This HP describes PloCon which continuously prints drawings of various
graphic files shown below on a Windows printer.
HP-GL, HP-GL/2, HP RTL, PDF, DXF, DWG, GERBER, NC-Drill, IGES, SXF, TIFF,
JPEG, BITMAP, EMF, PCX, FPX, PNG, GIF
PloCon is a program that continuously prints the drawing of HPGL / vector / image file to Windows printer and has the following functions. It does not display.
(1) Paper and output scale
- Specify paper and automatically scaled to fit paper size
- Specify paper and output on designated scale
- Automatic paper selection with specified scale
Automatic selection of the optimum paper and orientation of the printer
that matches the drawing size scaled in the drawing area
(2) Interactive output / printing from other applications
(3) Line color, width change, whole drawing black and white / color switching,
pen ON / OFF
(4) Vector font of character font / True type font switching
(5) Multi-page support
(6) Reading of many file formats as shown below.
HP-GL, HP-GL/2, HP RTL, EMF, PDF, DXF, DWG, GERBER, NC-drill,
IGES, SXF,
EMF, TIFF, JPEG, Bitmap, PCX, FPX, GIF, PNG
Note: It is necessary to install "ODA Converter"
free software
for input of DWG file.
(7) Output mode
Mode 1: Automatic output mode
PloCon monitors the specified input folder, prints when the input file
enters the input folder, and the input file is automatically deleted after
printing. If there is no input file, it waits until the file arrives.
Mode 2 : Continuation output mode
Plural drawing files described in specified output list file are outputted continuously.
Mode 3 : Step output mode
One file in plural drawing files described in specified output list file
is outputted, and it waits for the next output instruction.
<AutoOut use example>
Step-1
Immediately after installing PloCon (initial setting), make the following
settings.
Start PloCon and press the "Select Printer" button to set the output destination printer.
Click the "Auto" button and correct the red part of "Output
Drawing File Name at Auto Output" as follows.
Before: <PloConData>\InData\*.Hgl
After: <PloConData>\InData\*. *
However, <PloConData> is the following folder.
Please change <username> to your Windows account name.
F C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Isoplotec
Step-2
Start PloCon and press the "AutoOut" button.
Step-3
Copy the input file(press the "FileAttribute" button and register
the file extension) you want to print in Explorer to the <PloConData>\InData folder. Then, after waiting for about 2 minutes, it will be automatically
output to the printer. Every time you copy any file with Explorer, it will
be output to the printer. The copied file will be deleted automatically
after output.
<Example of parameter starting use>
Input file to output by Explorer is dragged to next.
32BitOS:
C:\Program Files\Isoplotec\PloCon\PloCon.exe
64BitOS:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Isoplotec\PloCon\PloCon.exe
Then, it is outputted to printer.
PloCon can read HP-GL, HP-GL/2, HP RTL, PDF, DXF, DWG, GERBER, NC-Drill,
IGES,
SXF, EMF, Bitmap, PCX, TIFF, JPEG,FPX, PNG file.
Please refer to "Drawing
area when reading file of PloView series product" for drawing area(area
displayed when issuing display all command) of the opened file.
PloCon starting command is as follows.
[ ] is omissible.
<Program Files> indicates the following.
32 Bit OS: C:\Program Files
64 Bit OS: C:\Program Files (x86)
"<Program Files>\Isoplotec\PloCon\PloCon.exe" /a [Output
File Name]
If /a is attached, it will become automatic output mode simultaneously with starting.This will become output file if option of OutFile is attached at this time. If not attached, output file used for last time is used.
[Output File Name] accepts wild card.The same drawing file as [Output File Name] is looked for, if it is, it will output, and drawing file after output is deleted automatically.
When there is no drawing file, it waits until file comes.
"<Program Files>\Isoplotec\PloCon\PloCon.exe" /b [Output File Name]
If /b is attached, except that program will go into taskbar and dialog will not be displayed, the same operation as /a is carried out.
"<Program Files>\Isoplotec\PloCon\PloCon.exe" /c [OutList
File Name]
If /c is attached, it will become continuation output mode simultaneously with starting.
If option of OutList File is attached, and this becomes output list file and does not attach at this time, output list file used for last time is used.
Plural drawing files described in output list file are outputted continuously.
