Can not explode text in AutoCAD for Mac 2020

[Anonymous]

Hi there,

I am trying to transform multiline text to a 3D shape. As I am relatively new to AutoCAD, I did some research and found to follow the following process to achieve my goal:

1. Explode text

2. Apply Region command to create blocks out of the lines

3. Use Extrude command

However, it seems like the Explode command is not working on my text. Any ideas why that is?

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi Gabriel,

There is no TXTEXP command AutoCAD for Mac, so you cannot use it.
On Mac you can "print" text objects you want to extrude to PDF, then import resulting PDF back to AutoCAD.

When "printing" to PDF you need to activate "Convert all text to geometry" option in "AutoCAD PDF" printer options:

When importing PDF don't forget to check "Import solid fils":

After importing PDF you will get hatches, which you can outline with HATCHGENERATEBOUNDARY command.

[chris_finlay]

Thanks for your help. When I hatch generate boundary I cannot get rid of the middle of letters such as e d o p etc. Can you please help me with this?

[maxim_k]

Hi Chris,

I didn’t have such a problem - all the "holes" in the letters were always empty when importing PDF.
What font do you use in the text you want to explode?

[chris_finlay]

Hi,

I currently have only used the default text. I haven't changed the font yet. I had to subtract the middles out.

[maxim_k]

Can you share drawing with text and PDF, created from it here?

[chris_finlay]

Can I also preface this by saying that I am new to CAD for Mac. I am quite proficient with autoCAD on windows. 

[maxim_k]

I asked you to attach original DWG with unexploded text and resulting PDF, but you showed only a screenshot.
And from the screenshot I see that only one letter have filled "hole" - e in "single".
This could be due to incorrect PDF import.
What is the height of the text you use in the test?
Which specific "printer" do you use to export to PDF?
Anyway, I'm asking again - attach your test drawing here, I'll look at it.

[chris_finlay]

Hi,

My apologies, I only saw there was a place to attach files; they are attached now. I have subtracted the "holes" of the other letters. I used PDF general and thought I followed all of the instructs as per your post. Thanks for helping me!

[maxim_k]

Another thing - after you extrude the text you need to use SUBTRACT command to subtract inner part of letters with "holes" to get the correct shape:

[chris_finlay]

Thanks. I had been using subtract to get the letters to their proper form. My apologies for the misunderstanding, wasn't sure if I was doing something wrong with the extrude or not. Appreciate your help. 

[maxim_k]

So.... the problem is resolved. Am I right?

[chris_finlay]

Yes, problem resolved. Turns out I never had a problem because I was using subtract already. 

[jwbrady]

Thank you @maxim_k  This worked, but now I'm getting 'No Objects were imported.  The specified page or area of the PDF file contains no objects.'

Not sure what I'm doing incorrectly.

[jwbrady]

I was able to resolve this issue by putting the text in a layout view and print using @maxim_k instruction ILO model space text.  Thank you @maxim_k 

[3590999687]

你好，请问我按照你的操作步骤第一步完成了，现在第二部导入pdf文件出来的界面和你的第二张照片界面不一样 是我的操作有问题吗？（Hello, I have followed your steps and completed the first step. Now the interface for importing the pdf file in the second step is different from the interface for your second photo. Is there something wrong with my operation?）

[maxim_k]

Hi @3590999687 ,

You show PDFATTACH window instead of PDFIMPORT on your screenshot.

Please verify that you use the correct command to import PDF, you need to use PDFIMPORT command.

[3590999687]

Thank you so much