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TrueType Font WorkAround in IntelliCAD

IntelliCAD does not support TrueType font display like AutoCAD. Even though TrueType usage is round-tripped (i.e. AutoCAD drawings with TrueType font references can be opened, edited and saved again without losing TrueType references) the lack of support is a concern to users who have standardized on TrueType fonts in their drawings.

However, IntelliCAD'98 will read AutoCAD R13/R14/LT9x DWGs containing STYLEs attached to TrueType fonts and automatically substitute SHX fonts of the same name if present (SWISS.shx for SWISS.ttf, etc.).

This mapping is independent of the font mapping file (set with FONTMAP) or the contents of the default font map ICAD.FMP.

A portion of TRUETYPE.DWG (shipped with AutoCAD LT 98), a sample drawing that displays TrueType fonts in action. This drawing loaded in IntelliCAD 98 actually uses similarly named SHX fonts created with FONTasm! in place of TrueType fonts.

AutoCAD LT 98's standard TRUETYPE.dwg sample drawing shown above has STYLEs attached to TrueType fonts. When loaded by ICAD, the IC-SIMP.shx font is substituted as expected. However, if FONTasm!'s TT-derived SHXs suitably named, are present in the same folder as the drawing, they are substituted. This is default behavior by IntelliCAD.

FONTasm!s unique interface requires DirectX 6

Where do you get SHX files that accurately simulate TrueType fonts? One solution is to make 'em yourself with Gordon Gibson's FONTasm! software. FONTasm! converts TrueType and PostScript Type 1 fonts into filled AutoCAD SHX/SHP fonts, Generic CADD FNT fonts, Visual CADD VCF fonts, and DXF files (the latter containing text "exploded" into circular arcs & lines, suitable for CNC applications) making it a versatile and useful utlity in any CAD shop.

The FONTasm! Font Viewer screen with a character from BICKLEYS.TTF (Bickley Script) selected

I have to say that the interface is a little on the "quirky" side and a radical departure from the Windows standard that we have come to know and well... know some more. However FONTasm! does the job with great efficiency and speed.

The lower line shows text in an ALGIERS SHX font in IntelliCAD 98, converted from a TrueType font.

Font conversion raises the interesting question of copyright in the fonts design being converted. FONTasm! displays the copyright information relating to each font and fonts are usually supplied with copyright information and acceptable use policies. The FONTasm! developer and Design Drawing in no way condone the illicit conversion of copyright fonts. As Gibson points out , with a free weekend and a fast modem you can access 100s if not 1000s of shareware and freeware TrueType fonts from the WWW that may suit your needs.

The question on everyone's lips is "How good do these fonts plot?" Gibson says plot quality is noticeably better than AutoCAD R14/LT97's native TrueType fonts. We say try it for yourself and you be the judge. A convertible demo version will soon be released on the Compuserve ACAD forum and in other locations. Design Drawing will link to the archive when it is released.  A pre-release version can be obtained on request to ggibson@istar.ca

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