INRO Consultants has introduced two new utilities for routing EMME/2 plot files to a variety of dot matrix printers and pen plotters. These programs are stand alone filters that may be used with, but are not part of the EMME/2 system.
GPR is a utility that reads in a EMME/2 plot file generated for a monochrome Tektronix 4014 terminal and generates bitmaps of variable size that can be spooled to any EPSON/IBM compatible dot matrix printer. GPL support 8 standard output formats, ranging from a tiny 1.5"x2" to preview contents a plot file, up to a wall filling 24"x36", produced as two 12"x36" stripes on 15" paper that are then glued together. Zooming and clipping allow the user to print only a part of the plot, e.g. clipping the EMME/2 frame and reproducing only the actual plot area. Also supported are multi page plot files, featuring access to individual plots within the file. Different printer models are supported by means of format configuration files. Therefore, the program can be adapted to new types of printers without having to recompile. Currently, GPR is available for DOS/DSI installations only.
The second utility, named GPL, is very similar in operation to the previously mentioned GPR. Instead of building up a bit map destined for dot matrix printers, it parses the EMME/2 plot file and transforms its commands into pen plotter instructions. The different plotter models are supported by means of format configuration files. Therefore, the program can be adapted to new types of plotter without recompiling. The current distribution contains configuration files for the HP/GL, DM/PL and MSX/DXY plotter command languages. Supported plotters include single and multiple pen model from Hewlett-Packard, Houston Instruments, Roland, Sony and others. Since GPL performs color optimization, it can also be used to produce multi color plots on a single pen plotter. All plot parts using the same color are drawn contiguously, prompting the user when a pen or paper change is necessary. GPL is available from INRO Consultants for UNIX, VAX and DOS/DSI installations.