Software Companions - Gerber and HPGL Viewers

ViewCompanion

ViewCompanion version 8.20 is now available

Another update with great enhancements

New functionality includes support for reading Gerber file format, a new multiple pages per sheet
printing mode and several smaller improvements. A new option was introduced to make ViewCompanion
create even smaller TIFF files.
This update will be free for you if you purchased a ViewCompanion license, or renewed
software maintenance, less than 12-months ago.


What's new in 8.20

  • Added support for reading Gerber File Format, including both RS-274X and RS-274D variants.

  • Added a new print mode for printing more than one page on a single sheet of paper.
    Printing multiple pages per sheet is also called n-up printing (such as 2-up, 4-up, 6-up and more).
    The picture below illustrates how 4-up printing (2x2 pages per sheet) looks like in the print preview.
N-up printing illustration

  • We've added a new option for creating smaller TIFF files. In the previous versions, ViewCompanion was only able to write multi-strip TIFF files. The new option (enabled by default) will tell ViewCompanion to create single-strip TIFF files.
    Single-strip files are usually smaller (in terms of file size) than multi-strip files. A multi-strip file may, however, have some advantages (depending on the application):
    • Less memory may be used to process the image because an application can process one strip at a time.
    • Random access to image data is less complicated.

  • ViewCompanion will now by default create editable PDF files, and not PDF/A files. You can still create PDF/A compatible files, but you will now have to modify a setting (go to Tools->Options->Conversion->PDF and look for the option labelled Standard).

  • We've fixed a bug that caused pen table files to be ignored during batch conversion (ref #609).

  • And a few minor improvements and changes.
Please check the following pages for more details and download links:

ViewCompanion Standard
ViewCompanion Pro
ViewCompanion Premium

About ViewCompanion

ViewCompanion is a very powerful application for viewing, printing and converting files of multiple formats. The file formats supported by ViewCompanion includes PLT, HPGL/2, HP-RTL, Calcomp, Autodesk DWF, CGM, TIFF, CALS and more.

ViewCompanion is available as three different editions: ViewCompanion Standard, Pro and Premium. The Pro and Premium editions have tools for markup and support for raster formats. The Premium edition can also open PDF files.


About Software Companions

Software Companions is fully focused on developing powerful products for viewing, printing and conversion of file formats that are commonly used in the CAD/CAM market. They also develop and sell components that are used in applications developed by other companies.


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