Preventing SHX Text from Appearing in AutoCAD PDF Outputs
When generating PDF files from your drawing in AutoCAD, you may encounter SHX text that you want to exclude. SHX files represent shape and font data used by AutoCAD, and sometimes preserving this information isn’t necessary for your PDF output. Fortunately, AutoCAD provides a straightforward method for disabling SHX text when creating PDFs. Follow the steps below to ensure that SHX elements do not appear in your exported PDF documents.
Steps to Disable SHX Text in AutoCAD
- Access the Plot Dialog: Start by opening the drawing in AutoCAD. Navigate to the ‘Output’ tab and click on the ‘Plot’ option to open the Plot dialog window.
- Select the Correct PC3 File: In the Plot dialog, locate the printer/plotter settings and choose ‘DWG to PDF.pc3’ from the list of available plotters. This selection directs AutoCAD to use the PDF output settings.
- Open the PDF Options: Click on ‘PDF Options’ within the Plot dialog to modify specific settings related to your PDF output.
- Adjust the SHX Settings: Within the PDF Options dialog, find the option labeled ‘EPDFSHX’. By default, this option may be set to 1, which means SHX text is included. To turn off the inclusion of SHX text, change this setting to 0.
- Finalize and Save Settings: After adjusting the SHX text option, click ‘OK’ to apply the changes. Then, you can choose to either save these settings to the current drawing or the pc3 file for future use. Make your selection before finalizing.
- Create the PDF: Return to the Plot dialog and click ‘OK’ to proceed with generating the PDF. The output will now exclude any SHX text based on the setting you configured.
Understanding SHX Files in AutoCAD
SHX files are integral to how AutoCAD handles text and shapes. They serve as a repository for font definitions and shape data, allowing designers to use diverse font styles and shapes within their drawings. However, when preparing a PDF output, retaining unnecessary SHX data can clutter your document. Knowing how to manage these files effectively helps in presenting a clean and professional output.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are the common issues related to SHX text in AutoCAD?
Common issues include SHX text not displaying correctly in PDFs or appearing as boxes. It’s crucial to ensure that the correct font files are available in the same directory as your drawing or use settings to exclude them in your output.
2. Is it necessary to have SHX files installed on my computer?
While using AutoCAD, having the correct SHX files installed is necessary for your drawing to display properly. If these files are missing, AutoCAD will substitute fonts, which may lead to text discrepancies or errors.
3. Can I permanently disable SHX text in all my AutoCAD settings?
No, the settings to disable SHX text need to be configured each time you create a PDF unless you save the adjustments specifically in the PC3 file settings for future use.
