text to graphics (vector)

[Anonymous]

I used to have a simple free autolisp app named T2G  that would convert any text string to vector graphics, as long as the font was installed. It did a fairly clean conversion to splines which could be subsequently converted to arcs by using the flatten command in express tools. After upgrading to AutoCAD 2020 with the removal of all previous AutoCAD files from the folder on down, I no longer have this app. I think I got it from the Autodesk app store but don't see it there now. Does anyone know where I might find a downloadable copy or possibly alternate app?

[Anonymous]

If you installed express tools with AutoCAD, have you tried command "txtexp"? This will "explode" text into polylines, which will usually require some trimming / joining, depending on what your end goal is. Nothing to buy or search for, if a built in tool will do what you need....

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your reply Daniel, unfortunately exploded text in AutoCAD is pretty crappy as vector artwork goes. It is all line segments and they use an odd method that divides the text into multiple regions that must be re-exploded and the criss-crossing segments removed. I work as a programmer for shape cutting ( waterjet laser etc...) and smoothness of curves can be very important. The app I was asking about did a fairly decent job of conversion, though to be fair I did have to subsequently convert the splines to arcs and then spend considerable time hand smoothing and eliminating the sometimes hundreds of arc segments that were small enough to be problematic. Still a better start than exploded text. 

[Patchy]

It doesn't work with newer windows and newer Autocad so it was deleted.

[Anonymous]

Sorry- knowing what the goal is now, I can see where this wouldn't work well.

I used it to create "hollow" text filled with colored hatches for "non-critical" banner-prints. For a party sign to hang over a driveway, etc., worked fine. The human eye is much easier to fool than an optimized/cnc cutting machine.....

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your reply Patchy, I can't really call it a solution to my problem though it does seem to be a definitive answer. I still need to find an app that will convert text to geometry. Do you, or anybody else out there know of one that is free or not too costly?  

[Patchy · Accepted solution]

Give it a try with your new autocad.

or you can try this link:

https://apps.autodesk.com/ACD/en/List/Search?isAppSearch=True&searchboxstore=ACD&facet=&collection=&...

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the downloadable. any advise on setting it up? It has been a few years since I setup the original T@G.

[Patchy]

Unzip, put all files in autocad Support folder.

Reboot Autocad

Type in NETLOAD, load the TextToGeom.dll

then use the command T2G.

[s.borello]

Does command "TXTEXP" not give you what you're looking for? 

[Anonymous]

No, the results are too crude. Line segments only, no arcs.

[darthurZ5SD4]

Any luck with this? I am running into the same problem, thanks

[jmbingen]

the T2G command does not work for me after unzipping + reboot + netload?

[infoJ3S4H]

The command T2G does not work for me after following all the instructions. Any suggestions?

[Patchy]

Which version of Autocad did you try on?

[infoJ3S4H]

I am currently installing AutoCAD 2025. But I tried it on AutoCAD 2024

[Patchy]

It works with 2008.

It was the best app for making lines and curves out of text, but stop given out after 2010.

If I can help you making vectors, I'll be glad to make them for you.

[infoJ3S4H]

Thanks for the offer. I make multipe files a day and each part has text on it. The factory is now asking for the text to vectorized, so I'm just trying to do that as quick as possible. 

If you have any solutions for this though, I'm all ears. 

[Patchy]

Are they all of the same fonts? How many fonts do they need?

I can make all alphabets of that font and you can use them individually.

[infoJ3S4H]

I'm going to try adding AutoCAD Raster Design to my AutoCAD and see if I can do something that way first. But thank you for the help.