topic Re: What is the proper way to generate searchable PDF file from AutoCAD LT? in AutoCAD LT Forum

What is the proper way to generate searchable PDF file from AutoCAD LT?

syanchuck — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 16:12:09 GMT

Hi,

I am currently working on AutoCAD LT 2022, however all PDF files, I am generating bare not searchable.

How to fixit?

Thank you in advance.

Re: What is the proper way to generate searchable PDF file from AutoCAD LT?

h_s_walker — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 16:23:53 GMT

When choosing to publish to a PDF click on PUBLISH OPTIONS and make sure CAPTURE FONTS USED IN THE DRAWING is ticked. See the image below

Re: What is the proper way to generate searchable PDF file from AutoCAD LT?

pendean — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 16:48:41 GMT

@syanchuck wrote:
...How to fixit?...

Not enough information, can you elaborate, or if you can, at least share a DWG or PDF?

Otherwise...

Tip #1: always use TTF (TrueType Fonts) instead of shx fonts for easy searchable text similar to what you get from other programs.

Tip #2: see reply above to use a PDF driver and setting it to capture the font in use.

HTH

Re: What is the proper way to generate searchable PDF file from AutoCAD LT?

syanchuck — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 17:19:09 GMT

Thank you for your response.

I've attached the PDF file.

Re: What is the proper way to generate searchable PDF file from AutoCAD LT?

pendean — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 17:41:41 GMT

Thanks for the file. You use SHX fonts, not searchable. In fact, as far as any PDF viewer can tell, you are just sending out a picture.

Autodesk has a clunky workaround if you just can't tear yourself away from SHX fonts: turn on PDFSHX variable, it's explained in HELP in your LT2022
https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACDLT/2022/ENU/?guid=GUID-56EA988C-A1DA-4E85-8765-B3F31A01AB02

I suspect you and your recipients will dislike it with a passion, but that is your decision to implement. Experiment and try it out.

If all of your fonts were TTF (aka Windows fonts), your PDF would be searchable when you use any of the stock PDF drivers in T2022 that you did not edit or change.

HTH

Re: What is the proper way to generate searchable PDF file from AutoCAD LT?

syanchuck — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 00:00:11 GMT

Hi,
I don't know if I've understood you correctly, but that what I did:

I typed PDFSHT,

it appeared Value 1. I've changed the Value from 1 to 0.

Nothing helped so far...

Attaching the DWG file.

Thank you in advance...

Re: What is the proper way to generate searchable PDF file from AutoCAD LT?

cadffm — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 07:31:41 GMT

Hi,

@syanchuck schrieb:

I don't know if I've understood you correctly

NO

I typed ~~PDFSHT,~~

PDFSHX

it appeared Value 1. I've changed the Value from 1 to 0.

NO, read your help [F1] Value1 creates Comments, value0 not. Value 1 is what you want - change it back.

Nothing helped so far...

Your original settings are good, your posted .PDF IS SEARCHABLE !

But think about that .SHX text will not convert ro PDF Text objects and PDFSHX will create "comments",

you have to set up your PDF program to SEARCH IN COMMENTS TOO

For example:

PDF-XCHANGE - it is a default setting

ACROBAT READER DC (and other products) - You need to enable it

NOTE: Since version 2024 you can set up PDFSHX(2) to create invisible PDF TEXT elements, instead of comments!

This way, it is independing of the search-in-comments-setting.

Re: What is the proper way to generate searchable PDF file from AutoCAD LT?

syanchuck — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 22:28:36 GMT

Thank you very much for your solution and sorry for my typo.

There is only one question left, it there a difference if I create PDF from "Publish" menu or I am Printing for PDF via Plotter?

Re: What is the proper way to generate searchable PDF file from AutoCAD LT?

cadffm — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 00:10:46 GMT

If your publish setting use the same plotter driver, it should be the same.