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Plot2EMF is a
utility for Microsoft Windows 9x/Me/NT/2000 that will convert
HP-GL and HP-GL/2 plot files (e.g. .PLT files generated by
AutoCAD) to a Windows Enhanced MetaFile format that can then
be copied or imported into various Windows-based applications.
Why
Plot2EMF?
Microsoft Office 4.x included a HP-GL import filter, but for
some reason, this was not distributed with the 32-bit
Microsoft Office releases. However, there is still a need to
import HP-GL files into various Windows applications, so
Plot2EMF (Plot to Enhanced MetaFile) was developed to fill
this need.
What is an
Enhanced MetaFile?
A MetaFile is defined as "A collection of structures that
stores a picture in a device-independent format." (From the
Microsoft Win32 Software Development Kit helpfile). The
Windows MetaFile format (.WMF files) was introduced with
Windows 3.x, and was enhanced (.EMF files) for use with
Windows 9x and Windows NT 4.x.
Because the metafile contains a list of drawing commands, and
not the drawing itself, metafiles can be scaled much easier
than pictures (bitmaps).
Using
Plot2EMF:
How to
Associate Plot2EMF with HPGL files
It is recommended to associate Plot2EMF.EXE with HP-GL files,
so that a double-click on a .PLT file will automatically start
Plot2EMF.EXE. To do this,
- Start
Plot2EMF.exe
- Select the
"Preferences..." item from the "File" menu
- Select the
file extensions to associate with Plot2EMF
- Press OK
to save the new association(s)
Command
Line Parameters
Plot2EMF
supports several command line parameters to modify the default
configuration. For example, /A1 instructs Plot2EMF to assume a
page size of DIN A1 instead of the default DIN A4. All command
line options can be configured when Plot2EMF is running,
either through the Edit|Options... or File|Open HPGL
Special... menu commands.
Starting Plot2EMF with a filename parameter (e.g.
double-clicking a .PLT file) will start Plot2EMF and
automatically convert the selected file.
Plot2EMF can also be started without any parameters, and will
then prompt you to select the file to be converted. Files may
also be converted by dragging them from the Explorer window
onto the Plot2EMF window. |
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