custom symbol in text

[peysey]

Hi all,

How can I make a custom symbol that appears or could be placed as text in Autocad?
I have added a screenshot for better understanding the question.

I already did make a shape and a .shx format and used the commando "COMPILE", but the created .shx file doesn't appear in the fontlist. Not even after restarting Autocad..
Tried the "LOAD" command, but that didn't help neither..

Thank you in advance!

[tedg]

I don't have an answer for you, but can you tell us why you want it to be a "text" item?
Maybe there's another (easier) way to achieve what you're doing?

Maybe explain how this is used? The end result?
Like a user fills in text? in a block attribute? fields?

[rkmcswain]

When you made your shape (.shx) file, did you make a FONT or SHAPE?
Both are similar in nature and share file extentions, but they are not compatible.

See: http://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/20...8-2EBB38DE6563

If the shape definition file defines a font, you use the STYLE command to define a text style. Then, you add text to a drawing to use the characters defined in the compiled shape file. If the shape definition file defines shapes, you use the LOAD command to load the shape file into the drawing. Use the SHAPE command to insert the specified shapes into the drawing.

If you create a new shx font file, and create the desired character within this file, then it will be assigned to whatever keystroke you assign to it.
If you create this object as a shape, then it can't be embedded into a TEXT or MTEXT object. You'll have to insert it using the SHAPE command.

[Ed Jobe]

Like RK mentioned, the syntax in a shp file is a lot different for a font than a shape. I suggest modifying an existing font shx file for your own use. For example, "simples.shx". Decompile the shx to an shp using the dumpshx.exe file located in "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20##\Express". Pick a key that you want to assign the shape to. Use the windows character map app to find a key that you don't normally use. Then locate that key's definition in the shp file and substitute the definition part with your own code. Leave the key assignment syntax alone. Then save the shp file to a new file name, like MySimplex. Now compile it to an shx and define a text style that uses your new font.

[cadtag]

my first thought is 'what the heck does that symbol mean??".

My second is "why try to create a font glyph for a symbol that few people will have any idea what it stands for?".

and my third is that if you do proceed, no-one will be able to open the drawing file unless they have your specially modified (*and renamed) font file. Is that really what you want??

[rkmcswain]

..... if you do proceed, no-one will be able to open the drawing file unless they have your specially modified

@sefa -- to clarify, the DWG file will open just fine, but any text strings that use your custom (and unavailable) font will either be empty (not display), or if the end user has font substitution enabled, some other font (which doesn't include your custom symbol) will be used and where the symbol is will either display nothing or some other character.

Another option in this case would be to "Explode" your text using TXTEXP or WMFOUT/WMFIN prior to exporting your drawing for outside consumption.

[Tom Beauford]

Why not just use %%C to get ∅ which should work with almost any font and any PC without needing an extra shape file?

[tedg]

Why not just use %%C to get ∅ which should work with almost any font and any PC without needing an extra shape file?

I actually thought of that too when I first read it, but I wasn't sure what the "symbol" totally was, like is that "=" above it part of it?

[peysey]

Guys,

Thank you very much for trying to resolve this one.
However, it is working now. A friend gave me a .shx file. I have put that one in the right folder and it did work!

I still want to try myself, because I want to know how it worked! So in the future I will try with the help of your comments you already gave above.
For now, it is working

[Calteq]

Hey

In my version 2014 in the text edit box right click and in the popup menu select 'Symbols' and select the symbol required.
or
If you have a num pad on the keyboard, what ever software you're using, hold the 'alt' key and on the numpad input 0248 for ø or 0216 for Ø