All about HGL Files

The HGL file type is primarily associated with HPGL Viewer.

HGL	File extension: HGL
	File type:	vector graphics command file

What is an HGL file?

HGL files mostly belong to HPGL Viewer. HGL files contain a set of vector drawing commands using the Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language (HPGL).
These files instruct plotters and similar devices to produce graphics by moving a pen or laser along defined paths.

They use a text-based command structure.

They often implement the HPGL/2 standard, an improved version of the original language.

They are used in environments like plotting, laser cutting, and other CAD-related tasks.

Software like HPGL Viewer is commonly used to open and view these files. For additional details and tools, visit HPGL Viewer.
FilExt.com tip: This file format is a central part of systems that convert design data into precise, machine-executable drawing commands.

How to open HGL files

You need a suitable software like HPGL Viewer to open an HGL file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your HGL file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a HGL file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online HGL File Viewer

Choose your .hgl file to view

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How to extract texts from HGL files or capture a screenshot to PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...

You can extract texts from HGL file or capture a preview screenshot using our online HGL file viewer:

To do this, click the button "Choose your .hgl file to view" on this page.
After your file is opened in browser,
click "Save as..." in the menu.
Then choose the file format (e.g. JPG, PDF, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert HGL files:

HPGL Viewer
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. HGL files are often referred to as HPGL Viewer vector images because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
CST CAD Navigator (CAD File) by CADSoftTools
Enables to open and convert different 2D/3D files, get their dimensions and create section views. The software is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux. This file format is classified as CAD.
DN Highlight Groups Definition
HP Graphics Language (Plotter File)
Related links: SwiftView

HGL file format details:

If you know the file format, you can also find out how to open or edit the file. The first characters in a file identify the file format, for example, HTML files start with the bytes <html>. File extension, signature and file format must match; otherwise errors will occur when the file is opened. If there are problems opening a file, you must first determine the file format used. Our evaluation of the HGL files looks like this:

The HGL file extension is rarely used and covers different formats for different programs. However, the following two file formats are common:

20% of all HGL files use the same file format, which have the signature IN;. The content consists of readable text data, which can be read using a text editor. A typical file size is 38 KB. The files contain the following words: 0,0;VS 0;SP. An example of a file name is New Project.HGL.
20% of all HGL files start with the magic bytes 1B 25, which are always the first bytes of this file format. The contents of these files are easily readable with a text editor. The average file size is 190 KB with most files being between 34 KB and 500 KB in size. The files contain the following words: -1BBPINPU and LBDate.

The remaining 60% of all HGL files are different files with different signatures. They are often associated with drawing, sheet or comp. Drag & drop your file here to see the file format and a preview of your HGL file!

Technical Data for HGL File Extension

File classification:

Vector Image

Related files:

hpgl, plt, hp2, hpgl2, hp-gl, hpgl

Mime type:

text/xml

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: PaintShopPro8.Image, FileType: Paint Shop Pro 8 Image, AppName: Paint Shop Pro 8
EXEFile: Paint Shop Pro.exe

ProgramID: PaintShopPro8.Image, FileType: Paint Shop Pro Image, AppName: Paint Shop Pro 8
EXEFile: Paint Shop Pro.exe

ProgramID: PSP.Image, FileType: Paint Shop Pro Image, AppName: Paint Shop Pro Windows 32 bit Executable

ProgramID: PSP5.Image, FileType: Paint Shop Pro 5 Image, AppName: Paint Shop Pro 5 Release Executable
EXEFile: PSP.EXE

ProgramID: PSP7.Image, FileType: Paint Shop Pro 7 Image, AppName: Paint Shop Pro 7
EXEFile: psp.exe

ProgramID: ACDSee.hgl
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ACD Systems\ACDSee\5.0\ACDSee5.exe %1

ProgramID: HGL_UV
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Advanced Image Viewer and Converter\ImgViewer.exe %1

ProgramID: PaintShopPro
EXEFile: C:\PSP\PSP.EXE %1

ProgramID: PaintShopPro8.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 8\Paint Shop Pro.exe /dde

ProgramID: PaintShopPro9.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 9\Paint Shop Pro 9.exe /dde

ProgramID: PSP.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PAINTS~1\PSP.EXE /dde

ProgramID: PSP5.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PAINTS~1.01\Psp.exe /dde

ProgramID: PSP5.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PAINTS~1\Psp.exe /dde

ProgramID: PSP5.Image
EXEFile: F:\PAINT~14\Psp.exe /dde

ProgramID: PSP7.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 7\psp.exe /dde

ProgramID: PSP7.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Paint Shop Pro 7\psp.exe /dde

ProgramID: HPGLFileType
EXEFile: C:\P3WIN\P3PROGS\PRMLOOK.EXE %1

ProgramID: XnView.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\XnView\xnview.exe %1

ProgramID: PSP6.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PAINTS~1\psp.exe /dde

ProgramID: PaintShopProX.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Corel\Corel Paint Shop Pro X\Paint Shop Pro X.exe

ProgramID: PictureIt!.Picture
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Picture It! Express\PICTURE.EXE /nostartup /nointro

ProgramID: PaintShopProPhotoXI.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Corel\Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo XI\Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo.exe

ProgramID: application/vnd.hp-HPGL
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\SwiftView\sview.exe

Show all 23 listings To Top

an hgl vector graphics command file is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with HGL files

Associate the HGL file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open vector graphics command files. Because only the current version supports the latest HGL file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the manufacturer website after an available HPGL Viewer update.
To make sure that your HGL file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .HGL file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.