Comment 12 for bug 630639

attached is a proposal to produce a vector graphics printout. This particular method will work only on Windows, but if I understand the various reports correctly, this rasterization problem occurs only on Windows.

To use this method, copy the two files print_win32_vector.py and print_win32_vector.inx into the directory \Inkscape\share\extensions\. Then use the Inkscape menu item Extensions->Export->Win32 Vector Print. This will print only to the default printer, so you may need to modify the default printer ahead of time. When you run the extension, the Printing Preferences dialog should appear, which will allow you to specify page size, etc. Then click OK to start the print job.

The printout will be vector graphics as long as the line width is 1 pixel or less in printer units, so in Inkscape you may need to use a line width of 0.05 pixels, roughly. For testing purposes I am using the printer driver for an 'HP Laser Jet 1200 Series PCL 5e' printer at 600 dpi. At small linewidths it produces pure HPGL as desired (which in this case is cubic Bezier splines). At larger linewidths it produces a 'rasterized' output. In the 'rasterized' output the original spline is replaced by a sequence of dozens of very short lines, similar to what one might send to a CNC machine. In addition, each curve is drawn twice, in the opposite direction, to produce an outline shape. This behavior does not occur at narrow linewidths.

Since I do not have access to a true laser cutter, any feedback would be more than welcome.