topic Re: Curved Text in AutoCAD . . Still clunky and a pain? in AutoCAD Forum

Curved Text in AutoCAD . . Still clunky and a pain?

BryGuy_AK — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 19:44:18 GMT

After all these years why is simple curved text in AutoCAD still a clunky feature? The ‘Arc Aligned’ express Tools feature is ancient and annoying to use, am I missing something?
They need to give text the same curving abilities as polyline. Right-Click and select ‘Convert to Straight Text’ or ‘Convert to Arc Text’, middle grip allows you to bow the middle and end grips control the width just like MText , Properties palette allow fine tuning for spacing, sizes, and what not.

With all AutoCAD and it’s verticals 'can' do I'd think curved text would be a simple and basic feature by now.

Re: Curved Text in AutoCAD . . Still clunky and a pain?

pendean — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 19:56:45 GMT

@BryGuy_AK That free Express Tool is the same one released back in R2000 I believe. Literally.

Why not use better free tools that exist out there instead? The rest of us that need more do so.
The AutoCAD app store has a healthy list to try https://apps.autodesk.com/ACD/en/List/Search?isAppSearch=True&searchboxstore=ACD&facet=&collection=&sort=&query=text+on+arc

Re: Curved Text in AutoCAD . . Still clunky and a pain?

BryGuy_AK — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 20:21:51 GMT

Thanks

Yep, I’m aware of the app store, and use it occasionally. I think simple curved text should be a simple and basic feature in the base AutoCAD application. I used a workaround that proves it’s very possible, I have and use Civil 3D so used its basic annotation along a line, a curved line in this case, set the style parameters (text height), then right-click and selected Edit Text. Now I have an arc line (on Defpoints) and text on a text layer, with grips to slide and move everything. Works good enough, just seems this or similar should be in the base application for text.

Re: Curved Text in AutoCAD . . Still clunky and a pain?

pendean — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 21:39:18 GMT

@BryGuy_AK This is not the C3D forum, that is over here
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/civil-3d/ct-p/4003
Glad it offers a workaround that seems to work for you. That's great.

Feel free to tell AutoCAD about your discovery and wishlist here https://www.autodesk.com/company/contact-us/product-feedback where they look for feedback from us end users (there is no category for C3D since it has a dedicated IDEAS station, see my link above).

Re: Curved Text in AutoCAD . . Still clunky and a pain?

RobDraw — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 23:33:44 GMT

Why is it when AutoCAD doesn't do something that other programs can do, it's always perceived as simple to implement?

Advanced text features in AutoCAD have always been way behind the times.