GMU:Algorithmic Art/HP 7475A: Difference between revisions

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Tobiaszimmer

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 =='''Working with the HP 7475A'''==
+==='''Utility programs'''===
+* [[Media:HP7475A_live_input.pde|HP7475A_live_input]] (you have to download the controlP5 library)
+* [[Media:HP7475A_feed_hpgl_file_01.pde|HP7475A_feed_hpgl_file_01]] (no buffer overflow in most cases)
+* [[Media:HP7475A_feed_hpgl_file_02.pde|HP7475A_feed_hpgl_file_02]] (no buffer overflow at all (so far), but method seems a bit inefficient)
 ==='''General'''===
 The plotter is placed in room 204, in the shelf behind the projection screen. Take it out, place it on a desk and connect the serial adapter to your computer. Please do not forget to return it to the shelf when you are done! You have to bring your own pens and paper. Expect that some trial and error is involved when working with the HP7475A, until you achieve perfect results.
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 ==='''Working Times'''===
-If you want to work with the plotter, first check if the room is currently unoccupied. If you want to be sure that no one else is working with the plotter, make sure to send a message to the whole class, with the date and time that you intend to use the plotter (Email, Telegram, WhatsApp!?)<br> <br>
+If you want to work with the plotter, first check if the room is currently unoccupied. If you want to be sure that no one else is working with the plotter, send a message to the whole class, with the date and time that you intend to use the plotter (Email, Telegram, WhatsApp!?)<br> <br>
 [https://www.uni-weimar.de/qisserver/rds?state=wplan&act=Raum&pool=Raum&show=plan&P.subc=plan&raum.rgid=2847 Class Schedule in M7 Room 204]
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 ==='''Paper Setup'''===
 The HP7475A either takes A4 or A3 paper. The thickness of the paper is very flexible.
+Before plotting on a A3 paper, you need to press SIZE + ENTER on the plotter to change the format.
 ==='''Pen Setup'''===
@@ Line 19: / Line 25: @@
 ==='''Serial Connection'''===
-You need to find out the COM port, as which the USB/Serial adaptor was registered in your computer. In Windows, you can find out in the Device Manager, in Mac OS, I don’t know yet.
+You need to find out the name of the serial port, as which the USB/Serial adaptor is registered in your computer. After connecting the USB/Serial adaptor to your computer, open a new Processing sketch and run the following program.
+ import processing.serial.*;
+ println(Serial.list());
+It will display a list of all available serial devices, in the console. In Windows, the ports are named COM1, COM2,... You can try all of them until you find the right one, or check the Windows Device Manager to find out. If you have a Mac, you need to look for a name like "/dev/tty.usbserial..." Copy that name from the console and use it one of the programs that are supposed to talk to the HP7475A.
 ==='''HPGL'''===
-The plotter only understands HPGL (Hewlett Packard Graphics Language). You can try the “HP7475A_live_input” sketch, to test some HPGL commands. You can find documentation about that language here: <br> <br>
+The plotter only understands HPGL (Hewlett Packard Graphics Language). You can try the [[Media:HP7475A_live_input.pde|HP7475A_live_input]] sketch, to test some HPGL commands. You can find documentation about that language here: <br> <br>
 [https://www.isoplotec.co.jp/HPGL/eHPGL.htm Simple but incomplete reference]<br>
 [https://archive.org/details/HP7475AInterfacingandProgrammingManual Full original reference (PDF)]<br>
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 Fortunately, there is a HPGL library for Processing, which can convert your sketches to HPGL files.
-Another approach is to export a .svg file with Processing and to convert it to .hpgl with InkScape. (The files produced by inkscape are not compatible with my “HP7475A_feed_hpgl_file_01” sketch yet). InkScape also has the option to directly send graphics to the plotter, but I had no good experience with that. It also needs original HP Pens (or 3d printed adaptors), as it sends SP; commands, which let the plotter attempt to change the pen, before beginning to draw.
+Another approach is to export a .svg file with Processing and to convert it to .hpgl with InkScape. (The files produced by inkscape are not really compatible with my “HP7475A_feed_hpgl_file_01” sketch yet). InkScape also has the option to directly send graphics to the plotter, but I had no good experience with that. It also needs original HP Pens (or 3d printed adaptors), as it sends SP; commands, which let the plotter attempt to change the pen, before beginning to draw.
@@ Line 39: / Line 51: @@
-==='''How to use the HPGLGraphics library in a Processing sketch?'''===
+==='''How to use the HPGLGraphics library to export a .hpgl file?'''===
   import hpglgraphics.*;
@@ Line 54: / Line 66: @@
   void draw(){
     beginRecord(hpgl);
-    // your code here (the graphics you wnat to export as hpgl file)
+    // your code here (the graphics you want to export as hpgl file)
+   // make sure that nothing is drawn outside of the canvas. The plotter seems to have problems with that.
     endRecord();
   }
+ void mousePressed(){
+   redraw();
+ }
 ==='''How to send a HPGL file to the plotter?'''===
-Use the “HP7475A_feed_hpgl_file_01” or “HP7475A_feed_hpgl_file_02” sketches, which are almost the same (only the buffer handling works differently). Both do not work perfect yet for each case, but almost. For very detailed graphics (for example the “noise.hpgl” file), version 02 works better. Instructions how to use the programs are in the comments
+Use the [[Media:HP7475A_feed_hpgl_file_01.pde|HP7475A_feed_hpgl_file_01]] or [[Media:HP7475A_feed_hpgl_file_02.pde|HP7475A_feed_hpgl_file_02]] programs, which are almost the same (only the buffer handling works differently). Both do not work perfectly yet for all cases, but almost. For very detailed graphics (for example the “noise.hpgl” file), version 02 works better. Instructions how to use the programs are in the comments.