awesome-plotters

Pen plotter from , very popular on #plottertwitter

A cute little kickstarted robotic drawing arm

3d-Printable AxiDraw clone w/ Arduino CNC Shield controller running grbl firmware

Yet another 3d-printable AxiDraw clone w/ Arduino CNC Shield controller running grbl firmware

XY art robot and software to plot with watercolor paints

Pen plotter for egg-shaped and spherical objects

Vintage desktop and floor-standing pen plotters from the creator of the HPGL standard. Model 7475A is very common and can usually be found on eBay

Vintage flatbed HPGL pen plotters. Search eBay for "roland dxy"

A cheap and simple plotter made from sticks, servos, and a Raspberry Pi running Python. Here's from the creator

A fairly simple 3d-printed AxiDraw-style plotter with good video documentation

PlotterXY

A coreXY plotter made from extrusion, 3d-printed parts, and an inexpensive 3d-printer control board

The successor to the popular AxiDraw pen plotter

grblShield

All the stepper motor control hardware needed to turn an into a G-code-based motion controller using the grbl firmware. ( )

TinyG

More featureful and robust 6-axis G-code-based motion control hardware. ( )

Grbl-compatible stepper motor control shield for Arduino, similar to the grblShield

Raspberry Pi add-on board w/ stepper controllers and a microcontroller running grbl. Interfaces with the Pi's serial pins

USB-based dual stepper motor controller board, originally designed for the EggBot

Wifi to RS-232 serial via a DB25 plug. Control your serial plotter wirelessly

Schematic for a plotter cable that will work for most HP and Roland plotters. Search eBay or Amazon for or similar to find them for sale

PlotAdapter

"Serial-GPIB converter for HP Plotters", uses an Arduino microcontroller to convert serial HPGL to the GPIB/HP-IB expected by some older HP plotters

3d-printed adapter to fit a standard Sharpie in an HP-GL plotter

Adjustable model to print adapters for various pens

Accurate STL models of both short and long standard plotter pens

List of pens suitable for general plotter abuse

Egg- and glass-focused pen recommendations but still generally applicable information

A comprehensive review of many white ink pens, with pictures of their coverage characteristics

Chiplotle

Python library for generating HPGL and interfacing with serial plotters

Chiplotle3

Chiplotle fork updated for Python 3.x compatibility

HTML-based HPGL Reference

Scanned PDF manual that contains a full HPGL reference

djipco/hpgl

A Node.js library to communicate with HPGL-compatible plotters and printers

GNU tool to convert HPGL into other vector and raster formats. Can also be used as a previewing in X11

vec

Example C code for generating HPGL, with a turtle graphics interface

d3-hpgl

An adapter for the HTML Canvas API so you can output HPGL using the popular library

HPGL Viewer

An HPGL Viewer using JavaScript and HTML5 canvas

HPGL Sender

A web interface for previewing HPGL and sending it to your plotter

HPGLGraphics

A Processing library for writing HPGL files

processing2hpgl

A Processing library that allows for direct communication with HPGL pen plotters from within a Processing sketch

grbl

A high-performance G-code interpreting firmware for the Atmega 328 microcontroller and Arduino

cncjs

A web-based interface controlling CNC machines running grbl, TinyG, or other G-code-based firmware

node-gcode

Node.js G-code interpreter and simulator

svg2gcode

Node.js command line utility for converting SVG to G-code

svg2gcode

Python utility for fast SVG to G-code conversion

A web-based utility for converting SVG to G-code

Universal-G-Code-Sender

Java-based grbl-compatible cross-platform G-code sender

Modular web-based workspaces to visualize G-code and control hardware

gcode-generative-for-processing

Processing library, aiming to create gcode from simple shapes. (Designed for usage with the Creality CR10)

gcodeplot

Python utility to convert SVG and HPGL to G-code for a 3-axis CNC machine

axidraw

Official AxiDraw extensions for Inkscape

axi

Unofficial Python library for the AxiDraw v3

xy

Utilities for the Makeblock XY Plotter Robot Kit

LaserGRBL

Laser-optimized Windows GUI for grbl controllers. Could be repurposed for DIY pen plotters that use a solenoid for pen up/down movements

