Welcome to this in-depth tutorial on how to get rid of SHX in AutoCAD. If you are an AutoCAD user, you might have encountered the SHX font issue at some point. SHX fonts are typically used for displaying text in AutoCAD drawings, but sometimes they can cause problems and you may want to remove them from your project.
What is SHX in AutoCAD?
SHX stands for Shapefile Index. In AutoCAD, SHX files contain compiled shape or font definitions that enable the software to display text and symbols within a drawing. These files are essential for correctly rendering text in your designs.
Why would you want to remove SHX?
While SHX fonts are generally reliable, there are instances where they may cause issues. Some common problems include missing characters, incorrect display, or compatibility problems when sharing files with others who do not have the same font installed.
Steps to Remove SHX:
Step 1: Open the Drawing
Firstly, open the AutoCAD drawing that contains the SHX font you want to remove.
Step 2: Access Options
In the top menu bar, click on the “Application” button (the big red A icon) and select “Options” from the dropdown menu.
Step 3: Locate Files Tab
In the Options dialog box that appears, navigate to the “Files” tab.
Step 4: Find Support File Search Path
Scroll down until you find the “Support File Search Path” section. This section lists all directories where AutoCAD looks for support files such as fonts.
Step 4.1: Remove Specific Directory
If you know which directory contains the problematic SHX file(s), select it from the list and click on the “Remove” button. This will remove the directory from AutoCAD’s search path.2: Remove All Directories
If you want to remove all directories from the search path, click on the “Clear” button. This will empty the list of directories.
Note: Removing directories from the search path may cause AutoCAD to display missing font warnings when opening files that rely on those fonts.
Step 5: Save and Close
After removing the desired directories or clearing the entire list, click on “OK” to save your changes and close the Options dialog box.
Step 6: Restart AutoCAD
To ensure that your changes take effect, close and restart AutoCAD.
Congratulations! You have successfully removed SHX fonts from your AutoCAD setup. Now, when you open a drawing that previously used those fonts, AutoCAD should default to a different font or prompt you to select a replacement.
- To avoid potential issues with missing text or symbols in your drawings, it’s recommended to replace any removed SHX fonts with alternative fonts that are more universally supported.
- If you need to share your drawings with others who may not have access to specific SHX fonts, consider using TrueType (TTF) or OpenType (OTF) fonts instead.
- Remember that removing SHX fonts can affect how your drawings are displayed, so it’s essential to double-check their appearance after making any changes.
I hope this tutorial has been helpful in guiding you through the process of removing SHX in AutoCAD. Now you can enjoy a smoother experience without any font-related issues. Happy designing!