Working modes

The following is a list of the main topics described in the "Working modes" section.

Any product names mentioned in this document are trademarks used for identification purposes only.

Run modes

The printing — that is to say, the use of GBPLO — is controlled, as described in General methods for use, by the following: Whatever the mode, the final output depends on the methods you set, which may be roughly categorized as follows: Each of the modes for the four above-mentioned categories is described in this chapter.
 Note on this section:

This is a general source of information, intended to illustrate the potential and operating standards; the documentation for the individual modes does not, therefore, provide syntactic details: for these, refer to the description of the directives and corresponding options (the latter are specified so as to facilitate reference).

To complete the overview of the use of GBPLO, the end of this chapter describes:

Directives and options

For clarity, as already indicated in the Overview, the terms "initialization file directive" and "run string option" are used.

Run string options

The term "run string option" refers to the set constituted by a key preceded by the minus sign and followed by the parameters which specify its behavior in the appropriate syntax:

KEY parameters

The run string options available are described in the Run options section.

Initialization file directives

The term "initialization file directives" refers to an initialization key followed by the parameters which specify its behavior in the appropriate syntax:

KEY parameters

The directives which can be used in the initialization file are described in section Initialization file directives.

Instructions necessary to run GBPLO

As said in Run modes, some instructions are essential to the functioning of the program and to guarantee its completion.
If these instructions are not specified either in the initialization file or in the run string, GBPLO interactively requests that you enter them. The methods and parameters are the following. c02 User's guide - Chap 2 Part 1 -->
 
Message file Enables you to specify the pathname of a file used in GBPLO: the "message file". If you do not specify the directory, that specified with DRO is assumed.
directive: MSG pathname
run option: -ME pathname
Ini file Enables you to specify the pathname of the initialization file in the run string. The default initialization file is "/cad/gp60/gbp.ini". If you do not specify the directory, that specified with DRO is assumed.
run option: -I pathname
SizeSpecifies of the dimensions of the sheet along the x-axis and y-axis, which you can also specify by indicating one of the standard sizes A0, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 (horizontal or vertical).

Input file Specifies the pathname of the input file, containing the drawing to be printed.

Obviously, you cannot indicate this in the initialization file, but only in the run string or interactively.

directive: DIM size
or, alternatively
GRA FORMD size td>
run option: -D size
or, alternatively
-GRA FORMD size
run option: -F filename

The following instructions (layers to be plotted, unit of measure, scale, window dimensions, pens for dimensioning), have this characteristic: if you supply even one of them in the initialization file or run string, the others are not requested interactively, since the corresponding values stored in the drawing are used.
 
LayersSpecifies the layers of the drawing to be printed.
The drawing is normally distributed over a number of overlapping "layers", that is to say, layers upon which parts of the same diagram which are . usually . logically different lie.

GBPLO enables you to print one or more layers separately, as well as to print the complete drawing.
You can use this option in the run string and interactively, but you cannot indicate it in the initialization file.
run option: -L layer_code

Window Specifies the rectangular portion of the drawing to be plotted.
You can define a rectangular area of the drawing and limit printing to the said area.

In other words, use this method to print a detail of the drawing (without altering the original drawing).

You can use this option in the run string and interactively, but you cannot indicate it in the initialization file.
run option: -W window

Unit of measure Specifies the unit of measure to be used for the drawing. Select metric-decimal or imperial.
directive: MIS unit_of_measure_code
run option: -U unit_of_measure_code
Pens for dimensioning Specifies the pen (for plotting) or color (for printer or file) to be used to draw the dimensions.

In this way, you can differentiate the dimensions from the other parts of the drawing, also differentiating the individual items: the text, arrowheads and tolerances of the dimensions.
directive: QUO pen_text [pen_arrows [pen_tol]]
run option: -QPE pen_text [pen_arrows[pen_tol]]

Scale Specifies the scale factor to be used when printing the drawing.

You can use this option in the run string and interactively, but you cannot indicate it in the initialization file.
run option: -S scale

Other instructions for running the program

Other modes and parameters are available, their indication not being essential for program functioning, but necessary to modify its default behavior. These are listed below.
 