"<Program Files>\Isoplotec\PloCon\PloCon.exe" /d [OutList
File Name]
If /d is attached, except that program will go into taskbar and dialog will not be displayed, the same operation as /c is carried out.
<Program Files>\Isoplotec\PloCon\PloCon.exe [/wpWP] [/osOS] [/rxRX]
[/ryRY] [/suSU] [/sdSD] [/srSR] [/slSL] [/dcDC] [/apAP] [/ncNC] [/oaOA]
[Output File Name]
If parameter is specified here, various items will be set up. As for omitted parameter, parameter when ending to last time is set.
WP is output device, 1 is specified at the time of Windows printer 1, and
2 is specified at the time of Windows printer 2.
OS specifies positive real number with output scale.
However, it will become automatic scale if it is turned 0.
RX specifies positive real number by RiviseXScale.
RY specifies positive real number by RiviseYScale.
SU specifies zero or more integers by Upper PaperSpace (unit mm).
SD specifies zero or more integers by Down PaperSpace (unit mm).
SR specifies zero or more integers by Right PaperSpace (unit mm).
SL specifies zero or more integers by Left PaperSpace (unit mm).
DC Specify 1 to place the drawing in the center, 0 if not.
AP Specify 1 for automatic paper selection (A4 / A3 / A2 / A1 / A0,
portrait / landscape), or 0 otherwise.
NC specifies an integer of 1 or more in the number of output copies.
OA shows OutAngle. In the case of 0 degree 0 is specified, and, in the
case of 90 degrees, 1 is specified.
Output File Name:
When specifying it, specify it at the very end.
If specified, it will output and PloCon will be ended.
If it is not specified, the PloCon main dialog will be displayed
and you
can output by interactive operation.
Please do not start the next PloCon, before PloCon is completed.
Usually, although outputed with color of pen and line width in drawing
data, it is changeable with setup of pen.
When drawing with the same color as the background color, change
the color
If you draw with the pen with the same color as the background color, the picture disappears. If this check mark is checked, if the background color and the drawing pen are black, draw the drawing pen in white and draw it. If the background color and drawing pencil are other than black, draw the drawing pen black and draw it.
We recommend checking ON if the input file is DXF and IGES file, and check OFF if input file is GEBER file.
Please refer to "Problem about color, and solution".
Line and fill DrawMode
"Copy" : When you want
to see with a draft precedence
"Merge" : When you want
to see overlapping parts in color mixture
"Xor" : To make
it invisible where the figure is doubled
"Command in data": When displaying according to instructions
of drawing data
Foreground color setting
Priority 1: Black / white mode is set by setting to monochrome display
mode.
Priority 2: It becomes the color of PC instruction of drawing data.
If there is no PC instruction
in the drawing data, priority 3
is applied.
Priority 3: The color will be set for each pen.
Line width setting
Priority 1: When set to "All pan line width is same 16th pen",
it will
be displayed with line
width of 16th pen.
Priority 2: It becomes the line width of the PW command of the drawing
data.
If there is no PW command
in the drawing data, priority 3
is applied.
Priority 3: Pen width set for each pen (0 to 10.00 mm).
Windows font and Vector font can be
selected.
You can change the size to the character size of the data.
* Vector Font
The character shape is drawn with polygonal lines with a fixed line width,
which is quite different from the Windows TrueType font. In general, Vector
fonts display faster than Windows TrueType fonts. * Windows Font
Displayed with
the selected Windows TrueType font.
* Windows Font Closed Line Character
Displays the selected Windows TrueType font as a closed-line
character without filling it. Use it when you want to draw characters cut with a
cutting plotter.
You can select the unit system of coordinates and dimensions to use from the following.
* Millimeter mm
* Centimeter cm
* Meter m
* Inch in
* Foot ft
* Yard yd
If SetAuto button is pushed, an automatic execution parameter can be set up.
Outlist File Name at ContinueOut, StepOut
Outputs the drawing file described in this file during continuous or intermittent
output mode. A list of drawing file names is displayed in "Output
list file contents".
Output Drawing File Name at Auto Output
In automatic output mode, it searches for files matching this output file
name and outputs automatically.
Wait Time of AutoOutput
It is the interval to go to see if the output drawing file data was created
in the folder.
