Opening HPGL Files

The HPGL file type is primarily associated with ABViewer.

HPGL	File extension: HPGL
	File type:	plotter document

What is an HPGL file?

HPGL files mostly belong to ABViewer by CadSoft Tools. HPGL is the filename extension of plotter files encoded as binary or text data in Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language (HP-GL). It is used as a vector-based drawing interchange format for printers and plotters. Files stored in this format contain printer control data stored as a series of two-letter commands, optionally followed by two sets of integers which typically represent coordinates. For example, an absolute arc drawn in a HPGL file may be represented as AA100, 100, 50;, where AA is short for the Arc Absolute command, and the arc is placed at the center of the 100, 100 coordinates starting at a 50-degree angle measured counter-clockwise. Unlike most vector graphics formats that use points, HPGL represents graphical data as a series of lines. HPGL printer control language was originally designed for Hewlett-Packard plotters. Some variants of the format are supported by InkJet and LaserJet printers.

How can I open an HPGL file?

You need a suitable software like ABViewer to open an HPGL 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 HPGL file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a HPGL file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online HPGL File Viewer

Choose your .hpgl file to view

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How to convert an HPGL file to SVG, PDF, JPG, PNG, ...

If you want to convert or edit an HPGL file, you can use our free Online HPGL File Converter (powered by Convert.Guru):

To do this, click the button "Choose your .hpgl file to view" on this page.
Your HPGL file will then be displayed in the browser.
Now click on "Save as..." at the top of the page.
Then choose the image format (e.g. SVG, PDF, JPG, PNG, ...) you want.
Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert HPGL files:

ABViewer by CadSoft Tools
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. HPGL files are often referred to as ABViewer vector images because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
CAD file by CST CAD Navigator
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.
CorelDRAW (plotter document) by Corel
CorelDRAW is a vector graphics editor and desktop publishing software with an array of tools for creating web, desktop, and print designs. Like most vector graphics illustration programs, CorelDRAW supports HPGL file format. This file format is classified as Vector Image.
XnView (plotter document) by XnSoft
XnView is an image manipulation and file management software for desktop and mobile platforms. You can view or print HPGL plotter files with XnView. This file format is classified as Vector Image. Related links: HP Designjet Printers - HP-GL/2 Language vs HP-GL Language Information, HP-GL

HPGL format details:

If you can determine the file format, the associated program can also be determined. A file format is determined by the file extension and signature, so JPEG images have the extension .jpg and the first bytes in the file are ÿØÿ. However, different programs can use the same file extension, and file extensions can be assigned incorrectly. Exact knowledge of the format is therefore important in order to solve problems occurring in files. Our analysis of the HPGL files produces the following result:

The HPGL file extension is not common and is used by different programs with different formats. However, the following two file formats are common:

35% of all HPGL files belong to Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language. These files are text files, so they contain words and text. The files are on average 69 KB in size and range from 4 KB to 190 KB. The files contain the following words: LECTRA.
15% of all HPGL files start with the bytes 1B 25 crucial for this file format. These files contain text and words as well as binary data. HPGL files are between 12 KB and 1 MB in size. The keywords -12345X are typical for these files.

The remaining 50% of all HPGL files are different files with different signatures. You can get all the details of your HPGL file by dragging it onto this page or by clicking the button "Choose your .hpgl file to view" above.

Technical Data for HPGL File Extension

File classification:

Vector Image

Related files:

hpg, plt, hpgl2, hp2, plx, hgl, prn, model, pages, pub

Mime type:

application/vnd.hp-hpgl

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: ICPlus, AppName: ImageEditor Plus
EXEFile: ICPlus.exe

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

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

ProgramID: ImageView.Document.hpgl
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\EAI\VISPRO~1\Products\VISVIE~1\VisView.exe

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

Show all 5 listings To Top

an hpgl plotter document is a special file format by CadSoft Tools and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with HPGL files

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