Output format Specifies the format in which the output file must be generated.
The default format is HP-GL/2.
directive: GRA ODVT output_type
run option: -GRA ODVT output_type
Output device or file Specifies the name of the output file or device. The name you enter is interpreted as follows (see also Output to file and output to print device): if there is an output device (printer or plotter) with that name, printing is effected on the said device; if there is no device with that name, a file with the specified name is created (and the format set with GRA ODVT).
directive: ODEV name
or:
GRA ODVN name td>
run option: -O name
or:
-GRA ODVN name

GBPLO contains default names which depend upon the host system (MIcrosoft® Windows Systems: COM1).

Output device limits Defines the active area of the output device, i.e.: the area upon which you intend to draw.
directive: GRA ODVL limits
run option: -GRA ODVL limits
Mode Intended to constrain the interactive mode or the batch mode, in the coding described relative to the directive and the corresponding key.
directive: MOD mode_code
run option: -MOD mode_code
Number of copies Specifies the number of copies of the current drawing to be printed (only for output devices).
directive: NCO number_of_copies
or:
GRA NCOP number_of_copies td>
run option: -NCO number_of_copies
or:
-GRA NCOP number_of_copies
Merging drawings Enables you to print more than one drawing on a single sheet. This procedure is also known as nesting drawings (see Merging or nesting drawings).
The corresponding key has a special code which requires that you indicate a file containing the GBPLO run strings relative to the files to be merged.
Obviously, you can indicate this option only in the run string.

and a position relative to the sheet:

run option: -COM run_string_file
The merging of the drawings at printing is completed by the possibility of indicating a rotation by a multiple of 90 degrees for each (the following options must be combined with -COM):
run option: -ALF angle
run option: -DXY xorigin yorigin
Initializing the device Enables you to send a suitable initialization string to the print device, if necessary.
directive: PRC initialization_string
or:
GRA ODVSI initialization_string td>
run option: -P initialization_string
or:
GRA ODVSI initialization_string
Closing the device Enables you to send a suitable closing string to the print device, if necessary.
directive: GRA ODVSC closing_string
run option: -GRA ODVSC closing_string
Paper feed Enables you to control paper feed at the end of the drawing (no feed, half page, whole page).
directive: AVA feed_flag
or:
GRA ADVANCE feed_flag td>
run option: -A feed_flag
or:
-GRA ADVANCE feed_flag
Stops for pen change Instruction to stop the pen-plotter at some of the pens specified, to allow their substitution.
directive: BRE pens
run option: -B pens
Pens on line Specifies the pens which the plotter must use for the current plotting session.
directive: NPE pens
run option: -N pens
Resolution Specifies the resolution, for plotters which can have different resolutions.
directive: RPL resolution (in unit/cm)
or:
GRA ODVR resolution (in unit/mm) td>
run option: -RP resolution (in unit/cm)
or:
-GRA ODVR resolution (in unit/mm)
Device data Enables you to read the main data of the output device used.
directive: GRA SHDEV
run option: -GRA SHDEV
Pen position at end of plotting Defines those points of the drawing at which the pen must be positioned at the end of plotting (bottom left-hand corner, bottom right-hand corner, top left-hand corner, top right-hand corner).
This option is useful when you print more than one drawing on the same sheet, as an alternative to the mode obtained by the -COM option.
directive: PPE position_code
run option: -PP position_code
Relocating the origin Instruction for repositioning the pen at the start of plotting, for example, to plot more than one drawing on a single sheet of paper, as an alternative to the mode obtained with the -COM option.
directive: ROR x_origin y_origin
or:
GRA RORIG x_origin y_origin td>
run option: -RO x_origin y_origin
or:
-GRA RORIG x_origin y_origin
Alphanumeric echo Enables you to switch the program alphanumeric echo, i.e.: display of messages on-screen, On or Off.
run option: -E echo_flag
Error file Specifies the pathname of the file in which you intend to store the error indications and warnings relative to running GBPLO.
directive: FER error_file
run option: -FER error_file
Serial port configuration Enables you to configure the serial port, automatically or by redefining the appropriate parameters.
directive: GRA ODVC flag
run option: -GRA ODVC flag
Logical and physical colors Enables you to redefine the match between the logical . pens . colors of the drawing and those physical available on the output device.
directive: GRA COLCH logical_col physical_col
run option: -GRA COLCH logical_col physical_col
Maximum number of colors Enables you to define the maximum number of colors to be used from those available on the output device.
directive: GRA NCOLS max_num
run option: -GRA NCOLS max_num
Connection to device Enables you to define the type of connection used to dialog with the output device, in terms of the line (serial or parallel) and the protocol.
directive: GRA INTERF type
run option: -GRA INTERF type
Leading blank Enables the insertion of a blank at the head of each output record for the devices which use the first character as a control character.
directive: GRA LEADBL option
run option: -GRA LEADBL option

