network and host resources for original `hp2xx' distribution
`Joern Eggers'
New ATARI format "cs" for CS-TeX; bug fixes for arcs / circles
`Roland Emmerich'
DOS betatests and suggestions; `showit'
`R. Frahm'
PCX color improvements
`Jonathan M. Gillian'
DOS betatests and suggestions
`Gilles Gravier'
RGIP converter
`Thomas Hiller'
Code for EA support
`Claus H. Langhans'
AMIGA portation; pbm, ilbm formats
`Lawrence Lowe'
Many helpful suggestions and improvements, e.g. for pcl format
`Ian MacPhedran'
Color / binary format for pbm/ppm
`Norbert Meyer'
ATARI portation; img, pic, pac formats; first ATARI previewer
`Michael Schmitz'
Many VAX & MACH tests
`Michael Schoene'
X11 stuff; many tests
`Andreas Schwab'
Improved ATARI previewer
`Friedhelm Sowa'
Many DOS tests and suggestions for cooperation of `hp2xx' with TeX
figure generation
`Gerhard Steger'
Many VAX tests; VAX scripts; access to MicroVAX platforms
`Horst Szillat'
OS/2 support, OS/2 full-screen previewer & help
`Alois Treindl'
Code for UC support
`Versions since 3.3.0 (mid-1999):'
`Emmanuel Bigler'
xfig and gnuplot ascii support
`Ian MacPhedran'
XFig output
`Michael Schmitz'
PNG output
`Rolf Schreck'
PS/RO fixes
`Eugene Doudine'
PE command support
`Georgy Salnikov'
Improvements for character commands (LB,DI,DR)
`Michele Liberi'
TIFF output
`Lars Erikson'
EPS plotsize bug fixes
`Gerhard Buergmann'
bug fixes for plot scaling and PE support
`James Shaw'
polygon mode testing and examples, WinNT building instructions
`Andrew Bird'
enhanced PW support TIFF enhancements
File: hp2xx.info, Node: Copyright note, Prev: Acknowledgement, Up: Appendix C
Copyright notice
================
Copyright (c) 1998 - 2000 Martin Kroeker
Copyright (c) 1991 - 1994 Heinz W. Werntges
All rights reserved.
Redistribution and use in source and binary forms are permitted provided that
the above copyright notice and this paragraph are duplicated in all such forms
and that any documentation, advertising materials, and other materials related
to such distribution and use acknowledge that the software was developed
by the abovementioned author(s).
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED ``AS IS'' AND WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY AND FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Tag Table:
Node: Top1347
Node: Introduction1933
Node: Invoking hp2xx3017
Node: HP2XX for the impatient4041
Node: Basics6789
Node: Modes of hp2xx7748
Node: Sizing your output8211
Node: Pen sizes and colors10533
Node: Selecting a page (range)13074
Node: Vector formats14283
Node: Raster formats15360
Node: Printer formats16967
Node: Preview18900
Node: Misc. options21227
Node: Advanced subjects22689
Node: The coordinate range23297
Node: Fixed scaling25023
Node: Scaling to true size26696
Node: Swapping27867
Node: Dots and lines28570
Node: Unsupported formats30584
Node: TeX formats31534
Node: Installation and modification notes34930
Node: Installation procedure35302
Node: Installation of run-time versions35681
Node: Source-level installation36384
Node: Modules of hp2xx38374
Node: Future improvements40660
Node: Font coding41276
Node: Appendix A43915
Node: Appendix B52513
Node: General options53354
Node: Size controls55774
Node: Raster format controls56933
Node: PCL specifics57421
Node: Margins58093
Node: Preview (DOS only)58713
Node: Help59033
Node: Appendix C59204
Node: Acknowledgement59323
Node: Copyright note61770
End Tag Table