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HP Designjet Printers - HP-GL/2 Language vs HP-GL Language

Information

HP-GL and HP-GL/2 Defined and Differentiated.

Details

HP-GL stands for Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language
It was the First vector language.
It was originally designed for Pen Plotters.
There are several versions of HP-GL and they were device dependent.
Some Designjets support HP-GL through an emulation of HP 7586.
HHP-GL is not compatible with all the Designjet family.
Some of the compatible models are 200 Series, 300 Series, 400 Series, 600 Series, and 1000 Series
Series such as 2500 / 3000 CP Series, 500 / 800 Series, 5000 / 5500 Series, 100 Series and later are not compatible Designjets.
In HP-GL the coordinates are at the center.
The language allows negative coordinate values.
HP-GL emulation includes limited Device Control Instructions (DCI) support.
HP-GL instructions are inherited from the old Pen Plotters, which where vector devices.
Instructions passed to the printer have the following structure:
  • Pen up, Pen down.
  • Advance paperTextetc.
HP-GL is not supported in new Designjets.
HP-GL/2 is much more powerful and efficient.
HP-GL/2 has the ability to switch to Raster mode. HP-GL does not have this ability.
HP drivers always generate HP-GL/2. HP-GL is only supported in some Designjets for backwards compatibility
HP-GL/2
The coordinate origin in HP-GL/2 is located in the top left corner of the page, while in HP-GL it is in the center.
HP-GL/2 does not support negative coordinates (in absolute mode).
HP-GL/2 files are 2 to 5 times smaller than HP-GL files.
The throughput and lockout time have been improved.
Some compatible DesignJets are, 200 Series, 300 Series, 400 Series, 600 Series, 1000 Series, 2000/3000 Series, 800 Series, and 500 Series + HP-GL/2 CArd.
Some incompatible Designjets are 500 series without HP-GL/2 Card, 10, 20, 50ps and 100 Series.
For more information, refer to the following HP Handbook:
The HP-GL/2 and HP RTL Reference Guide A Handbook for Program Developers.

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