How to Correct Mirror Text in AutoCAD?

Understanding Mirrored Text in AutoCAD

Mirrored text in AutoCAD can often be confusing, especially when it appears unexpectedly in your designs. This phenomenon typically stems from certain settings or actions taken in the software, such as the application of the MIRRTEXT variable, which controls how text behaves when it’s included in mirrored objects or drawings. Correcting mirrored text is vital for maintaining clarity and readability in your blueprints.

Fixing Mirrored Text: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Identify the Workplane:

   • Begin by recognizing which workplane you’re operating on. You can view this in the browser panel of AutoCAD, where all your layers and workplanes are listed.
2. Flip the Normals:
   • Right-click on the desired workplane. From the context menu, select “Flip Normal.” This action will adjust the orientation of the text, flipping it back to a readable state.

Why Does Text Appear Mirrored?

Several factors contribute to the text being mirrored in AutoCAD:

• MIRRTEXT Variable:

  • The MIRRTEXT system variable plays a crucial role in determining how text behaves when mirrored. By default, if this variable is set to 0, text will remain unchanged when its associated object is mirrored. If set to 1, it will flip the text direction, which can lead to issues if not intended.
• Block Insertions:
  • Text embedded within blocks can also appear mirrored if the entire block is flipped. This is particularly common when working with pre-defined components that may not always reflect your design intentions.

How to Mirror Text Intentionally

If the goal is to intentionally mirror text within your design:

1. Select the Dimension:

   • Choose the dimension containing the text you wish to mirror.
2. Use the Flip Option:
   • Locate and click on the grip for the dimension. Then, from the options, select “Flip text to opposite side of dimension grip.” This will create a mirrored version of the text.

Adjusting MirrText Settings

If you find that you need to mirror text without it flipping:

1. Access the Command Line:

   • Type MIRRTEXT into the Command line.
2. Change the Setting:
   • Modify the setting to 0. This adjustment will ensure that when objects are mirrored, the associated text remains unaffected.

Mirroring Objects with Text Attributes

If your design involves mirroring objects that also contain text attributes:

1. Activate the Mirror Command:

   • Click on the Home tab, navigate to the Modify panel, and select the Mirror tool.

2. Choose Your Objects:

   • Drag a selection box around the objects you want to mirror, including any text attributes.

3. Designate the Mirror Line:

   • Click to specify the first point of the mirror line, then click again for the second point.
4. Choose to Keep or Erase Original Objects:
   • After completing the selection, hit Enter. You will be prompted to retain the original objects or erase them. Choose accordingly.

FAQs

1. How can I check my MIRRTEXT setting in AutoCAD?

• To check your MIRRTEXT setting, simply type MIRRTEXT in the command line and press Enter. The value returned will indicate whether text is being mirrored (1) or not (0).

2. Is it possible to edit text once it has been mirrored?

• Yes, you can edit the text by selecting it and using the Properties palette or right-clicking and choosing the option to edit the text directly.

3. How do I make text vertical in AutoCAD?

• To create vertical text, go to the Home tab, select the Annotation panel, click on Text Style, choose the desired style from the list, and then enable the Vertical option before applying the changes.