Houdini Digital Asset, a wrapper for AxiDraw Python API which provides most of the available functionalities. It allows printing to the plotter straight from houdini, without exporting an .svg file or using inkscape at all. The HDA recognises polygonal lines and assumes the drawing is on the XY plane, with inverted Y so the plotter's HOME corresponds to Houdini's top left grid origin. The node can preview the design against the chosen paper size and provides additional functionalities.
- Preview design against chosen paper size
- Preview pen width
- Preview layer colors
- The integer point attribute i@layer can be used to define layers within a design
- Render preview for quick cataloging
- Export as SVG
- Trace paper size to ensure correct aligment
- Trace design bounds to ensure correct placement
- Extend plotter arm to easily align page
Note : The HDA is made using Houdini's indie license and it will most likely downgrade your session if you are using the full license.
Inside Houdini, open a Shell under the Windows menu and use these commands to install:
hython -m pip install svgwrite
hython -m pip install https://cdn.evilmadscientist.com/dl/ad/public/AxiDraw_API.zip
Tested and works in Houdini 20.5
If you use Houdini 18 or older, make sure you have a Python3.7 build. By default houdini 18 ship with Python2.7 so you may need to instal the appropriate build. https://www.sidefx.com/download/daily-builds/
You can also install the two python libraries manually. These are not provided in this repo, so please read their respective licenses.
The latest Axidraw API
https://github.com/evil-mad/axidraw
svgwrite
https://github.com/mozman/svgwrite/