topic Re: Custom SHX font overlapping problem in AutoCAD Forum

Custom SHX font overlapping problem

imuckyu — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 15:21:29 GMT

I am trying to create a custom SHX font from a SHP file using the COMPILE command.

I have specified the base insertion point when I created the SHP file.

When I try to test the SHX font it seems to just place all the letters on top of eachother. (basically all at the same point)

Is there a way to avoid this? I assume I need to have some kind of parameter to specify the distance between each letter? Like a start and end point?

Re: Custom SHX font overlapping problem

pendean — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 15:22:54 GMT

Share your SHP file here please.

Re: Custom SHX font overlapping problem

imuckyu — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 16:25:17 GMT

Here you go - I only made the letters A, B and C here.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PwyAKP3rP6nLgP_EkEZhn0D91p6hSqpE/view?usp=sharing

(for some reason I can't attach .shp file directly so here is a Gdrive link)

Re: Custom SHX font overlapping problem

Kent1Cooper — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 17:36:06 GMT

@imuckyu wrote:

.... I assume I need to have some kind of parameter to specify the distance between each letter? Like a start and end point?

You need to finish each character with a 002 pen-up code followed by a displacement [or sometimes more than one, depending on where on the character its definition ends], to move over to where the next character should start.

And if I may say so, those definitions looks quite complex given the simplicity of the characters in your image. The 4 and 3 multiplier/divider codes piled on each other seem convoluted, though I didn't study it all in detail.

Re: Custom SHX font overlapping problem

imuckyu — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 10:11:58 GMT

Where exactly can I specify the 002 pen-up code?

In the MAKESHP command it only asks for name, resolution and base insertion point.

Or do I need to add that code manually in the .shp code later?

How do I do that/What kind of code would I enter? Where can I read more about this?

Re: Custom SHX font overlapping problem

Kent1Cooper — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 12:14:26 GMT

Read about the special codes >here<, and look at the parent topic "About Shape descriptions" one up from there, as well as other related topics.

The big difference between font character definitions and shape definitions is the inclusion of the move-over-to-where-the-next-character-starts code at the end of font characters, which shape definitions don't need. That's why using MAKESHP doesn't define the shape correctly for use as a character in a font.

Re: Custom SHX font overlapping problem

imuckyu — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 12:51:14 GMT

Thanks for the link. I had a look at it.

In general I understand the overall concept (About Shape Descriptions)

*shapenumber,defbytes,shapenamespecbyte1,specbyte2,specbyte3,...,0

For the start/end position part I am still a bit confused. Do you happen to have an example?

So my current approach (below) is not the way to go then, is that correct?

1) Draw Letter
2) MAKESHP command => export as .shp

3) Change the shapenumber etc. manually in a text editor
4) COMPILE command => select previous .shp file => generate .shx file

Or should I use a different command/approach here?

Re: Custom SHX font overlapping problem

Kent1Cooper — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 15:58:33 GMT

If you're talking about making a font file, you also need to add the step of editing each shape definition to lift the pen and move over to where the next character would start. Here's the definition of the upper-case A in the ROMANS font:

*00041,39,uca
2,14,8,(-9,-21),14,5,8,(9,21),1,8,(-8,-21),2,8,(8,21),1,
8,(8,-21),2,8,(-13,7),1,0A0,2,8,(4,-7),14,6,14,8,(9,-9),0

The 2 is lifting the pen after drawing the last element in the character. The 8,(4,-7) is the move [over 4 units and down 7] to get the pen location to where the next character would start.

In the case of AutoCAD's .shx fonts, they're designed for the possibility of vertically-running text in a Style definition, which is what the 14's are about [14 is the same as 00E -- look at that in the Special-Codes page]. So this is more complex than you probably need -- the stuff after that pen move, with the 14's, is ignored if the Style is not set to run vertically, except for the concluding 0.

Re: Custom SHX font overlapping problem

imuckyu — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 22:05:11 GMT

Thank you that is very helpful!

One other question - how were you able to read the definition of the A letter from the ROMAN font?

When I open the .shx file in a text editor it shows unreadable text.

I can't find a .shp file that I could open. Or did you convert the .shx file to .shp format? If yes, how?

Re: Custom SHX font overlapping problem

cadffm — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 22:28:13 GMT

Answer: Install Expresstools, use DUMPSHX or other tools

[F1] dumpshx

Re: Custom SHX font overlapping problem

imuckyu — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 22:58:44 GMT

hm I do have ExpressTools installed but it does not show the DUMPSHX option (also not in the console)

Re: Custom SHX font overlapping problem

cadffm — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 23:09:17 GMT

"We" are talking your harddrive, the command console! [WIN]+[R] Open: CMD

for example if you like to dump a "d:\temp\romans.shx" file:

Re: Custom SHX font overlapping problem

imuckyu — Sat, 24 Jun 2023 11:00:59 GMT

Ahh - thanks a lot. That worked!