Using CorelDraw 7.0 to Create HPGL Files CorelDraw 7.0 can be used to create HPGL files to be used as toolpaths by SuperCam. First a drawing of the objects, to be created, is made in CorelDraw. Then the Contour feature is used, to create the tool offsets, to compensate for the diameter of the cutting tool. The contour offset should be half of the diameter of the cutting kerf. Once the contour line has been created, around the objects, the contour line is seperated from the original object by using the ARRANGE|SEPERATE function. Then the separate layer is created "Cutout" and the contour lines are move to that layer. The original layer is made invisible and unprintable. The FILE|EXPORT function is executed and the file format of HPGL isselected. A .PLT file is exported into the "SuperCam" sub-directory. CorelDraw's export parameters can be adjusted for the best output and sizing. Origin at page bottom left, 1016 increments per inch, 100% scale and no fill. The HPGL plot file is then imported into SuperCam. Once the file has been imported, the plot file can be edited. Toolpaths can be moved, copied, rotated and scaled for the best fit on the material they will be cut from. |
 CorelDraw 7.0 Screen showing the orginal design to be created.  CorelDraw 7.0 Screen showing EFFECTS|CONTOUR pull down menu selection.  CorelDraw 7.0 Screen showing contour offset outside at .040 inch with one boundary line to be created. This is a good starting point for a Plasma Torch about half (1/2) of the cutting kerf.  CorelDraw 7.0 Screen showing color of contour line and fill set to Red.  CorelDraw 7.0 Screen showing closeup between the 'T' and the 'e' with separated contour line. The Fill has been turned off with Shift-F9 toggle.  CorelDraw 7.0 Screen showing contour line on it's own layer and the orginal layer made invisible and unprintable.  CorelDraw 7.0 Screen showing FILE|EXPORT being selected.  CorelDraw 7.0 Screen showing EXPORT window pane. HPGL file format is selected here.  CorelDraw 7.0 Screen showing HPGL EXPORT window pane with parameters for the pens.  CorelDraw 7.0 Screen showing page paraments set to origin bottom left, 1016 increments per inch, scale at 100%.  CorelDraw 7.0 Screen showing the Advanced parameters set to no Fill.  SuperCam Screen showing the File|Imp_HPGL feature being selected.  SuperCam Screen showing the sub-directory and file to be imported, scale factor, increments per inch and whether the objects will be rotated.  SuperCam Screen showing the imported HPGL file.  SuperCam Screen showing the toolpath.  SuperCam Screen showing edited toolpath. | | | ||||||||||||||||||
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Copyright 2009 Dennis Bohlke
Revised 09/23/09
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