AutoCAD generally supports two type of fonts TrueType with TTF extension and shape font with SHX extension. TrueType is Windows native font type which comes ready-made with your windows installation but shape fonts are AutoCAD specific fonts which are installed along with AutoCAD.
Note all variations too. Then, add (via Explorer) or transfer the latest version of the missing file type into the ACAD directory folder and Autocad will seach there first and then go one to a few assigned file folders in looking for that particular file type. Importing Shapefile into AutoCAD - Spatial Manager Blog Spatial Manager. Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Is importing into AutoCAD SHP (ESRI Shape) files.
In this article, I will explain methods of installing both the types of fonts and the best practices for transferring files containing these custom fonts. You can download TTF and SHX fonts used in this article from this link.
CAD software allows you to export elements of drawings as shape files. This can be a great time saver if you're re-using a mechanical part drawing multiple times.
I have created this video which explains this tip clearly. However, if you prefer to read the article instead then scroll down.
Installing Truetype Font:
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. For installing this font, you need to have administrator access on your PC.
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.
Add Shx Files To Autocad File
Installing Shape Font:
Installing a shape font is a little bit different from installing a Truetype font. In this case, you need to copy paste the SHX font file in the font directory of AutoCAD installation. You can find the path of SHX fonts using options window.
Add Fonts To Autocad
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.
Go to “C:Program FilesAutodeskAutoCAD 201XFonts” folder where X represents the version number of AutoCAD and copy paste the SHX font file. You will need administrator privileges for copying this font.
Once the fonts are copied restart the AutoCAD session and you will have your SHX font in the list of AutoCAD fonts.
Transferring files with custom font:
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. 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.
To get rid of this problem you need to ensure that fonts are always captured with your drawing.
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 transfer the drawing with fonts, save your drawing then type ETRANSMIT and press enter. Click on transmittal setups button on the Create Transmittal window and select Modify. 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.
Your transmittal package will now contain any additional fonts used in the drawing.
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.
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.
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ESRI SHP files store both geometry and attributes (data) for features. A single shape can have as many as five physical files with the same filename, but different file extensions.
To import from SHP
- Click Insert tabImport panelMap Import .
- In the Import Location dialog box, under Files Of Type, select shp.
- Select the file or folder to import. Click OK.
- For formats with additional options, in the Import dialog box, click Driver Options.
- In the Import Dialog Box, under Spatial Filter, specify whether to limit the area where data will be imported:
- None — Place no area limits on the incoming file.
- Current Display — Limit the import to the current drawing area.
- Define Window — Limit the import to an area you define. To use this option, click Select. Respond to the prompts to define the area.
- Specify the import settings for each input layer (see the Import dialog box for details).
- Drawing Layer— Select a target layer for each layer in the incoming file.
- Object Class— Assign incoming objects to an existing object class and map incoming attribute data to the data fields in the object class. The Object Class fields are available only if you have object classes defined in your map.
- Input Coordinate System— Specify the coordinate system of the incoming file. If the drawing has a coordinate system assigned to it, incoming objects are converted to the coordinate system of the drawing.
- Data— For each layer, specify how to import data.
- Points— For each layer, specify how to treat incoming point objects.
- By default, polygons are imported as polygon objects. To import them as closed polylines, select Import Polygons As Closed Polylines.
- Click OK to begin the import process.