2018
* Functionality also included in the AutoCAD 2017.1 Update8
Documentation
PDFenhancements*
PDF files are the most common file format used when exchanging design information
between designers, contractors, clients, and others. AutoCAD 2017 introduced the ability
to import PDF files. The PDFIMPORT command imports PDF data into AutoCAD as 2D
geometry, TrueType text, and images.
SHXtextrecognition
Adobe’s PDF file format doesn’t recognize AutoCAD SHX fonts, therefore, when a PDF file
is created from a drawing, text that was defined with SHX fonts is stored in the PDF as
geometry. If that PDF file is then imported into a DWG file, the original SHX text is
imported as geometry.
AutoCAD 2018 offers a SHX text recognition tool that enables you to select imported PDF
geometry representing SHX text and convert it to text objects. Access this functionality
from the Recognize SHX Text tool (PDFSHXTEXT command) on the Insert ribbon tab.
The SHX recognition tool analyzes clusters of geometry (i.e., lines, polylines, etc.) from
your selection set and compares them to characters in specified SHX cache files.
A Settings option is available to help you manage which SHX fonts you’d like to compare
against the selected text, as well as to control some settings during the conversion. The
most common SHX fonts are listed by default, and you can then add or remove SHX fonts
based on your needs, and select which fonts in the list you want to compare against the
selected text. AutoCAD will compare each of the selected fonts in order until one is found
that matches the selected text within the specified recognition threshold. An option to