The Printer button is pushed and printing conditions are set.
The paper size displayed in this Dialog is a temporary value because the
file has not been read yet. When outputting with the ContinueOut button,
the numerical value corresponding to the loaded file is displayed.
AutoScale
When this check mark is attached, the scale is automatically set so that
the drawing area fills the paper area excluding the paper margin. At this
time, "OutScale" can not be set.
OutScale
Specify the output magnification within the range of 0.01 to 100.0.
AutoSelectPaper(Size, Portrait/Landscape)
Specify the paper standard loaded in the printer in "Paper standard" from the following.
ISO A0 to A4
ISO B0 to B5
JIS B0 to B5
ANSI A to E
ARCH A to E, E1
This function is valid when "AutoScale" is not checked, and the
paper size according to the output drawing size is automatically determined
from the standard paper size, and the paper orientation is automatically
determined from the portrait and landscape. The order of paper selection
is as follows.
For ISO A series:
A4 portrait → A4 landscape → A3 landscape → A3 portrait → A2 landscape
→ A2 portrait → A1 landscape → A1 portrait → A0 landscape → A0 portrait
If it is larger than this, A0 landscape
If the printer does not support the paper size, if the printer can not change the paper orientation, do not select its size or direction. When the output drawing size exceeds the maximum paper size that can be selected, select the maximum paper and automatically adjust the output scale so that the drawing size matches that paper size.
It is necessary to set up extension of file name by file attribute beforehand for every kind of file to read.
However, when file extension uses many extension which cannot be specified like consecutive numbers, and layer number of CAD, it becomes serious work to change extension manually beforehand.
In such a case, please use this program called FileTypeChgE recommended
to below.
1. Program name : FileTypeChgE
2. Licensing : fee No charge (free software)
3. Outline
Move extension of all file in folder to file name end, and apply the specified extension.
4. Usage
4.1. Interactive method
Double-click FileTypeChgE.exe in Explorer.
Set parameter shown below and push the Execute button.
a. Folder in which file exists :
Set folder including file which changes extension.
b. Extension after change ("." is not required):
All the files are changed into extension set here.
c. File name which saves processing result file list :
Set file name of text file which puts in processed file name
list.
When this item is set un-typing, this file will not create.
d. Extension before change ("." is not required):
The file that matches the extension specified here will be
changed.
If you set it to "*", all the files in the folder
specified in item a will be changed.
4.2. Command line method
When the next command is typed in command prompt (DOS window) of Windows,
it will execute immediately and will end. /a, /b, /c, and /d parameter
are omissible. An omission will use parameter used last time. And when
all the parameters are omitted, it will start by interactive method.
FileTypeChg.exe /a "Folder in which file exists"
/b "Extension after change"
/c "File name
which saves processing result file list"
/d "Extension
before change"
This method is automatable by including in batch file.
For example, create batch file PloCon.bat the next contents were described to be.
When PloCon.bat is double-clicked by Explorer, extension of all the files
in "C:\HpglData" folder will be changed into "hgl", and PloCon starts, and carry
out consecutive output of all the files.
Personal computer of Intel compatible CPU
mounting
- Memory: 1 GB or more
-
Empty capacity of hard disk drive: 100 MB or more
- Screen resolution: 1024
dots x 768 dots Above
- OS: Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11 32Bit, 64Bit
- It is necessary to
install some printer drivers.
Printer driver of high resolution is required to read PDF file.
- Free software "ODA File Converter" must be installed for input/output of DWG files.
1. Trial
Please download product from this HP. Since product is compressed into ZIP file, please extract it with suitable thawing software. There is a file called Readme.txt in the decompressed file, so read the product overview, installation method, uninstallation method, license agreement, licensing fee, license cancellation, protection release, inquiries, and version upgrade history. And since a file called Setup.exe is in extracted inside, it is installable if it double-clicks by Explorer. Opening to the public on HP serves both as trial and object for formal. All the function usage can be carried out free for 30 days from installation for trial. If 30 day will pass and password will not be entered, protection starts and product stops working. Please order the formal version, when you use more.
2. Order of formal version
It can pay with PayPal or credit card with the next button.
Please refer to Readme.txt file to carry out bank transfer.
