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How to Set Pen Width during Conversion to PLT

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PLT is an image format associated with plotters — a type of printing devices that use vector graphics as input files, as opposed to regular printers, which can only print raster images. Plotters can be of different kinds, including pen plotters — printing devices using a pen to draw lines and curves on paper, and cutting plotters — using knives to cut shapes into paper or other types of materials.

Files with the PLT extension usually store maps, posters, detailed designs of machines and other types of monochrome or full-colored graphics. PLTs can be created using computer-aided design software, such as AutoCAD and Adobe Illustrator. Or they can be obtained via conversion from other image formats. The main advantage of PLT over other graphics extensions is that the image can be sent directly to the plotting device.

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Converting DWG with Referenced Drawings (Xref)

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Are you an architect or a designer? Then DWG (Drawing) is probably a format you use very often. Highly popular in the construction and engineering business, DWG files store sketches and building projects, maps and geometric data. They represent the native format of AutoCAD, which is probably the best known computer-aided design software.

One of the advantages of using the DWG format is the possibility to attach referenced drawings or XREFs. These are linked to the main drawing, but the best part is they are not actually inserted into it, which means they do not add to its file size. However, when an editing or update is made to the xref drawing, it also appears in the main DWG file.

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How to Convert EPS to CMYK

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EPS in CMYK

EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) is a vector graphics format particularly associated with Adobe Illustrator, but also compatible with other graphics design software, such as Corel Draw. The format uses the PostScript page description language and includes or “encapsulates” a low-resolution preview, which can be displayed by some programs.

Printing EPS files requires a machine which supports PostScript. For best results in terms of rendering colors and shapes from screen to paper, EPS images should be converted to CMYK color space before printing. In other words, the combination of colors used for representing the image should be changed from the primary colors of light — Red-Green-Blue (RGB), which is typical for TVs, computers and other types of backlit monitors — to the primary colors of pigment — Cyan-Magenta-Yellow and Key/Black, which is more suitable for the printed paper.

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How to Control Brightness and White Balance when Converting RAW Images

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Many professional photographers prefer shooting RAW images — instead of the more popular JPEG — for the obvious benefits of this format. When set in RAW mode, the camera’s sensor captures everything, or as close as you can get to what you see with your naked eye. This translates into great image quality, wonderful view of details and high levels of brightness, among others. Plus, during post-processing, photographers have the chance to customize RAW photos according to several criteria, retouching and adjusting colors the way they want.

As RAW images tend to take up a lot of space and sometimes slow down the camera, not to mention they are not viewable or printable using regular viewers or printers, their conversion to more accessible formats is an actual must.

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Set Up Automatic DWG to PDF Conversion with Watch Folders

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DWG to PDF via Watch Folder

DWG is one of the most commonly used formats in the construction industry. Created in the 1980s as a proprietary extension of AutoCAD — probably the best known software in this business — DWG is perfect for storing design and geometric data, building project and sketches, detailed maps etc. So if you are an architect, engineer, designer or have another profession connected to constructions, you probably use this format a lot.

Though extremely practical for storing detailed representations of building details, DWG files have the downside of being extremely large and offering a relatively limited compatibility with other software. That’s why most professionals in the industry choose to convert DWG vector files to PDF — which offers significantly wider accessibility options — when sending them to clients or partners who don’t have AutoCAD installed, for example.

If you are one of those professionals who need to handle a large number of DWG to PDF conversions on a regular basis, we have some great news for you! reaConverter offers a handy solution that helps avoid repeating the same set of operations over and over again, thus saving time and effort. Using the Watch Folders feature, you can now automate your conversions in no more than 4 easy steps.

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How to Convert PDF to PCL

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When preparing one or more PDF documents for print on a device that uses the Printer Command Language, converting to PCL is be the best solution. Compared to PDFs, PCLs files are faster to print and generally offer better accuracy for both fonts and graphics. PCL files are created for a particular printing hardware and shape the image data so as to best fit its requirements. This makes the printing process work quicker and generally be more effective.

Though initially created only for Hewlett-Packard printers, PCLs are now widely supported by many other brands as well, being considered a de facto printing standard, together with PostScript (PS).

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How to Set Default Units when Converting from Raster to Vector DXF/DWG

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Do you have a scanned drawing, a map or some other type of raster image that you would like to turn into a DWG or DXF vector? Supporting most existing raster formats as input files, reaConverter makes this process easier than ever and provides you with a handy scaling tool too.
Set DWG/DXF default units
Vectorization can be done using the two available methods: outlining (creating lines / curves along the borders of linked pixels) or centerlining (generating lines / arcs along the center of linked pixels). And because vector files can contain drawings at any scale set by the designer, when you convert from raster reaConverter allows you to pick the desired scaling unit for the output DXF or DWG image. Available options are: millimeters (set as default), inches and pixels.

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How to Convert PDF to PLT (“plotter”)

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Printing detailed maps, building projects or various types of full-colored graphics often works better when done via PLT than PDF files. As opposed to other comparable formats, PLT or “plotter” images are specifically designed for being printed with cutting plotters or other similar plotting devices. PLTs employ the HPGL language and can be created with several kinds of CAD software, such as AutoCAD, or through conversion. In case you have a PDF you intend to print with a plotter, reaConverter helps you handle the conversion quickly and effectively.

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How to Convert to PDF with CMYK Color Space

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How to convert PDF in CMYK

Comparing the quality of an image you see on a computer monitor with the one of its printed version might often leave you disappointed, especially if you are using a regular home printing device. Whether it is a PDF, a JPEG or TIFF, the problem persists. The image that looked bright and clear on your backlit screen somehow became faded and darkened once it came out of your printer.

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Converting 3D STL Models to DWG

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There is a variety of 3D graphics formats available out there and they can be created using quite a few types of specialized programs. From Autodesk software to Blitz3D and QuickDraw to Blender, there is a long list of software using over one hundred types of 3D output formats.

However, not all enjoy a lot of popularity and some provide more advantages than others. For this reason, converting between 3D extensions might be a great way to improve the accessibility of your files while at the same time preserving their quality content intact. And it can be done in no more than a few clicks using reaConverter’s latest edition.

For example, conversion from STL to DWG formats can not only be done fast and easy, but also includes a series of handy customizable features. STL is a computer-aided design (CAD) 3D format used in model prototyping through stereolitography, 3D printing and computer-aided manufacturing. While supported by several software packs, STL enjoys less popularity than DWG, which is probably the most widely used format for CAD modeling. A native format for Autodesk software, DWG is supported by most CAD programs, including AutoCAD, Caddie, IntelliCAD and many others.

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