Line-us Inkscape Plugin

Sends drawings to the Line-us plotter directly from Inkscape

Line-us API Examples

Example code for the Line-us plotter's G-code-based API

@beardicus/line-us

JavaScript library for controlling the Line-us machine from Node or the browser

PenPlotter

Polargraph controller that uses repetier firmware

Makelangelo-firmware

Firmware for the Makelangelo polargraph robot

RoboPaint

Software for the WaterColorBot

AxiTurtle

Turtle graphics for AxiDraw in Processing

GRBL-Plotter

Plotter-optimized Windows GUI for grbl controller with SVG and DXF import, and flexible pen up/down control

saxi

Driver and library for the AxiDraw. Uses constant-acceleration motion planning and automatically resizes to paper

MP2300-Tools

Software for converting HPGL to Graphtec's GPGL format, as well as CAD files for a Graphtec plotter pen adapter

Inkcut

Application for controlling 2D plotters, cutters, engravers, and CNC machines

pypenwriter

Python script to convert and send SVG drawings to the Panasonic PenWriter family of typewriter plotters

Popular cross-platform open source vector graphics editor

"JavaScript library that makes coding accessible for artists, designers, educators, and beginners"

"The Swiss Army Knife of Vector Graphics Scripting"

ln

Vector-based 3D renderer written in Go

autotrace

Converts bitmap images to vector graphics

stipplegen

Creates interesting stippled drawings from bitmap images. ( )

SquiggleDraw

"SquiggleDraw will create a SVG file from an image, using the brightness to change the amplitude of sine waves"

Web-based PNG to SVG creative noodler

maptrace

Produce watertight polygonal vector maps by tracing raster images

Drawbot_image_to_gcode_v2

Creates G-code for use on drawbots

blackstripes

Turns a PNG image into a SVG line drawing

Ribbon

Ribbon diagrams of proteins in written in Go

penplot

A development environment for plotter art in JavaScript

penkit

A Python library for creating line-based SVG graphics

generativeExamples

Example Processing code that generates plottable PDFs

Web-based tool to export an SVG map from Mapzen tiles

A generative art library for Python that can export SVGs

A generative line art web app

scribbleplot

Scribbly image transformations in Processing

Library for creating 2D vector drawings for CNC and laser cutter machines

Browser-based JavaScript turtle graphics API with SVG export

cozyvec

Web/Standalone terminal environment for plotter art and tweet plots

An notebook collection full of plotter-oriented work

Browser-based Image to SVG converter similar to SquiggleDraw

Dependency-free lightweight library for creating, manipulating, and animating SVG

Experimental computational design platform for exploring generative space

DrawingBotV3

Cross-platform software for converting images to line drawings

linedraw

Python tool to convert images to sketchy vector line drawings

Interactive website for hidden line removal of STL files to generate plottable SVG. Also supports Red/Blue 3D glasses

plotting-maps

A simple web tool to create OpenStreetMap SVG maps for plotting

ThreadPlotter

"A toolkit for the design and fabrication of delicate punch needle embroidery using X-Y plotters"

Plottable random line drawings from your images

A bunch of web-based pen plotter tools with SVG output

A tool for generating flow line representations using SVG paths / polylines

A web-based generative art thing with SVG export

A web-based tool for creating multiplication mandalas

A web-based radial lines vector generation tool with SVG export

svgsort

Path planning for plotting SVG files, reduces time spent moving with the pen up

svgo

Node.js-based tool for optimizing SVG files

Polargraph Optimizer

Optimize drawing plan for a polargraph

penkit-optimize

An SVG optimizer that uses a vehicle routing solver to minimize plot time

svg-crowbar

Chrome-only bookmarklet for extracting SVG from an HTML document

vpype

Plotter-focused Python-based CLI utility for generating and manipulating SVGs, including scaling and optimizing paths

A browser-based tool to crop SVGs using different primitives, custom shapes, or other SVGs

