1. Quickstart & Typical Workflow¶

This guide takes you step by step from an existing vector file (SVG) to a finished pen drawing on paper.

Tip: You can try LINTO right away without physical hardware!
LINTO includes a built-in virtual software plotter (VirtualPlotter) that fully emulates the serial interface and firmware commands over your local network.

Installation¶

LINTO requires Python 3.11 or newer. The easiest way to install it is pipx (sudo apt install pipx or sudo dnf install pipx):

pipx install git+https://github.com/colorcube/linto.git
linto --install-desktop    # optional: entry with icon in the application menu
linto                      # start LINTO (or: linto drawing.svg)

Update with pipx upgrade linto. To uninstall, run linto --uninstall-desktop, then pipx uninstall linto.

Getting Started: With or Without Hardware?¶

Option A: With a Connected Plotter¶

1. Connect your plotter to your PC using a serial null-modem cable (RS-232 with RTS/CTS) or a quality USB-to-serial adapter.
2. Power on the plotter and load a sheet of paper.
3. Select your plotter model from the top toolbar (over 25 device profiles for Mutoh, Roland, Graphtec, US Cutter, Secabo, etc. are included).
4. See Chapter 4: Hardware Setup & Diagnostics for detailed cabling information.

Option B: Quick Test with the Software Simulator¶

If you do not have hardware set up yet: 1. Open a terminal and start the built-in emulator (e.g. with realistic drawing-time simulation):

python3 -m linto.emulator --tcp 9999 --realtime

The 5-Step Workflow¶

[ 1. Set Sheet ] -> [ 2. Import & Scale SVG ] -> [ 3. Check Pens ] -> [ 4. Simulate ] -> [ 5. Plot ]

Step 1: Set Sheet Size & Margin Profile¶

Click [ Page Setup... ] in the top toolbar:

1. Select Format: For example, choose DIN A3 and Landscape.
2. Margin Profile: Keep the default EXP (Expanded – maximum printable area).
3. Live Query (optional): If a physical plotter is connected, click [ Query Plotter ]. LINTO uses the OH; command to query the exact sheet dimensions directly from the machine's optical sensors.
4. Click OK. The canvas now displays the sheet with the red dashed hard-clip boundary.

(Details: Chapter 2: Layout & Object Management)

Step 2: Import & Align Vector Graphics¶

1. Drag and drop any .svg or .hpgl file directly from your file manager onto the canvas (or press Ctrl+O / Ctrl+I).
2. The artwork is loaded. During import, LINTO analyzes all stroke colors and assigns them automatically to pens 1 through 8.
3. Open the Transform dock on the right:
4. In the Position group, click [ Center ] (crosshair icon) to center the artwork on the sheet.
5. In the Scale group, click [ Fit to Sheet ] or [ Fit to Printable Area ] to enlarge the artwork to fit the area (you can set the desired margin in millimeters right next to it).
6. Use the [ + ] and [ - ] buttons (10% increments), the Zoom input field, or [ Original ] (1:1) to quickly adjust the size.
7. The lock icon ensures the aspect ratio stays proportional during scaling.

(Details: Chapter 2: Transform & Object Management)

Step 3: Check Pens & Colors¶

1. Check the bottom pen toolbar or the Pens & Colors dock to see which colors have been assigned to which tools (Pens 1 to 8).
2. If you want to draw a path with a different pen:
3. Select the object on the canvas or in the Objects & Layers dock.
4. Assign the desired pen number via right-click context menu or through the pen dock.

(Details: Chapter 2: Pen Palette)

Step 4: Switch to Output Mode & Simulate¶

Click the Output / Plot tab at the top:

1. Read Pre-Flight Statistics:
2. In the Output dock, you can immediately inspect:
   • Exact distance drawn on paper (Pen Down).
   • Air distance traveled between paths (Pen Up).
   • Time and travel distance saved by the automatic 2-Opt path optimization (typically 40% to 70%).
3. Simulation with the Scrubber:
4. Find the simulation bar below the canvas.
5. Click [ Play ] or drag the slider:
   • Cyan dashed lines show all rapid travel moves in the air.
   • Yellow dots indicate every point where the pen is lowered or lifted.
   • The crosshair cursor traces the sheet exactly as the physical plotter toolhead will.
6. Selective Plotting (optional):
7. If you have only a single pen holder or want to plot layer by layer, simply uncheck the pens you wish to skip in the current run.

(Details: Chapter 3: Output Mode, Simulation & Export)

Step 5: Send Plot to Device or Export File¶

1. Verify Hardware:
2. In the Output dock, click [ Probe Plotter (Inquiry) ].
3. On success, a green status banner appears:
   7585B (A3, 40 U/mm) • Hard-Clip: 390x287 mm.
4. Start Plotting:
5. Click [ Send Plot ].
6. Streaming runs in the background. The progress bar and toolhead cursor on the canvas show the live progress in real time.
7. [ Pause ]: Pauses transmission (e.g. to inspect ink flow).
8. [ Cancel ]: Triggers an emergency stop: the plotter immediately halts, lifts the pen (PU;), and parks it safely in the carousel (SP0;).
9. File Export (Alternative):
10. Click [ Export Plot File (.hpgl)... ] if you want to save the optimized machine file for execution at a later time.

(Details: Chapter 3: Live Plotting & Export)