Learning HP-GL/2

Read through this chapter and Chapter 18 for a general overview of the HP-GL/2 language and its relationship to the PCL printer language. Then, flip through the other HP-GL/2 chapters until you see an example that interests you or fits your objective. Read through the examples and try printing them using your choice of programming languages. If you need help converting the generic commands shown in the examples to a programming language, see “Using HP-GL/2 with Programming Languages” later in this chapter.

As you see unfamiliar commands, find the page number of the command description in the index and read about the command. Think of an application that you would like to program and then look for an example that uses some of the elements you desire. After trying some examples and seeing how the commands interact, you should be well on your way to learning the HP-GL/2 language.

This chapter describes the interaction between the PCL printer language and HP-GL/2 modes and introduces the following topics:

zHP-GL/2 Commands and Syntax

zUsing HP-GL/2 with Programming Languages

zThe HP-GL/2 Coordinate System

zHP-GL/2 and PCL Orientation Interactions

zThe Vector Graphics Limits

zUnits of Measure

zPen Status and Location

zDefining the Image Area (PCL Picture Frame)

zScaling

zAutomatically Adjusting Image Size

zAbsolute and Relative Pen Movement

Chapter 18 covers more HP-GL/2 fundamentals, and Chapters 19 through 23 discuss HP-GL/2 commands and their syntax.

17-2An Introduction to HP-GL/2 Vector Graphics

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HP 5961-0509 manual Learning HP-GL/2