HPGL 🖌

HPGL — Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language

Open Beta
.hpgl · application/vnd.hp-hpgl

HPGL is a text-based vector plotter control language created by Hewlett-Packard and publicly documented in 1984. It is not an image but a stream of ASCII commands (IN, SP, PU, PD, PA) the device executes as pen or blade movements. Over forty years HPGL migrated from pen plotters to vinyl cutters, laser engravers, and CNC. Our exporter generates HPGL directly: each map layer gets its own pen (1-8), polygons are closed, points are drawn as small crosses. HPGL has no labels — the output is clean outlines of roads, buildings, and water bodies.

Export HPGL now ✨ Open Beta — free, no limits

Key Features

Direct HPGL export (pure Python, IN/SP/PU/PD/PA commands)
A separate pen per map layer (pens 1-8)
Polygons auto-closed, points drawn as ~5 m crosses
Coordinates in plotter units (40 units/mm), scaled to page size
2D-only, clean outlines without raster or fills
Example HPGL export (central Moscow, 1x0.5 km)
Example: central Moscow, ~1×0.5 km, medium detail

What Program Opens HPGL Files

The following programs and applications can open, edit, and work with HPGL — Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language (.hpgl) files exported from OSM2CDR:

Inkscape (AxiDraw / pen-plotting extension) 💻LightBurn (лазер / laser) 💻Chiplotle (Python plotter driver) 💻Roland CutStudio 💻LaserGRBL

Format specifications

Who Uses HPGL Maps

🏗
Plotting a district outline on a vintage pen plotter (HP 7475A, Roland DXY)
💻
Cutting a vinyl sticker or panel on a cutting plotter (Roland GX-24)
📊
Engraving a map outline into wood or acrylic on a laser / CNC
🎨
Contour printing on a large HP DesignJet via the HPGL/2 driver

How to Export HPGL

1
Select area
Draw a rectangle or polygon on the interactive map at osm2cdr
2
Choose HPGL
Select HPGL — Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language from the list of 127 available export formats
3
Export
Click Export and receive your .hpgl file in 1-5 minutes
4
Download
Download the ready HPGL file and open it in Inkscape (AxiDraw / pen-plotting extension)

Popular maps in HPGL

Free

Get HPGL — Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language map exports

Download professional HPGL maps from OpenStreetMap. Instant generation, any area.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a ready file for a plotter or cutter?
Why are there no street names on the map?
How are colors assigned?

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