{"id":6379,"date":"2017-03-31T07:00:19","date_gmt":"2017-03-31T14:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com/blogs\/autocad\/?p=6379"},"modified":"2020-04-07T23:36:49","modified_gmt":"2020-04-08T06:36:49","slug":"autocad-2018-pdf-enhancements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com/blogs\/autocad\/autocad-2018-pdf-enhancements\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s New in AutoCAD 2018? PDF Enhancements"},"content":{"rendered":"

PDF files are the most common file format used when exchanging design information between designers, contractors, clients, and others. With AutoCAD 2017, we introduced the ability to import PDF files<\/a>. The PDFIMPORT command imports PDF data into AutoCAD<\/a> as 2D geometry, TrueType text, and images.<\/p>\n

However, Adobe\u2019s PDF file format doesn\u2019t recognize AutoCAD SHX fonts. When a PDF file is created from an AutoCAD 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. This results in text that looks right, but isn\u2019t editable because it\u2019s just a bunch of lines, circles, and other basic geometry.<\/p>\n

\"PDF<\/p>\n

SHX Text Recognition<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Recognize_SHX_AutoCAD_PDF\"<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"SHX<\/p>\n

A Settings option is available to help you manage which SHX fonts you\u2019d 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; 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 use the best matching font ensures AutoCAD compares the text to all of the selected fonts, and chooses the best one.<\/p>\n

\"Settings<\/p>\n

After comparing the geometry to the SHX fonts, the matching geometry is automatically replaced with one or more Mtext objects. A message box will display the results.<\/p>\n

\"Geometry<\/p>\n

Check out the video<\/a> to see some of these enhancements in action.<\/p>\n

Additional PDF Import Enhancements<\/h2>\n

In addition to the SHX recognition tool, AutoCAD 2018 offers the following PDF import<\/a> enhancements:<\/p>\n