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U n P l o t
----------------------------------------------------------------
Mountain Software
Autodesk Registered Application Developer
Novell Professional Developer
Version 1.2
February 17, 1994
_______
____|__ | (R)
--| | |-------------------
| ____|__ | Association of
| | |_| Shareware
|__| o | Professionals
-----| | |---------------------
|___|___| MEMBER
Jerry Workman, P.E.
1579 Nottingham Road
Charleston, WV 25314
CIS 70717,3564
Internet 70717.3564@compuserve.com
Orders: 1-800-2424-PsL
Tech Support / Info: 304-346-9585
FAX 304-744-1785
Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Introducing UnPlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Uses for UnPlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Installing from the Diskette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Distribution Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Loading unplot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Running UnPlot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Filename . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Layers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Plot Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
HPGL Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Jiggle Parameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Slop Parameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Laserjet PCL Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Default Style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Starting and Ending Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Line Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Multiple Page Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Raster Mode Toggle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Raster Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Overwrite / Replace Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Solid Threshold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Transparent Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Configuring AutoCAD for an HPGL Plotter . . . . . . . . . . 8
Creating a HPGL Plot File for UnPlot . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Importing Microsoft Windows Documents . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Configuring Windows for the HPGL Plotter . . . . . . . . . . 9
Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Suggestions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Shareware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Registration Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Definition of Shareware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Disclaimer - Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Introduction
==============================
Introducing UnPlot
------------------------------
UnPlot imports HPGL or HPGL/2 plot files or HP Laserjet PCL files
into AutoCAD drawings as true drawing entities. UnPlot will also
randomize line endpoints and zigzag long line segments to produce
a hand sketched effect. UnPlot is an AutoCAD ADS application that
works with both DOS and Windows versions of AutoCAD release 12.
Uses for UnPlot
------------------------------
* Import word processor documents into AutoCAD
* Import graphics from third party programs that can output to
a HPGL plot file.
* Import documents from Microsoft Windows applications. (You
must plot to the HPGL printer first).
* "Flatten" 3D AutoCAD entities or views (e.g. for balloons)
* Produce a "hand drawn" look drawing from a plot
* Explode fonts and shapes to their individual line elements
* Recover lost drawings where only the plot file remains
* Change a plot without changing the source drawing
* Change pen and plot settings for selected areas
* Add special effects
* Verify the content and plot order of a plot file.
Installation
==============================
The files are archived into compressed format on the install
diskette (or ZIP archive). You can use PKUNZIP to extract the
files to any directory on your hard drive, or use the install
program on the install diskette.
Installing from the Diskette
------------------------------
Place the diskette in any floppy drive, make that drive current,
and enter INSTALL to run the install program. There are further
instructions and program descriptions on the install diskette.
Select UnPlot from the install menu and enter the source (floppy
drive) and destination drive and subdirectory. The program will
extract the files to your hard drive.
Distribution Files
------------------------------
A description of the files that are included are as follows:
unplot.exp DOS executable file
unplot.exe Microsoft Windows executable file
unplot Sun executable file
unplot.dcl dialog control file
unplot.hlp help file
unplot.doc online documentation
!read.me! last minute changes
file_id.diz BBS description
order.doc order form
(there may be additional files)
Loading unplot
------------------------------
First start AutoCAD and from the AutoCAD Command prompt, enter
(XLOAD"C:\\UNPLOT\\UNPLOT"). Substitute the subdirectory where
you installed UnPlot. You can also use the AutoCAD command
"APPLOAD" to load UnPlot or add UNPLOT to your ACAD.ADS file.
Running UnPlot
==============================
Enter "UNPLOT" from the Command prompt and the UnPlot dialog will
display. The prompts and buttons are described in the following
paragraphs:
Filename
------------------------------
Enter the filename of a HPGL file, or select the File Button to
invoke the file dialog box. The "PLT" file extension is assumed,
but the file can have any extension.
Layers
------------------------------
UnPlot places PCL files on the current layer. HPGL entities on
layers that correspond with the pen number from the plot file.
Lines drawn with pen 1 are placed on layer "PEN_1", pen 2:
"LAYER_2, etc. If the layer does not exist it will be created and
the layer color will be set to the AutoCAD color number
corresponding to the pen number (e.g. layer PEN_1 = color 1 red)
Plot Scale
------------------------------
Enter a value that corresponds to the original plot scale in the
form "drawing units" = "plotter units". If you are not sure of
the plot scale first insert the plot using 1=1 and determine the
scale using the AutoCAD commands DIST and ID. Then re-scale the
entities, or undo the entities and UnPlot again using the correct
scale.