Typical initialization instructions

Some program management modes enable you to define parameters and values typical of the initialization phase. They are listed below.
 
Language Enables you to select the language (I=Italian, default; E=English, F=French) in which the program input requests and output messages will be displayed.
directive: LAN language
run option: -LAB language
Root directory Enables you to specify the installation root directory, used by GBPLO to construct the name of several files indicated with the relative mode (MSG). This does not affect files and directories indicated with GRA keys. If you do not specify the root directory, the run directory is assumed.
directive: DRO root_directory
run option: -DRO root_directory
Drawing directory Enables you to specify the resident directory for the drawings, in which the input files (-F) and the symbol library (-LSI) are searched for if you do not specify the complete pathname. The default directory is "/disegni" (drawings).

directive: DRC drawing_directory

Font directory Enables you to specify the resident directory for the user fonts.
directive: DRF font_directory
or, alternatively
GRA DIRF font_directory td>
run option: -GRA DIRF font_directory
Defining symbolic names Enables you to define the symbolic names which can be used in the initialization file. Can be used only in the said file.
directive: DEF symbolic_name actual_name

Instructions for graphics management

The modes and parameters described below control the rendering of the drawing, that is to say, its final graphic appearance.
 
Printing pens Enables you to print only those entities in the drawing whose pen attribute you specified with this option (when using a plotter the numbers indicated correspond to the device. s pens; in other case, they indicate the corresponding colors).
You can use this option in the run string and interactively, but you cannot indicate it in the initialization file.
run option: -DP pens
Unit of measure for angle dimensions Specifies the unit of measure for the angle dimensions.
This may be:  degrees/minutes/seconds, grads, decimal degrees, radians, in the coding described relative to the directive and the corresponding key.
directive: FQU ang_unit
run option: -FQ ang_unit
Symbol library Specifies the pathname of the symbol library . If you do not specify the complete pathname, entering only the file name, the search is carried out in the drawing directory (DRC).
The possibility of changing the current symbol library may be very useful when printing files containing symbols which, although of the same name, have a different graphic appearance in different contexts.

For example, the same drawing may contain symbols to be printed in accordance with European or American standards: this option enables you to print the two versions of the drawing by simply specifying the two different libraries, without modifying the drawing file
directive: LSI library
run option: -LS library

Defining Parameters Defines the values of the main parameters of the drawing.
directive: PAR parameter_value
run option: -PAR parameter_value
Alternative formats Enables you to enable printing of alternative formats for the dimensions.
directive: QAL alternative_code
run option: -QAL alternative_code
Displaying texts Enables you to define the mode for drawing texts according to their quality attributes.
directive: QTE text_quality_code
run option: -QT text_quality_code
Distance for leader Defines the distance from the dimension text at which a leader must be drawn, for dimensions not connected to the measuring line.
directive: QDT distance
run option: -QTX distance
Decimal separator Specifies the type of decimal separator for the dimensions (point, comma, with or without display of insignificant zeros).
directive: QVP separator
run option: -QVP separator
Tolerance parameters Enables you to define the tolerance parameters (distance between the centre lines, character height, distance between tolerances), in the coding of the corresponding directive.
You can set this option only in the initialization file with the appropriate directive:
directive: TOL cenline_dist char_height tol_dist
UNI tables Specifies the pathname of the file containing the UNI tables.
You can set this option only in the initialization file with the approriate directive:
directive: UNI file
Arc drawing modes Enables you to set the circular arc drawing mode: according to the output device modes, according to the GBPLO modes or with a polyline.
directive: GRA ARCM option
run option: -GRA ARCM option
Discretizing arcs Enables you to set the discretization value to be used when drawing arcs.