Good information and links to other resources and fonts

format of vector fonts from the 60s. Includes a good overview of the original data format of the fonts

hershey-fonts

C library and original font data for the Hershey fonts

Single-line fonts in an SVG format, mainly for use with the Inkscape plugin

Browser-based Hershey Text tool with export to SVG

hf2gcode

Generates G-code from text with a Hershey font

FifteenTwenty: Commodore 1520 plotter font

about the creation of this font from the original ROM

Good info on getting started with old HPGL plotters

Another getting started article with modern pen plotters

Some basics of programming vector paths, including sorting, joining, and simplifying

Nice 13-part walkthrough of interesting algorithms

Quickstart guide for a Roland flatbed plotter

Detailed explanation and examples of an interesting algorithm

OG plotter artist

The original cable-based drawbot from 2002

A two-part intro to creating generative graphics for plotting

Deep dive into surface projection and hidden line removal using Python and penplot

Techniques for creating line-based fractal graphics

Resources for traveling salesman problem (single path) art

Discussion and links to code for wireframe removal of STL files

Lots of nice tips, not all specific to the Axidraw, plus some pen reviews and handy 3d-printed tools

Good overview of the AxiDraw and its clones, plus some DIY options

Nice video introduction to modern plotters in 2022

Research paper on the novel workflows of the plotter community ( )

An immersive digital installation with plotter output of Martian topography

Nice video showing an HP 7470A operated from an HP 85 computer

Video of an HP 7475A plotting some demos

Video showing how to open, clean, and refill vintage HP plotter pens

Video of the Commodore 1520 plotter in action, including a cover-off shot of the mechanism

Video with some HPGL and plotter history, plus operating an HP 7475A from an IBM 5160 microcomputer

A great collection of info, ephemera, plot files, three YouTube videos, and a 3d-printable replacement part for the HP 7475A

"A Brief History of Technical Lettering Tools"

Nice writeup (with videos) of an interactive plotter art exhibit at SIGGRAPH 2023

A handheld recording of the Taxan KPL 710 running its demo plot

A recording of the Sweet-P SP-600 running its demo plot

Blog post about building a cylindrical pen plotter for drawing on wine bottles

Blog post and video about converting an Atari 1020 plotter to use a ESP32-based GRBL controller

Photo gallery of the plotter's exterior, interior, and packaging

Blog post mainly about using vinyl cutter parts as pen holders

Interview with Marcel, and lots of photos and videos of his work and workspace

Interview with Lars Wander, plus art and videos

A RustConf talk with very little Rust, more about the creative process of generative art and pen plotters

Conference talk with lots of great computer and plotter history

Q&A blog post with lots of details about more painterly plotting

Blog post by Licia He about a successful 100 day plotting challenge

Aritma Minigraf 0507 video

Blog post on the Aritma Minigraf 0507 plotter from Czechoslovakia

The video description has some interesting details about this plotter

Article about using a Colorgraf 512 plotter with OrCAD 386 for making printed circuit boards

Good art history lesson with lots of plotter-relevant artists

Great exploration of creating handwriting with p5.js and some custom tools

Website with scanned schematics and manual

A higher-quality scan is also available as

Rev 1178

Revs 1080, 1178, 0480

This doesn't present as a flippable book on the archive, but the original page scans are still available for download

Also see with pictures of this device

Multiple articles about the development of the HP Model 9872A and 7221A pen plotters

Multiple articles about the development of the HP Model 7580A plotter

Multiple articles about the development of the HP Model 7580A plotter

Multiple articles about the HP Model 7470A plotter

article on page 36 (PDF page 40)

( )

A book about plotters and digitizers

Promotional video showing a flatbed CalComp plotter and its output

Four-page color marketing brochure with attached suggested retail price list

Review of the three-color Penman robotic plotter

There's a Strobe Model 100 Graphics Plotter drawing bar charts at 4:57

Also see

Vera Molnar

A work-in-progress course by Licia He, to be released September 2024

In-person meetups (SF and NYC so far) with talks and plotter art galleries

Discord forum with an active community

Community for sharing SVG files for plotters