Chiplotle: an HPGL (Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language) Python API

Finally, a way to control your grungy old pen plotters with your shiny new laptop!

Chiplotle is a Python library that implements and extends the HPGL (Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language) plotter control language. It supports all the standard HPGL commands as well as our own more complex "compound HPGL" commands, implemented as Python classes. Chiplotle also provides direct control of your HPGL-aware hardware via a standard usb<->serial port interface.

Chiplotle has been tested with a variety of HPGL devices from various companies, including Hewlett-Packard, Roland Digital Group, Houston Instrument, etc. It includes plotter-specific configuration files for many different plotter models, as well as a generic configuration that should work with any HPGL-compliant device.

Quick start: find/buy an old pen plotter; hook it up via a usb<->serial interface and a correctly wired plotter cable; install Chiplotle; start plotting!