HPGL Settings
==============================
Jiggle Parameter
------------------------------
Enter a value in drawing units that determines the maximum length
of the segments that long lines will be randomly broken up and
"zigzagged". The resulting segments will be moved randomly up to
the value of the slop parameter.
For instance, if you specify a Jiggle of 0.5 and a slop of 0.1
then a 10.0 unit ling line will be broken into up to 20 segments.
The segments will wander up to 0.1 units from the location of the
original line.
Slop Parameter
------------------------------
Enter a value that determines the maximum distance by which the
endpoints of lines are randomly moved from their original
location. Line endpoints will be moved a distance varying
randomly between 0 and this value in both the X and Y planes.
Laserjet PCL Settings
==============================
UnPlot Documentation page 6
=================================================================
Default Style
------------------------------
Enter the ".shx" file to use for the default PCL text style.
The default text.shx is used by AutoCAD for the STANDARD text
style. The default style created by UnPlot is named COURIER.
Starting and Ending Page
------------------------------
Enter the first and last page numbers that you wish to import
from multiple page Laserjet PCL print files.
Line Width
------------------------------
Enter the minimum width at which solid entities should be used
for rules and raster dots. Line entities will be used for
entities with a width less than this value.
For example, if you wish to have rules with a width less that 0.1
drawing units to appear as an AutoCAD line entity then enter
that value. Or to show raster graphics as solid entities enter a
value less than the raster resolution. (300 dpi = 0.0033 inches
at 1=1 scale)
Multiple Page Layout
------------------------------
Select horizontal to place multiple pages in a row or vertical to
stack the paged vertically
Raster Mode Toggle
------------------------------
When checked PCL raster graphics will be imported, when off a
rectangle will be drawn in place of the graphic.
Raster Graphics
------------------------------
UnPlot can import many (but not all) raster graphics from a
Laserjet PCL file. It has great difficulty with full page
graphics and does not currently support some PCL encoding schemes
(adaptive compression). It will currently handle files
containing Unencoded, RLL, Delta, and TIFF data.
UnPlot Documentation page 7
=================================================================
Tips:
* Use raster graphics sparingly.
* Rules (lines), Boxes and Fills work well.
* Avoid printing in graphics mode. You can not edit Raster
graphics in AutoCAD.
* When printing from Microsoft Windows use a printer font,
many Windows fonts print graphically and can not be edited.
Overwrite / Replace Styles
------------------------------
When this toggle is checked, existing AutoCAD text styles with
the same name as an UnPlot style will be replaced. The styles and
shape files used by UnPlot are as follows:
Style Name Shape File comments
HPGL_TEXT monotxt.shx Used for all HPGL text
COURIER txt.shx PCL default font
COURIER_BOLD romand.shx
COURIER_ITALIC italicc.shx
HELVETIA romans.shx
HELVETIA_BOLD romand.shx
HELVETIA_ITALIC italicc.shx
TIMES_ROMAN romanc.shx
TIMES_ROMAN_BOLD romant.shx
TIMES_ROMAN_ITALIC italicc.shx
LETTERGOTHIC gothice.shx
LETTERGOTHIC_BOLD gothice.shx
LETTERGOTHIC_ITALIC gothice.shx
SCRIPT scripts.shx
SCRIPT_BOLD scriptc.shx
SCRIPT_ITALIC scriptc.shx
Solid Threshold
------------------------------
Enter the percentage fill threshold value for solid fills. Area
fills less than this value will use hatching, otherwise AutoCAD
solid entities will be created.
Set this value to 0 for all solids, or 100 for all hatching. High
percentage hatching appears as a solid but is slower and creates
a larger drawing file compared to solids.
Transparent Color
------------------------------
Enter the AutoCAD color number for the PCL transparent pen. This
is white (or the paper color) on a printer. The default is color
8 (grey), you can enter 256 to specify BYLAYER as the color.
Configuration
==============================
Configuring AutoCAD for an HPGL Plotter
------------------------------
CONFIG <== enter CONFIG command
5 <== Configure Plotter
1 <== Add a Plotter
5 <== Select Hewlett Packard (HPGL) ...
