topic Re: Can´t open PLT file in AutoCAD Forum

Can´t open PLT file

erik_f — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 08:35:56 GMT

I have created some PLT files from AutoCAD 2024 by checking the "Plot to File" option in the plot dialog.
However, I can't open the file using the "PLT2DWG" command.
The error I get when selecting my PLT file is: "The selected PLT file is not in the proper HPGL format."
What am I missing here?

Re: Can´t open PLT file

imankassab2015 — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 09:21:55 GMT

Imports legacy HPGL files into the current drawing, retaining all colors.

Plot output (PLT) files can be created in the legacy HPGL (Hewlett Packard Graphics Language) vector format. You can use PLT2DWG to import the HPGL data into an AutoCAD drawing:

Command: PLT2DWG
Enter the plot file <Drawing>: Specify the file name or enter ~ to display the File dialog box

The HPGL/2 format, the successor to HPGL, is device-dependent and not supported by PLT2DWG.

Note: PLT2DWG does not support Draftpro DXL and Draftpro EXL which are listed as options 6 and 7 in the Supported Models section under the Hewlett-Packard (HP-GL) ADI 4.2 - by Autodesk, Inc. device driver. Also, the default system printer and the HPGL/2 printer are not supported.

File

plt2dwg.lsp

accept my answer if it helps you...

Betreff: Can´t open PLT file

cadffm — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 09:43:32 GMT

Hi,

Command PLT2DWG and what you missing is explained above.

To check the .plt content, you should use a .plt VIEWER what supports hpgl .plt files.

Re: Can´t open PLT file

paullimapa — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 09:50:01 GMT

As the returned message states the "PLT2DWG" command only works on plt files that are created compatible to HPGL format. So the pc3 device you select to generate the plt file needs to conform to this standard

heres another thread awhile back on the same topic

https://www.cadtutor.net/forum/topic/14969-plt-to-dwg/

Re: Can´t open PLT file

imadHabash — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 09:54:24 GMT

Hi,

>> "The selected PLT file is not in the proper HPGL format."

This message indicates that the PLT file you are attempting to use is not a valid HPGL file, or at least not in a format recognized by the specific software or tool you are using.

After returning to Autodesk Support the answer was: " Some online resources offer conversion from PLT to other formats. Also, there are 3rd party software programs which can convert HP-GL/2 formatted PLTs into DXF and other formats."

Re: Can´t open PLT file

sharpl — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:24:42 GMT

plt2dwg.lsp: please post the code if possible. Thank you!

Re: Can´t open PLT file

cadffm — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:59:04 GMT

Hi,

it's already on your hdd and command is available and name: PLT2DWG

type in:

(findfile "plt2dwg.lsp")<enterhit>

Re: Can´t open PLT file

sharpl — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:32:31 GMT

I need to open the .plt but not HPGL format, I am trying the powershell code to convert it. I am not sure why Autodesk can't supply this 🤔 (year 2025, it is time)!

Re: Can´t open PLT file

cadffm — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 19:35:19 GMT

Hi,

and why did you ask for the hpgl tool plt2dwg??

It is 2025? Right! PDF is the filetype what rocks these days.

PLT was never a data exchange format and after 25years of hpgl2 and the power of pdf, I am sure Adesk will not offer a new convert/import tool.

If you need to convert plt to autocad editable cad format, search in www for

hpgl2 convert dxf

I can't offer links free&commercial tools, sorry

Re: Can´t open PLT file

cadffm — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 19:47:22 GMT

Hi again,

one sample hit (untested):

PLT 2 DXF

https://www.noliturbare.com/convert.php

Re: Can´t open PLT file

paullimapa — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 19:57:39 GMT

Now that you're aware that there's no option to convert NON HPGL2 formatted PLT files, simply just replot those drawings again but this time select Dwg To Pdf.pc3 to generate PDFs.

Then as long as the PDF content is vector based, you can use AutoCAD's built-in PDFIMPORT command to convert those PDFs back into AutoCAD dwg format.

Here's another option, contact your plot device vendor and inquire if they offer a software driver that produces a compatible HPGL2 formatted PLT file. If that is available install that and from now on only use that driver to generate PLT files.

Once you enter the HPGL2 formatted PLT world, then you can view the PLT as well as batch convert them to PDF using a software called ViewCompanion:

https://www.softwarecompanions.com/viewcomp.html

Re: Can´t open PLT file

sharpl — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 21:33:50 GMT

THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPLY, IT IS GOOD ONLY IF YOU CAN USE ALL KINDS OF THRID PARTY TOOLS 😑