Free online TIFF to HPGL converter

A plotter workflow may require HPGL, while the source artwork arrives as a TIFF scan or export. Converting it makes the image usable as plotter instructions, but raster pixels must be traced into paths rather than preserved as pixels.

What the TIFF format is

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) stores raster images, including scanned documents, drawings, photographs, and print-ready artwork. Scanners and graphics applications such as Adobe Photoshop and GIMP commonly create TIFF files; the format supports multiple color depths and compression options.

What the HPGL format is

HPGL (Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language) is a vector command format used by pen plotters and some cutting or printing workflows. It describes pen movements, such as lifting the pen and drawing between coordinates, so it suits line art and paths but does not retain photographic pixels.

How to convert TIFF to HPGL

Online on 101convert.com

1. Upload the TIFF file to the converter on the page.
2. Select HPGL as the output format and start the conversion.
3. Download the converted file. Multiple files can be converted in one batch; the page shows the per-file size limit.

Offline with desktop software

For black-and-white line art, a free command-line workflow uses ImageMagick, Potrace, and vpype. Install the three programs, then run:

1. Convert the TIFF to a thresholded bitmap: magick input.tif -colorspace Gray -threshold 50% input.pbm. Adjust the threshold if thin or faint lines disappear.
2. Trace the bitmap into vector paths: potrace input.pbm -s -o traced.svg.
3. Write the paths as HPGL: vpype read traced.svg write output.hpgl.

ImageMagick, Potrace, and vpype run on Windows, macOS, and Linux. For a graphical commercial option, CorelDRAW can trace a bitmap with Bitmaps → Outline Trace → Line Art; then use File → Export and select the HPGL/PLT format. Menu labels and available export formats can vary by release.

Quality and compatibility

Thresholding and tracing suit high-contrast drawings, logos, and diagrams. Photographs usually produce excessive or unusable paths, and fine details may be lost. Check the HPGL output’s scale, orientation, pen settings, and coordinate limits against the target plotter; the TIFF’s original resolution does not determine plotter output quality once it has been traced.