Metafile conversion programs which convert the LONGLIB metafile into an HPGL ( Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language) command data file are included in LONGLIB. Three programs are available, HPGL, HPGL2, and HPGLS.
HPGL reads the LONGLIB metafile, processes it into appropriate commands and sends the commands to the terminal printer port (either a VT100 or VT220 compatible terminal or a VT100 equipped with a Selanar GR100 graphics board) to which is connected an HPGL-compatible pen plotter. No ``stripping" of the image is done. The user is prompted for page changes. Pen changes on the plotter occur in response to a color change in the metafile. Line types are supported but line widths are ignored.
HPGL2 reads the LONGLIB metafile and produces a separate output file of HPGL commands for each page of LONGLIB metafile input. HPGL2 does not include "stripping" of the image. HPGL2 plots all of the vectors of a given color before changing pens. Line types are supported but line widths are ignored.
HPGLS is similar to HPGL2 but includes stripping of the image. HPGL2 produces a separate output file of HPGL commands for each strip and page of LONGLIB metafile input.
An example of the use of the HPGL2 program in the VAX environment
follows. The LONGLIB metafile input is FOR003.DAT
. The output
is a file, OUT.LIS which can then be sent to an HPGL-compatible plotter.
$ HPGL2 :== $LONGLOC:HPGL2
$ HPGL2 FOR003.dat ! run HPGL conversion program
! several out.lis files may be produced
$ print/que=HPGL out.lis;* ! send output file(s) to plotter