topic Re: AutoCAD - Unicode layer name displayed as squares in AutoCAD Forum

Unicode layer name displayed as squares (AutoCAD issue with fall back font for Verdana)

w64bit — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 12:26:01 GMT

2023.1

Unicode layer name is displayed as squares in layer manager.

If I enter edit mode it is displayed correctly.

デフォルト

Is there any setting for changing the font inside layer manager?

[ The subject line of this post has been edited to include the product name by @handjonathan ]

Re: Unicode layer name displayed as squares

imadHabash — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 11:08:43 GMT

Hi,

Would you please attache here a CAD dwg sample for testing?

Re: Unicode layer name displayed as squares

w64bit — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 15:03:25 GMT

Unfortunately, no.

But you can replicate by starting a new drawing and create a layer named デフォルト

Re: AutoCAD - Unicode layer name displayed as squares

JTBWorld — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 17:20:15 GMT

Works fine for me. Contact Autodesk support.

Re: AutoCAD - Unicode layer name displayed as squares

w64bit — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 20:31:06 GMT

I think that the problem is because I use Verdana as OS font.

It seems that AutoCAD does not use correctly fall back font for Verdana font.

Re: AutoCAD - Unicode layer name displayed as squares

handjonathan — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 10:16:35 GMT

Hi @w64bit

Thanks a lot for posting your question to the forums!  

Can you try to install the font as outlined here ?

Re: AutoCAD - Unicode layer name displayed as squares

w64bit — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 11:56:56 GMT

Yes. It was installed like you mention. Repeat. No result.

It it the same issue on second computer using Verdana as OS default font.

This cannot be confirmed until the programming team will check the code for fall back font for Verdana.

Fallback font WIKI

Re: AutoCAD - Unicode layer name displayed as squares (AutoCAD issue with fall back font for Verdana)

w64bit — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 10:00:34 GMT

More...

I defined all types of entities in Format menu, all named デフォルト123abc--- , and the problem it's only inside Layer Manager.

All other locations, including in toolbars are displayed OK, with unicodes.

Another thing. I am using OS Clear Type = OFF, and in Layer Manager the font with problem is displayed with Clear Type (red). All the rest are displayed as it should (without ClearType, because is OFF in OS).

Original image attached (ZIP). If you want to check ClearType, please use ZIP. The quality is perfect.

Re: AutoCAD - Unicode layer name displayed as squares (AutoCAD issue with fall back font for Verdana)

w64bit — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 11:39:53 GMT

2024. Squares are still here.

Re: AutoCAD - Unicode layer name displayed as squares (AutoCAD issue with fall back font for Verdana)

TomBeauford — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 12:01:30 GMT

Keep in mind even if you manage to do this nobody you share any of your drawings with would be able to read the layer names and anything that uses those layer names like layer filters, Layer States Manager, lisp or script files may also become useless.

Got to wonder why you would even pursue something like this?

Re: AutoCAD - Unicode layer name displayed as squares (AutoCAD issue with fall back font for Verdana)

w64bit — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 12:20:56 GMT

There is no need to share any drawing.

You can duplicate easily:

1. Set Verdana as your default font.

2. create a layer named デフォルト123abc---

Re: AutoCAD - Unicode layer name displayed as squares

Alfred.NESWADBA — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 13:15:37 GMT

Hi,

from post 5

>> I think that the problem is because I use Verdana as OS font.

from post 11

>> 1. Set Verdana as your default font.

Does that mean you know the solution? If you don't change the default font for operating system the problem is gone?

And not really sure about that, but changing the Windows default font to a different one (for Windows 10 or 11) you need a registry hack, is that true or just my missing knowledge?

- alfred -

Re: Unicode layer name displayed as squares (AutoCAD issue with fall back font for Verdana)

w64bit — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 13:50:32 GMT

If I define all types of entities in Format menu, all named デフォルト123abc--- , all but one are OK.

The problem it's only inside Layer Manager and only in layer list.

One place only. (please read post 8).

And only when viewing, not editing. (please read post 1).

You have dozens of places which are OK. Only one it's with a problem.

So, it need fixing.

You have 100 doors you want to unlock with one key. One of the doors' lock is not working.

This one door is the problem, not the key.

So, you fix the door.

Re: Unicode layer name displayed as squares (AutoCAD issue with fall back font for Verdana)

Alfred.NESWADBA — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 14:15:57 GMT

Hi,

>> you fix the door.

If that was the reply to my post, asking how you changed the font for your os, then I would say:
Having the option to change the Windows system font was removed with Windows 8 (was only available up Windows 7). And if you use a way to manipulate Windows and therefor one dialog does not work with AutoCAD I guess no one at Autodesk will take time and money to look into something that should not happen when using Windows in a normal way (without registry hacks).

It's like mounting wheels on a car that are not build to be working for that car, but you want to get the brakes repaired, because they are not fitting inside the rims. Windows has registry hacks available, but when any of these modifications results in any way to show issues you will not get anyone to look into this (best that could happen is that Microsoft may remove the option to change the font also from the registry hack).

If your message 11 was not a reply to my message (10) then please ignore this and maybe answer my questions. 😉

- alfred -

Re: Unicode layer name displayed as squares (AutoCAD issue with fall back font for Verdana)

w64bit — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:09:42 GMT

2026. Bug still here.