DWG files plotted to XPS and PDF are capturing different fonts.

[dan.smith3]

I am trying to plot a DWG file and capture all of the fonts so the resulting text is searchable.  When I plot to XPS, half of the fonts are captured while the other half aren't. 

When I plot to PDF, the fonts captured by XPS show up as an image (they are in tables) while the remaining fonts appear as pop-up notes.

And, when I right click on the file in File Explorer and select "Convert to PDF", the fonts captured in XPS still show up as an image while the remaining fonts are captured (not a pop-up).

So, to summarize, I can capture ALL of the fonts one way or another - so I know it's possible - but I cannot get them all into one file format.

This is frustrating because I have a series of DWG drawings (supplied by a manufacturer) that I need to convert to one searchable format.  Appeals to the manufacturer have been futile so far.

[pendean]

Font handling is set/defined in the Microsoft XPS printer driver setting, if that is even an option: not sure I can find it either, its not a very good printer driver IMHO. Try Microsoft support https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us

In the meantime try better free PDF or other format drivers from the web.

[dan.smith3]

Thanks for the response pendean.  

I haven't been able to find any helpful info on XPS or PDF print drivers but I did discover today that plotting the DWG file using Microsoft Print to PDF captures the same fonts as Microsoft XPS Document Writer does - (the opposite fonts as right clicking and selecting "Convert to PDF").

So it seems to be a difference between Microsoft and Adobe font handling.

I tried copying all my Windows and Autodesk fonts to my Adobe font folder but it didn't help.

[dan.smith3]

Also, how did this question get listed as "Solved"?  Isn't the person who posted the question supposed to decide that?

[dan.smith3]

Ah, I see that I can change a post to "Not the solution".
Can anyone select their own post as the solution???

[pendean]

Only AutoCAD uses SHX "autocad fonts", absolutely no other program does, they mean nothing outside of AutoCAD. TTF fonts are installed in Windows' Fonts folder for all programs to use, including AutoCAD: that's been a reality for Windows Fonts since the day Windows came out in the year 1994-95.

Find, install and use better free PDF or XPS drivers from the web would be the solution. Good luck.

>>>...Can anyone select their own post as the solution???...<<<
The alerts I got said you did it, twice LOL

[dan.smith3]

Thanks for responding again pendean,

There must be some glitch in the forum software that automatically selects a post as the solution because I definitely didn't select that for my posts! 

I'm still not sure where I can find better pdf and xps print drivers.  The weird thing is that one driver recognizes half of the fonts while the other recognizes the other half.  Does anyone know of a pdf or xps print driver that recognizes ALL normal fonts?

[pendean]

I am unable to repeat any of your issues with my own DWG files using any of our 3rd party PDF drivers: perhaps your issue is your DWG or how you are seeking the info in your PDFs?

Share actual files (DWG, PDF etc.) for review and examination when you can.

[dan.smith3]

I can't share the DWG files as they are proprietary, and I only have DWD TrueView so I can't edit the files to remove the proprietary information.  Let me see if I can find another file with the same issue. 

[dan.smith3]

I had the OEM edit the file and have it attached.

[dan.smith3]

This is what I'm seeing.  (Note: I had PDFSHX set to 0 in the registry when I first posted my question.  I have it set back to 1 now so this is a bit different.)

Plotting with Microsoft XPS writer or Microsoft Print to PDF captures the fonts in the two tables (middle and right side of drawing) but nothing else.

DWG to PDF captures everything else (as comments) but the two tables are images.

If I right click on the file in Explorer and select Convert to Adobe PDF, it also captures everything except the two tables, only not as comments.

[dan.smith3]

Hi pendean,

See my replies above (I inadvertently replied to myself)

Thanks,

Dan

[pendean]

These two "tables" are just static image files, raster, pasted into the file (see screenshot below): you know, like pictures on your smart phone of your puppy 😉

Pictures do not have fonts, they are static. Since you did not post a PDF showing your problem, I am going to guess these being static pictures are your real problem, not much else. yes?

pendean_0-1643232434142.png

[dan.smith3]

Hi pendean,

That's what I thought too, but what I don't understand is why the Microsoft XPS and PDF print drivers render those static images as searchable text (but for some odd reason don't render any of the actual text that way).

Below is the text copied and pasted out of the Microsoft Print to PDF file.

ACCRONYM DESCRIPTION
CR1 CHIP AREA LINE #1 REMOTE RACK
CR2 CHIP AREA LINE #2 REMOTE RACK
CR3 CHIP AREA LINE #3 REMOTE RACK
CR4 CHIP AREA LINE #4 REMOTE RACK
MCR MAIN CONSOLE AREA REMOTE RACK
BRE BASEMENT EAST REMOTE RACK
BRW BASEMENT WEST REMOTE RACK
MP MAIN ELECTRICAL ENCLOSURE
BFR BAG FILTER AREA REMOTE RACK
TD1R TUNNEL DIVERTER #1 REMOTE RACK
TTN TANK TOP NORTH REMOTE RACK
TTE TANK TOP EAST REMOTE RACK
TTW TANK TOP WEST REMOTE RACK
TTS TANK TOP SOUTH REMOTE RACK
MSR MAINTENANCE SHOP REMOTE RACK
TTHMI TANK TOP HMI
CRHMI CHIP ROOM HMI
DGHMI DIAPER GATE HMI
TLHMI TROUGH LEVELS HMI
TD1HMI TUNNEL DIVERTER #1 HMI

[dan.smith3]

*for the first table.

[dan.smith3]

Here are the three files I get using the methods described above.

The CNVtoPDF file captures the text fonts as searchable text.

The DWGtoPDF file captures the text fonts as comments.

The MICtoPDF file captures the tables as searchable text.

[dan.smith3]

Here is the Microsoft Print to XPS file.  It also captures the tables as searchable text.

[pendean]

Your pictures contain 4 different fonts

pendean_0-1643235099048.png

And your actual tables with actual text are different still.

Then there are different fonts in use in the titleblocks as well, separate from all the others.

Then the very different large header at the top.

Don't even get me going on all the different text heights in use too.

Overall sloppy cadding all around, not much else IMHO. Hope you did not pay too much for it.

You and the file creator need to talk.

Good luck.

[dan.smith3]

That's all well and good but it doesn't solve my problem.  I want one print driver that is capable of rendering the text and tables as searchable text.  The fact that the Adobe driver can do that for the text and the Microsoft driver can do that for the tables shows me that this is not a feat that can't be accomplished.  

[pendean]

You and the file creator need to talk about not using images so your future DWG/DTV output behaves consistently, then Microsoft/Adobe Support for feature adds to their drivers to be consistent with each other.