Please send the next "order sheet" to e-mail address described at the last of this HP.
Order sheet
1. Soft name: PloCon (English)
2. Soft version no.: 11.0
3. Order quantity: 1
4. Company name:
5. Offer person name:
6. Offer person E-mail ID:
7. Charge payment day:
8. Charge payment amount:
3.Sending of password
The copyright holder will email the password when payment of the licensing
fee has been confirmed.
4.Release of lock
In order to enter password, when starting PloCon.exe, it is necessary to
carry out mouse right-click, to take out pop up menu, and to select "Run
as administrator". Execute PloCon and push 'InfVersion' button and
input the password.
5.OS exchange, or exchange of installation personal computer
Even if you replace exchange of OS, or installation personal computer, given
password can release lock.
However, at the same time the number of units that can install the product on the PC is within the number you ordered.
6. Revision up (upgrading the decimal point of version number to 2nd place)
Revision up is free. Please download the revision software newer than HP
and reinstall it. The previous password is valid.
Ver.10.00 March 2, 2015
(1) It corresponded to input of DWG file.
Notes: It is necessary to install free software "Teigha File Converter."
Refer to Step7 of 2nd clause for the installation method.
(2) Support the 2nd level of JIS kanji by vector font.
Ver.10.00 March 31, 2015
(3) Font of vector font JIS level-2 kanji set was improved.
Ver.10.01 July 19, 2015
(1) It supported to input of SXF file (file extension is P21 and SFC).
(2) Add Multi-page file correspondence ("Separate into page and print",
or "Print all the pages in piles") with the SetPrinter button.
Ver.10.01 July 25, 2015
(3) It repaired that vertical writing text had fault by SXF file input.
(4) Processing of DV (text route) command except right writing was repaired. Ver.10.01 August 12, 2015
(5) Since it outputted and the file could not be deleted after output when
drawing file was creating from other applications at the time of auto-output,
there happened case where the same file was outputted repeatedly. It improved
so that it might output, after waiting for other applications to complete
creation of drawing file.
(6) Some of faults were repaired by SXF file input. Ver.10.01 September 15, 2015
(7) It supported to Windows10. Ver.10.01 November 17, 2015
(8) Abnormality display has been improved for arc of very small angle. Ver.10.01 November 20, 2015
(9) It enabled it to set up judgment angle of very small arc or circle
by "SetFileAttribute"-"Circle and arc judging angle". Ver.10.01 April 7, 2016
(10) When PDF and EMF file were outputted by auto-output and it became
error, problem by which the error is not displayed on error information
window, and error is repeated endlessly was repaired. Ver.10.01 July 25, 2016
(11) Defect of LA (line attribute) command in case line end and joint shape
are except being round was repaired.
(12) "Initial of Line End Shape" of "Set-Line property"
dialog was changed into "Shape of line end and joint". Ver.10.01 September 15, 2016
(13) Depending on PDF creation application, PDF version information may
not match notation and entity. When such a PDF file was read, it was not
able to read (error code=10000).
It enabled it to read this. Ver.10.01 December 16, 2016
(14) When output drawing size was larger than paper size, drawing position
of the right left upper and lower sides was abnormal. This was repaired. Ver.10.01 December 20, 2016
(15) When output drawing size was larger than paper size and paper margin
was larger than 0, it repaired having been printed without reflecting paper
margin. Ver.10.01 January 3, 2017
(16) PayPal fee about licensing fee remittance which user had paid was
eliminated.
Ver.10.01 January 9, 2017
(17) When evaluation period goes out, or when uninstalling, function which
fills in evaluation result and carries out e mail transmission was added. Ver.10.01 January 11, 2017
(18) An output of image files, such as TIFF file, repaired having become
error.
Ver.10.01 May 10, 2017
(19) It was ignored when there existed Bitmap which black and white reversed
in PDF and EMF input, and it repaired becoming whole surface black. Ver.10.01 August 30, 2017
(20) When file attribute button was pushed, it could be made to perform
PDF file reading scale setup.
Ver.10.01 September 27, 2017
(21) Display of FT command of HPGL was improved. Ver.10.01 October 29, 2017
(22) When figure existed on boundary of drawing area, half of line width
was cut. Then, it improved so that width and height of drawing area might
be enlarged 1 mm and might be outputted.
