How to Turn Off AutoCAD SHX Text in PDF?

Understanding SHX Text in AutoCAD PDF Files

SHX text refers to shape files used in AutoCAD to define text and graphic representations that are not standard fonts. Often, when exporting drawings to PDF, SHX text can appear as comments, which might not be desirable for the final output. If you are looking for a way to turn off SHX text when generating PDF files from your AutoCAD drawings, follow the steps outlined below.

Step-by-Step Process to Disable SHX Text in AutoCAD PDF

1. Set EPDFSHX Variable

The first step to control SHX text in your PDF output is to adjust the EPDFSHX variable. This variable determines whether text objects using SHX fonts are included in the PDF comments.

• Open your AutoCAD 2025 application.
• Type EPDFSHX in the command line.
• When prompted, change the value from 1 (enabled) to 0 (disabled).
• Press Enter to confirm. This step will ensure that SHX text is excluded from comments when you export your drawing as a PDF.

2. Configuring PDF Options During Plotting

When preparing your drawing for printing or exporting to PDF, it is essential to set specific options to prevent SHX text from being included.

• Navigate to the Plot dialog by typing PLOT in the command line or selecting it from the print options.
• In the plot settings, select the printer/plotter named DWG to PDF.pc3.
• Click on the PDF Options button that you will find within the dialog window.
• Uncheck the option labeled "Include layer information." This will help streamline your PDF output and eliminate unnecessary layers from the final file.

3. Finalize and Save Your Settings

After configuring the settings to remove SHX text, you can proceed with the final actions before exporting.

• Click OK to save your PDF options.
• You can choose to save these settings for your current drawing or apply them to the printer configuration file (.pc3) for future use. This ensures that you won’t have to repeat this process every time you export a drawing.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

In some cases, even after following the above steps, you might still encounter issues with unwanted SHX text in your PDF files. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:

• Ensure that all SHX references in your drawing are properly managed. Sometimes, objects may reference SHX files that are not needed.
• Review the export settings in the PDF options again to confirm changes were correctly applied.
• Checking for AutoCAD updates may also help, as patches can resolve specific bugs related to PDF exports.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does the EPDFSHX variable do in AutoCAD?

The EPDFSHX variable controls whether text objects that use SHX fonts are included in PDF files as comments. Setting it to 0 disables this feature.

2. Can I permanently disable SHX text in PDFs for all future exports?

Yes, you can modify the EPDFSHX variable to 0 and save the settings in your .pc3 configuration. This will apply to all future exports unless changed.

3. What are SHX files used for in AutoCAD?

SHX files are compiled shape files used in AutoCAD to define custom shapes and fonts for specific text representations. They are essential for maintaining visual consistency in CAD drawings.