What Is SHX Text in AutoCAD?
AutoCAD is a widely used software in the field of computer-aided design and drafting. It offers a vast array of tools and features to enhance productivity and precision in creating technical drawings. One of the essential elements in AutoCAD is text, which allows users to add annotations, labels, and other textual information to their drawings.
SHX Text
In AutoCAD, SHX text refers to the special font format used for displaying text objects. The term “SHX” stands for “shape file” and “compiled.”
It is a proprietary font format developed by Autodesk, the company behind AutoCAD. Unlike regular system fonts that are installed on your computer, SHX fonts are specific to AutoCAD and can only be used within the software.
Why Use SHX Text?
SHX text offers several advantages over regular system fonts when it comes to working with technical drawings in AutoCAD:
- Consistency: By using SHX text, you ensure that the appearance of your text remains consistent across different computers and platforms.
- Compactness: Compared to system fonts, SHX fonts are typically more compact in file size. This can be beneficial when sharing or distributing drawings.
- Special Characters: SHX fonts often include a wide range of special characters and symbols that are commonly used in technical drawings.
- Editability: Text objects created with SHX fonts can be easily edited within AutoCAD. You can modify their properties such as height, width factor, rotation angle, etc., without losing any data or quality.
Using SHX Text in AutoCAD
To use SHX text in AutoCAD, you first need to load the desired SHX font file into your drawing. Follow these steps:
- Open your AutoCAD drawing.
- Navigate to the “Manage” tab in the ribbon menu.
- Click on the “Style Manager” button to open the Text Style dialog box.
- In the Text Style dialog box, click on the “New” button to create a new text style or select an existing style to modify.
- In the “Font Name” field, click on the dropdown arrow and select “Load.” This will open the Load or Reload Linetypes dialog box.
- Browse and locate the SHX font file (.shx) on your computer.
- Select the desired font file and click on “Open.
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- Back in the Text Style dialog box, you can now see your loaded SHX font listed under “Font Name. “
- Adjust other properties such as height, width factor, obliquing angle, etc., as needed.
- Click on “Apply” or “OK” to save your changes and start using SHX text in your drawing.
Conclusion
SHX text is a specialized font format in AutoCAD that offers consistency, compactness, special characters, and editability advantages over regular system fonts. By understanding how to use SHX text effectively, you can enhance the quality and efficiency of your technical drawings in AutoCAD. Remember to always load your desired SHX font into your drawing before using it in text objects.