Ver.10.01 January 29, 2018
(23) Fixed abnormally when opening some abnormal files.
Ver.10.02 March 27, 2018
(1) Set paper standard (ISO A0-A4, ISO B0-B5, JIS B0-B5, ANSI A-E, ARCH A-E, E1) can be set with SetPrinter Dialog.
(2) Fixed the problem that character position shifted under extremely rare conditions.
Condition:
When characters are drawn with multiple LB (label command) without pen movement instruction after LO (label origin command) other than the initial value
(3) Under the following conditions, we corrected the fault that black and white color selection was displayed incorrectly.
Set to black and white
Data that draws figures while changing colors with PC (pen
color designation) command
(4) Fixed an obstacle in which filled figures are not displayed with EMF output. Ver.10.02 May 04, 2018
(5) Improved reading accuracy of PDF files.
PDF reading scale correction is automatically set during installation.
PDF reading scale correction X, Y can be set in the input
file setting.
We prepared a button which can automatically set PDF reading
scale correction X, Y in input file setting.
PDF reading scale correction can be set automatically on the
command line.
Ver.10.02 Jun 11, 2018
(6) When the resolution was over 45 degrees with CI (circle drawing) command
of HPGL, it was drawing with octagon. We changed it to draw with a triangle
when the resolution is 120 degrees or more. Ver.10.02 August 10, 2018
(7) The initial color values of pen table No. 3 and 4 are matched with
the color table of PloView comment file. Ver.10.02 October 23, 2018
(8) Kanji of HPGL specification is to switch to kanji mode and to use JIS
code by LB (Label) command. However, there is data that uses ShiftJIS code
in the case of not switching to Kanji mode (1 Byte mode).
Therefore, even in such a case, we improved to display Kanji.
(9) When Text size correction was set to something other than 100% with
Set-Text, it did not work correction value or position of Text. We improved
this.
(10) If Text is on the boundary of the drawing size, influence the drawing
area. Conventionally, when "Text size correction" is set to a
value other than 100% in Set-Text, when opening a file, Text area was calculated
with standard size. This was changed to the corrected size.
(11) In case of combination of DV (horizontal writing, vertical writing
character) instruction and LO (designation of left alignment, right alignment,
centering of character string) instruction, there was a case where character
misalignment occurred. We fixed this.
(12) When inputs DXF file, clockwise circular data was skipped. We fixed
this.
(13) It was not corresponded with DXF file input when Text width and Text
space were minus (mirror display). Corresponding to this.
(14) Text size at PDF input was adjusted.
Ver.10.10 January 23, 2019
(1) The following functions were upgraded by drastically updating the PDF
reading module.
* Traditionally, when reading PDF files edited with PDF editing tools
such as Acrobat, edited figures were not displayed. We made it to display.
* Text reading processing was adjusted.
* The clipping process was adjusted.
(2) The initial setting value of the pen setting is changed as follows.
Color is changed when pen color is same color as background: ON --> OFF
Turn down image: ON --> OFF
(3) When character width or character height is minus in reading EMF file,
it was not displayed with mirror-on. We tried to display with mirror-on. Ver.10.10 April 26, 2019
(4) Since the HPGL file has no drawing area information, the maximum area
of figure is used as the drawing area. The "Set""Input File"
menu now allows you to select the method for determining the drawing size
of the HPGL file from the following.
* Figure maximum area
* PS (PlotSize) instruction area.
Maximum area of figure without PS instruction.
* IW (Input Winow) instruction area.
Maximum area of figure without IW instruction.
* IP (ScalePoint) instruction area.
Maximum area of figure without IP instruction.
* Automatic (PS → IW → IP → maximum figure)
In addition, setting whether to include the origin in the drawing size.
(5) PloCon drawing area (print area) when reading DXF / DWG file can be
selected from figure maximum area or drawing size of DXF / DGW file. The
PloCon drawing area when reading SXF file is the drawing size of the SXF
file. Ver.10.10 May 08 2019
(6) I fixed that PloCon hangs up at your next operation.
Press CtreateOutList button.
When there is only one file in Output Candidacy file List,
click that file.
Press ==> button. Ver.10.10 Jun 01, 2019
(7) Fixed the problem of abnormal display when there are multiple Splines
according to the condition in DXF file input.