3 <== Model 7475 (some other models work also)
Select the defaults for the remaining options and name the
plotter definition. Select Yes to save the configuration changes.
Creating a HPGL Plot File for UnPlot
------------------------------
From the AutoCAD Command prompt enter PLOT to start the plot
dialogue.
Select the HPGL plotter that you created earlier
Select plot to a file
Enter a plot file name
Select the other plot parameters (scale, etc) as required
Select OK to create the plot file.
Importing Microsoft Windows Documents
------------------------------
You can use UnPlot to import Microsoft Windows documents into
AutoCAD either as Laserjet PCL files or HPGL files. Microsoft
provides an HPGL plotter driver (usually on disk #6). You can use
the Windows control panel to install the HPGL plotter driver and
then print from your application to the HPGL plotter device as a
PLT file.
You can then load AutoCAD and use UnPlot to import this HPGL plot
file into AutoCAD.
UnPlot Documentation page 9
=================================================================
Configuring Windows for the HPGL Plotter
------------------------------
Start Windows
Select the Control Panel
Select Printers
Select Add >>
Select HP 7475A [HP Plotter] from the list of printers
Select Setup
Select Device from the menu
7475A
Draft checkbox Off
Save checkbox On
Select OK
Select Connect from the menu
Select File
Select Close
To print to the HPGL plotter, select Print setup from the File
menu in your application and select the HPGL plotter, then enter
the filename for the plot file. Your Windows application will now
send the printer output to the HPGL plot file. You can re-select
your printer later to resume printing to your printer.
Limitations
------------------------------
UnPlot supports the following file formats:
Language Support Level
HPGL (nearly) complete
HPGL/2 approximately 90% of commands implemented
PCL 1 (nearly) complete, raster graphics limited to
Unencoded, RLE(run length encoded), Delta, and TIFF.
PCL 2 (nearly) complete
PCL 3 (nearly) complete, soft fonts not supported
PCL 4 (nearly) complete
PCL 5 (PCL 5 includes HPGL/2) limited font support, Adaptive
compression graphics not supported
UnPlot does not recognize complex AutoCAD entities or text
plotted as line segments. These structures will appear normal but
will be composed of primitive line and arc segments. The quality
of the imported entities is highly dependant on the program that
created the plot/print file.
UnPlot Documentation page 10
=================================================================
Suggestions
------------------------------
When printing or plotting to create a file for import using
UnPlot:
Laserjet PCL
* Select a printer font instead of a downloaded or graphic
font
* Do not print in graphic mode
* Don't use kerning
* Limit the size of raster graphics
HPGL or HPGL/2
* Use the default font
* In Microsoft Windows use a printer font.
* Use pen settings that match AutoCAD colors
* Use the HPGL/2 if available
License
==============================
Shareware
------------------------------
This version of UnPlot is NOT public domain or free software, but
is being distributed as "shareware". You may try it out to see if
it is useful for you. If you wish to continue to use UnPlot you
must register. Registered users are provided with a password to
remove the opening delay and with support for one year.
The program in the form of the original archived file only may be
freely distributed, but not sold (except under license, or for a
nominal copying or disk fee).
Non-registered users of this software are granted a limited 30
day license to make an evaluation copy for trial use for the
purpose of determining whether UnPlot is suitable for their
needs. At the end of this trial period, you may either register
your copy, or discontinue using UnPlot.
All users are granted a limited license to copy UnPlot only for
the trial use of others and subject to the above limitations.
This license does NOT include distribution or copying of this
software for use:
1. In connection with any other product or service.
2. For general use within a company or institution.
3. For distribution in modified form; i.e., the file containing
this license information MUST be included, along with the
full UnPlot documentation.
Operators of electronic bulletin board systems (Sysops) are
encouraged to post UnPlotxx.ZIP for downloading by their users,
as long as these conditions are met.
Registration Information
------------------------------
A UnPlot registration licenses you to use the product on a
regular basis. Individual license cost for UnPlot is $50
including a diskette with the latest version of UnPlot and the
printed manual. Registration also entitles you to telephone
support and notification of updates and new products. Print file
ORDER.DOC and mail or FAX the form to the address above. You can
also place an order by telephone or through Compuserve (GO
SWREG).
