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. 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 Document SDK. 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.

LEADTOOLS supports loading this format as a raster image, vector image, or SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) document.

This format is used by Visual PCL, PCLTOOLS, RedTitan EscapeE 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.

Platform Support

Extension Module Value Win32 Win64 Net32 Net64 Linux Android Apple UWP MimeType Friendly Name
Pcl PCL 251 application/vnd.hp-pcl PCL- Printer Command Language Format
PclXl PCL 349 application/vnd.hp-pcl PCLXL - PCL6 Vector Format
Plt PCL 137 application/vnd.hp-pcl HPGL plotter file vector graphics PCL

For a complete list for supported file formats, see Summary of All Supported File Formats.

For details of the file formats supported across products and platforms, refer to File Format Comparison Chart.

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