(8) Fixed the problem that the surface becomes abnormal display according
to the condition by PDF file input. Ver.10.10 July 05, 2019
(9) Fixed the problem that figure in which the MC instruction of HPGL data
is Merge is not displayed. Ver.10.10 Oct 01, 2019
(10) When ordering from Japan, the tax of the license fee was changed to 10%.
Ver.10.10 October 19, 2019
(11) When putting the Windows GodMode icon on the desktop, an error occurred
at startup. This was repaired. Ver.10.10 January 14, 2020
(12) Conventionally, free software "Teigha File Converter" has
been used for DWG-DXF conversion.
Open Design Alliance, the copyright holder of "Teigha File Converter",
has changed it to "ODA File Converter". So we responded to this.
Note: "Teigha File Converter" can be used as it is.
(13) Added support for text format codes (Unicode, MIF, forced line feed)
when reading from DWG or DXF. Ver.10.10 May 18, 2020
(14) DXF, DWG, PDF, and EMF files could not be opened normally when the
decimal symbol in the numeric format in the Regional and Language Options
of the control panel is other than ".".
I repaired this. Ver.10.10 August 18, 2021
(15) Fixed the problem that hangs when multiple files are selected in "CreateOutList"
Dialog on Windows 10 Pro PC. Ver.10.10 May 2, 2022
(16) It was modified to delete the temporary processing file that caused
an error when the program ended. Ver.10.10 June 8, 2022
(17) When all the constituent points of the surface are the same, only
the outline is drawn and not filled, This has been improved.
(18) Added support for alpha blend bitmaps in PDF and EMF files.
Ver.11.00 July 27, 2022 (1) Compatible with Windows 11. (2) Code signing
was added.
By attaching a code sign, the software distribution source is
authenticated, and it is guaranteed that spoofing and content tampering have not
been performed. Recently, Windows and security check software have tightened
security checks, and there are increasing cases of false recognition even though
there is no virus. Code signing may reduce false positives. Ver.11.00 February 10, 2023 (3) Added the following text to Article 2 of
"License agreement".
"This software cannot be operated remotely." Ver.11.00 March 12, 2023
(4) Prevented multiple PloCon from starting at the same time.
Ver.11.00 September 15, 2023
(5) Updated the deadline for code signing.
(6) Fixed the following problems when inputting PDF and EMF files.
* Abnormal display of Bezier curve during input
* During input, display abnormality of POLYPOLYGON (surface) with
multiple closed loops
* Character display abnormality when inputting/outputting a file with characters in vertical writing font with @
(7) Corresponds to vertical writing FONT characters with @ when inputting
HPGL1, DXF, DWG, IGES, and SXF files Ver.11.00 December 31, 2023
(8) In "PDF file setting" when you press "FileAttribute".
I added the "Delete painting out of white" checkbox.
If you check this, white fill data will be deleted when opening
a PDF file. Ver.11.00 March 3, 2024
(9) The following HPRTL commands are now supported.
'ESC%A'(enter PCL mode), 'ESC*rB'(end raster graphics)
Previously, when opening a file, the image shape of this command was ignored. Ver.11.00 April 29, 2024
(10) Fixed a bug where a white filled rectangle was displayed at the top
left of the drawing area when inputting PDF or EMF files.
This is an improvement related to paragraph (8).
It works regardless of ON/OFF of "FileAttribute"
- "PDF file setting" - "Delete painting out of white". Ver.11.00 May 11, 2024
(11) When inputting a PDF or EMF file, if there was binary data of a raster
image figure, there was a problem in which the figure would not be displayed
in very rare cases. This time, we have revised this.
(12) When inputting PDF or EMF files, it took a long time to open if there
were raster image shapes. This has been sped up.
Note :
1.As for the installation method, after extracting the downloaded
file,
execute Setup.exe according to the contents of the
Readme.txt file.
2.Our product has been virus checked.
When "Windows protected your PC" is displayed
at the time of installation,
if there is only "Don't run" or "OK" button, please click "More info" and
press "Run anyway" button.
3.This HP is always put up only the latest version.
Acquisition of an old version becomes impossible.
Please copy the downloaded file to a data medium for
re-installation.
Ver.11.0