Note: if you select a hardware mode, any arc discretization value set may have no effect on some output formats.
directive: GRA ARCD discretization
run option: -GRA ARCD discretization

Dashed line drawing modes Enables you to decide whether or not the dashed lines on the drawing must be drawn according to the output hardware device modes or the software modes. You can redefine the step of the dashed lines at any time (GRA LTRP) and, if you select a software mode, you can also redefine the entire pattern (GRA DLPAT).
directive: GRA LTRM option
run option: -GRA LTRM option
Dashed line step Enables you to modify the length of the dashed line step. Enter a multiplication factor which will be applied to the entire pattern and is completely independent of the resolution.
directive: GRA LTRP factor
run option: -GRA LTRP factor
Line pattern Enables you to define the pattern to be associated to the types of dashed lines, in terms of the length of the dashes to be drawn and the spaces, when you set a software type dashed line drawing mode with GRA LTRM.
directive: GRA DLPAT line pattern
run option: -GRA DLPAT line pattern
Alternative fonts Enables you to substitute the default font otherwise used to display texts of quality 3 (QTE).
directive: GRA FLOAD font
run option: -GRA FLOAD font
Thickness management modes Enables you to activate and manage line thickness (line width or line weight) defined with GRA PWIDTH). If activated, the thickness can be expressed in output device units, in proportion to the current scale, in millimeters or inches.
directive: GRA MWIDTH option
run option: -GRA MWIDTH option
Thickness Enables you to associate a particular thickness to a pen (line width or line weight), also defining its size (in mm, cm or inches).
directive: GRA PWIDTH pen thickness unit
run option: -GRA PWIDTH pen thickness unit
Point entity drawing modes Enables you to define the point entity drawing modes: output hardware device mode or software mode (in the latter case, you must also define the graphic symbol and its size).
directive: GRA PNTM option
run option: -GRA PNTM option
Rotation Enables you to rotate the drawing through a preset angle, to adapt it to the size used.
directive: GRA ROTATE angle
run option: -GRA ROTATE angle

Instructions relative to special formats

The instructions described below relate to the specified formats and apply for these only.

HP-GL and HP-GL/2 formats

The following special parameters and modes relate to the HP-GL and HP-GL/2 formats.
 
Defining the color map Enables you to define the content of the elements of the color map in terms of the RGB components and taking into account the limits set with the GRA COLCH and GRA NCOLS directives.
directive: GRA CMAP numcol red green blue
run option: -GRA CMAP numcol red green blue
HW drawing merging Enables you to merge more than two drawings on the same sheet in hardware mode, i.e.: so that merging is effected by the output device rather than GBPLO (-COM mode).
directive: GRA MERGE option
run option: -GRA MERGE option
Defining reference points Enables you to redefine the plotter reference points (which you can inspect with GRA SHP1P2) which determine the working dimensions of the sheet and the framing (FRA) step.
directive: GRA P1P2 x1 y1 x2 y2
run option: -GRA P1P2 x1 y1 x2 y2
Displaying reference points Enables you to inspect reference point coordinates (these can be defined using GRA P1P2) which define the plotting area.
directive: GRA SHP1P2
run option: -GRA SHP1P2
Framing Enables you to manage the printing of large drawings: the plotter effects printing in frames. This occurs without requiring user confirmation.
directive: FRA framing_flag
or:
GRA FRAM framing_flag td>
run option: -FR framing_flag
or:
-GRA FRAM framing_flag

BGL Format

The following special modes and parameters relate to the BGL format.
 
Framing Enables you to manage the printing of large drawings: the plotter effects printing in frames. This occurs without requiring user confirmation.
directive: FRA framing_flag
or:
GRA FRAM framing_flag td>
run option: -FR framing_flag
or:
-GRA FRAM framing_flag
Correcting character width Indication of the character width correction factor necessary to obtain correct text plotting.
directive: GRA FOFFS factor
run option: -GRA FOFFS factor
Defining reference points Enables you to redefine the plotter reference points (you can inspect these with GRA SHP1P2) which determine the working dimensions of the sheet and the framing (FRA) step.
directive: GRA P1P2 x1 y1 x2 y2
run option: -GRA P1P2 x1 y1 x2 y2
Displaying reference points Enables you to inspect the coordinates of the reference points (these can be defined with GRA P1P2) which define the plotting area.
directive: GRA SHP1P2
run option: -GRA SHP1P2

PostScript format

You can use the following parameters for the PostScript format.
 
