I have a laser engraver which is controlled by it's own software. The software runs on windows 98 and is used for both designing what you want to cut or engrave AND for driving the device.
Currently, the software DOES work for controlling the engraver, but the software only supports pixel based images (bmp and jpg), so I am not able to "plot" out vector based (as in DXF or CAD based files) which is what I need to be able to do
According to the manual, I should be able to operate the engraver using a windows printer driver or from DOS. But I have been told by manufacturer that these options don't actually work.
The engraver is connected to LPT1 and their software specifies LPT1.
Is there a way, in Windows 98, to hijack, copy, split, hack or otherwise redirect the output of LPT1 to a file while simultaneously leaving a device attached to LPT1?
I would like to try to copy or direct the LPT1 output to a file so that I can see what kind of file the engraver is receiving. In order for the software to actually put data out thru LPT1, the engraver has to be attached.
The goal will be:
1) to copy the output to file -> LPT1test.txt
2) determine what kind of file is LPT1test.txt (hpgl?)
3) copy /b LPT1test.txt LPT1 to see if I can get a file to "plot"
Thank you
Steve