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File Formats: Printer Command Language Format (PCL)/(PCL-XL)/(PLT)

The Printer Command Language (PCL) vector format was developed by Hewlett-Packard specifically to allow computers and printers to communicate with each other. The PCL files consist of commands. The HP printers parse and decode those commands. The PCL format also supports HPGL plotter files (PLT).

In the raster toolkits, PCL files are rasterized when loaded but cannot be saved. Loading and saving this format as vector files is provided in the LEADTOOLS Vector Imaging Pro toolkit. Support is unlocked when the Vector features are unlocked.

LEAD supports version 3.0, 5.0 and 6.0 of this file format.

The default extensions used by this format are: PRN, PRT, PCL and Pxl.

This format is used by Visual PCL, PCLTOOLS, redtitan EscapE and AutoVue.

This file format does not support layers or grouping, but it does support embedded raster objects.

The PCL filter provides support for:

HPGL plotter file (PLT) is the standard language for printing line drawings created by Hewlett-Packard. HPGL is supported by many CAD programs, charting programs and word processors. LEADTOOLS supports HPGL and HPGL/2.

File constants associated with this file format are:

Constant Read Support Write Support Description
Pcl Yes Yes Printer Command Language
Plt Yes Yes HPGL plotter file
PclXl Yes No PCL6 vector format

When PCL files are rasterized, they are 24 BPP. You can read and write vector PCL files at 24 BPP.

When PLT files are rasterized, they are 4 BPP.

The following table indicates which objects LEAD can load and which objects it can save:

Object: PCL Load / PLT Load PCL Save / PLT Save
Arc Supported / Supported Supported / Supported
Circle Supported / Supported Supported / Supported
Lines Supported / Supported Supported / Supported
Pie Supported / Supported Supported / Supported
Point Supported / Not Supported Supported / Not Supported
PolyBezier Supported / Not Supported Not Supported / Not Supported
PolyDraw Supported / Supported Not Supported / Not Supported
Polygons Supported / Supported Not Supported / Not Supported
Polyline Supported / Supported Not Supported / Not Supported
Raster Supported / Not Supported Supported / Not Supported
Rectangle Supported / Supported Supported / Supported
Text Supported / Supported Supported / Not Supported

Required DLL: Leadtools.Vector.dll and Leadtools.Codecs.Pcl.dll. For a listing of the exact DLLs needed, based on the toolkit version, refer to Files To Be Included With Your Application.

Platforms: .NET 2/3, .NET 4

 

 


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