Defining the color map Enables you to define the content of the elements of the color map in terms of the RGB components and taking into account the limits set by the GRA COLCH and GRA NCOLS directives.
directive: GRA CMAP numcol red green blue
run option: -GRA CMAP numcol red green blue
Maximum number of instructions per path Specifies the maximum number of graphic instructions per path (temporary graphics buffer). Enables you to optimize performance depending on the hardware used.
directive: GRA NPBUF max_num
run option: -GRA NPBUF max_num

CALCOMP format

You can define the following modes for the CALCOMP format.
 
Plotter intelligence Enables you to define the degree of intelligence of the plotter, to manage the use of the plotter character generator and the special functions. In particular, allows you to enable the CDCL directives, which are otherwise inhibited.
directive: GRA INTPL code
run option: -GRA INTPL code
Defining the color map (CALCOMP - CDCL only) Enables you to define the content of the elements of the color map in terms of the RGB components and taking into account the limits set with the GRA COLCH and GRA NCOLS directives, when the "plotter degree of intelligence" (GRA INTPL) is suitable.
directive: GRA CMAP numcol red green blue
run option: -GRA CMAP numcol red green blue
Thickness management modes (CALCOMP - CDCL only) Enables you to activate and manage line thickness (line width or line weight to be defined with GRA PWIDTH), when the "plotter degree of intelligence" (GRA INTPL) is suitable. If activated, thickness can be expressed in units of the output device, in proportion to the current scale or in millimeters.
directive: GRA MWIDTH option
run option: -GRA MWIDTH option
Thickness (CALCOMP - CDCL only) Enables you to associate a particular thickness to a pen (line width or line weight), also defining its entity (in mm, cm or inches), when the "plotter degree of intelligence" (GRA INTPL) is suitable.
directive: GRA PWIDTH pen thickness unit
run option: -GRA PWIDTH pen thickness unit

Raster format

The following modes relate to the printing of files in the raster format.

N.B.:

Remember that with GBPLO the printing of vector drawings in raster format is always enabled. Only GBG Raster users can print hybrid files with GBPLO, that is to say, files whose content is part vector and part raster, or pure raster files. In general:


Compression modes Enables you to set the mode for compression of the output raster files.
directive: GRA COMP mode
run option: -GRA COMP mode
Merging HW drawings Applicable only to the HP-RTL format which enables you to use the hardware mode, i.e.: so that the merging of more than two drawings on the same sheet is effected by the output device rather than GBPLO (-COM mode).
directive: GRA MERGE option
run option: -GRA MERGE option
Leading and trailing blanks Enables the removal of any blank lines . scanlines . , when the window entered (-W) is larger than that actually occupied by the drawing.
directive: GRA STRIP option
run option: -GRA STRIP option
Number of lines per block Enables you to define, for output in the TIFF format, the number of lines (scanlines) which constitute each block (strip).
directive: GRA ROPS line_num
run option: -GRA ROPS line_num

Printing drawings generated in think3 environment

The following options and directives relate to the printing of drawings generated in the think3 environment.
 
Root directory Enables you to tell GBPLO the root directory of the think3 application installation, within which the "fonts" directory containing the fonts to be used in the drawing is searched for. If you do not specify the root directory, the GBPLO installation root directory is assumed as the default.
directive: DRE pathname
run option: -DRE pathname

Moreover, when printing a model file, you can define the reference system associated to the view (by means of the y and z unit vectors).
 
View reference unit vectors Enables you to define the y and z unit vectors of the reference system associated to the view containing the entities to be printed, when printing model files ".e3".
directive: VUP upx upy upz
run option: -VUP upx upyupz
directive: VNO nox noynoz
run option: -VNO nox noynoz