Educational institutions, full-time students and BBS sysops can
apply a 50% discount. PLEASE include your educational institution
letterhead (with your title), or a photocopy of your most recent
registration slip, or the name and number of your BBS.
UnPlot Documentation page 12
=================================================================
Definition of Shareware
------------------------------
Shareware distribution gives users a chance to try software
before buying it. If you try a Shareware program and continue
using it, you are expected to register. Individual programs
differ on details -- some request registration while others
require it, some specify a maximum trial period. With
registration, you get anything from the simple right to continue
using the software to an updated program with printed manual.
Copyright laws apply to both Shareware and commercial software,
and the copyright holder retains all rights, with a few specific
exceptions as stated below. Shareware authors are accomplished
programmers, just like commercial authors, and the programs are
of comparable quality. (In both cases, there are good programs
and bad ones!) The main difference is in the method of
distribution. The author specifically grants the right to copy
and distribute the software, either to all and sundry or to a
specific group. For example, some authors require written
permission before a commercial disk vendor may copy their
Shareware.
Shareware is a distribution method, not a type of software. You
should find software that suits your needs and pocketbook,
whether it's commercial or Shareware. The Shareware system makes
fitting your needs easier, because you can try before you buy.
And because the overhead is low, prices are low also. Shareware
has the ultimate money-back guarantee -- if you don't use the
product, you don't pay for it.
Disclaimer - Agreement
------------------------------
Users of UnPlot must accept this disclaimer of warranty: "UnPlot
is supplied as is. The author disclaims all warranties,
expressed or implied, including, without limitation, the
warranties of merchantability and of fitness for any purpose. The
author assumes no liability for damages, direct or consequential,
which may result from the use of UnPlot."
UnPlot is a "shareware program" and is provided at no charge to
the user for evaluation. Feel free to share it with your
friends, but please do not give it away altered or as part of
another system. The essence of "user-supported" software is to
provide personal computer users with quality software without
high prices, and yet to provide incentive for programmers to
continue to develop new products. If you find this program
useful and find that you are using UnPlot and continue to use
UnPlot after a reasonable trial period, you must make a
registration payment of $50 to Mountain Software. The $50
registration fee will license one copy for use on any one
UnPlot Documentation page 13
=================================================================
computer at any one time. You must treat this software just like
a book. An example is that this software may be used by any
number of people and may be freely moved from one computer
location to another, so long as there is no possibility of it
being used at one location while it's being used at another. Just
as a book cannot be read by two different persons at the same
time.
Commercial users of UnPlot must register and pay for their copies
of UnPlot within 30 days of first use or their license is
withdrawn. Site-License arrangements may be made by contacting
Mountain Software.
Anyone distributing UnPlot for any kind of remuneration must
first contact Mountain Software at the address below for
authorization. This authorization will be automatically granted
to distributors recognized by the (ASP) as adhering to its
guidelines for shareware distributors, and such distributors may
begin offering UnPlot immediately (However Mountain Software must
still be advised so that the distributor can be kept up-to-date
with the latest version of UnPlot.).
You are encouraged to pass a copy of UnPlot along to your friends
for evaluation. You may not, however, copy the registered
password file. Please encourage them to register their copy if
they find that they can use it.
Jerry Workman a member of the Association of Shareware
Professionals (ASP). ASP wants to make sure that the shareware
principle works for you. If you are unable to resolve a
shareware-related problem with an ASP member by contacting the
member directly, ASP may be able to help. The ASP Ombudsman can
help you resolve a dispute or problem with an ASP member, but
does not provide technical support for members' products. Please
write to the ASP Ombudsman at 545 Grover Road, Muskegon MI 49442,
or send a message via Compuserve mail to ASP Ombudsman 70007,3536
Index
==============================
ACAD.ADS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
ADS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 4
ASP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
AutoCAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 8
Compuserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 11, 13
dialogue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8, 11, 12
DOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 4
file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11, 13
filename . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4, 9
font . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7, 9, 10
HPGL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5, 7-10
HPGL/2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 9, 10
install . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 4, 8
layer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
license . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11-13
PCL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 5-10
RLL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 6, 8
shareware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1, 11-13
style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 7
subdirectory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 7, 9
TIFF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 9
Undo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
XLOAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
ZIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3, 11