[.net] How to convert text into polylines?

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone !

For my project, i'd like to convert Mtext into polylines (or lines or other...) with vb.net (why? because my compagny is working with laser, and laser can't write text like this, we have to convert it into lines/arcs/splines etc...)

Someone have an idea ? How can I do this? I've read something about saving the text into a sfx file but don't seems to work.

Thanks for your help.

(and sorry for my english, french is my mother tongue)

Adri Dicri

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Express tools, "explode text". Converts selected text to 2D polylines.

[Anonymous]

Can I use the express tools in a vb.net addon?

Thanks 😉

[arcticad · Accepted solution]

The lisp function is located in
C:\Program Files\AutoCAD 2010\Express\txtexp.lsp

look at
AutoCAD® .NET: Using .NET With Your LISP Applications
Wayne Brill – Autodesk     

http://au.autodesk.com/?nd=material&session_material_id=5312

 

 

[StephenPreston]

There's also an app on the AutoCAD 2012 Exchange store - think the name is 'Text2Geometry'. I'm not on my work computer right now, so can't check, but I believe its a free download, and I believe its a .NET app. If you contact the author he may be willing to share his algorithm with you.

[SEANT61]

Hey Stephen . . . . thanks for the promo.

Adri Dicri, The source for the Text2Geometry app is already available here (You may have to register to view the link – registering, though, is beneficial well beyond the value of this one link):

http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=31435

I should point out that the routine only processes text from userform input.  I plan on addressing database resident Text/Mtext when some free time presents itself. 

Incidentally, all non-linear geometry produced by the app is Spline/Bezier based.  I would be interested to hear how that interacts with your Laser’s CNC processing.

[Anonymous]

I have recently inquired about the very same thing, similar at least.  I needed a tool with variation to "txtexp" from Express tools, but it did not quite give the outlines as efficiently as was needed (to save on drawing time).

Research online led me to "Text to Geometry" (command: t2g) which works with newer versions of Autocad.

I've not been able to try it out myself due to having Mechanical 2009 only.

The link is:

http://apps.exchange.autodesk.com/ACD/en/Detail/Index?id=appstore.exchange.autodesk.com%3aText-to-Ge...

Happy drafting! 🙂