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To do this select the PDF plotter like DWG to PDF.pc3 from the Plot window and select the PDF Options button and then ensure that “Capture fonts” option is selected for TTF fonts or “Convert all text to geometry” option is checked for shape fonts as shown in the image below. If you are transferring drawing using a PDF plotter then ensure that fonts are either captured in the PDF or they are converted into geometries. Your transmittal package will now contain any additional fonts used in the drawing. In the Modify Transmittal Setup window select the Include fonts check box as shown in the image 3 below and click on OK to close all open windows. Click on transmittal setups button on the Create Transmittal window and select Modify. To transfer the drawing with fonts, save your drawing then type ETRANSMIT and press enter. You can do that by E-transmitting your drawing with the font and if you are transferring the file as PDF then you should ensure that TTF fonts are captured in the PDF file and shape fonts are converted into geometries because PDF’s does not recognize shape font. To get rid of this problem you need to ensure that fonts are always captured with your drawing. If you transfer this AutoCAD file containing custom font to the recipient who does not have this font then AutoCAD will display a substituted font or it will not display text at all.
The fonts mentioned in the article above are installed on your local PC and when you use them in your drawing it will remain visible only on your PC. Once the fonts are copied restart the AutoCAD session and you will have your SHX font in the list of AutoCAD fonts. You will need administrator privileges for copying this font. The SHX font contained half-stacked fractions in 16th increments. Since Acad dims use mtext, and mtext uses TTFs, this was a logical path.
Go to “ C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 201X\Fonts” folder where X represents the version number of AutoCAD and copy paste the SHX font file. I recently needed to convert an old SHX AutoCAD font originally created by my boss for AutoCADr10 to AutoCADr14 in a TTF font.
Type OP on the command line and press enter, then select File tab and expand the Support File Search Path tree and you will see the path where SHX fonts are installed as shown in the image 2 below. You can find the path of SHX fonts using options window. In this case, you need to copy paste the SHX font file in the font directory of AutoCAD installation. Installing a shape font is a little bit different from installing a Truetype font. Once the font is installed close the AutoCAD window completely and restart a new AutoCAD session, the font will now be among the list of fonts. For installing this font, you need to have administrator access on your PC.
Here is a quick Video showing you how to import a PDF file into AutoCAD and then Recognize the SHX text changing those lines to editable text objects.To install the TrueType or TTF font simply right-click on it and select Install from the right contextual menu as shown in the image 1 below. Here is where you can recognize the SHX Text, Change Settings and Combine Text. Once you drawing is imported follow the workflow on the ribbon.
When you import the file you get lines and arcs that define the text object. When a PDF file is created from an AutoCAD drawing, text that was defined with SHX fonts is stored in the PDF as geometry. Notes: Adobe’s PDF file format doesn’t recognize AutoCAD SHX fonts. On the insert tab of the Ribbon select the PDF Import button. The PDFIMPORT command imports PDF data into AutoCAD as 2D geometry, TrueType text, and images. AutoCAD 2017 introduced the ability to import PDF files. PDF files are the most common file format used when exchanging design information between designers, contractors, clients, and others. Unlike other fonts, SHX fonts import as lines, arcs, circles, and other geometry instead of text. You ensure good text recognition by specifying the SHX font name used. This post will show you how to convert SHX font geometry to text after importing a PDF file in AutoCAD. As CAD managers, drafters, and designers, we all need at some point to look at a pdf file, import the file, and in some instances use and edit the text as well.