HPGL or PLT Creator

[tburkard]

I have just started looking into the building of a CNC Router. I purchased a few steppers and the Routout software and drivers. It requires HPGL, PLT, or DXF file formats. I have Auto Cad so I can create the DXF just fine from there but I was wondering if anyone knows how to create the HPGL or PLT files from MS Word, Sierra's Print Artist, or Printmaster Gold.

I know Corel Draw does it but I am looking for a cheaper alternative to start.

Thanks,
NEWBE

[ger21]

There are a few copies of CorelDraw 12 on Ebay for about $70.

To save as HPGL files, from any program, do this.

Go to Windows Printers, and Add Printer. When it asks to choose a printer, pick HP as the manufacturer, and the first one in the list should Hewlett-Packard HP-GL/2 Plotter.
Install the printer, make sure it's not the default printer, and don't print a test page.

Now whenever you print, choose this printer, and check the box that says "print to file". You'll probably have to change the file extension. To do this, type in the entire file name when saving, including the extension (.hpg), and put the name in quotes, like "test.hpg". This will save it with the correct extension.

If your not using vector clipart, be prepared for some very large files. HPGL is a pen plotter format, so any shaded areas are "colored in" completely with pen strokes, which become toolpaths. I tried this in Word, with a simple bit of Wordart, converted the HPGL in Mach3, and got a 78MB g-code file.

[tburkard]

I installed the printer driver and printed to the file but Routout don't recognize it so I guess I will have to brake down and find a copy of corel to try unless anyone has any other ideas.

Todd