Expert: Bob - 7/23/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

Let me start by introducing myself. I am an intern architect and have used various versions of AutoCAD regularly for about 6 years, and 2007 LT for the last 3 of those years. I haven't taken any formal AutoCAD classes but have learned a great deal from classmates, co-workers, the help menu and online forums. I've tried all the above and not found a solution to this problem:

My office uses Futura TrueType fonts for our titleblocks and notes. Usually we have no problems, but sometimes when one person creates a file and another person opens it on a different computer (all computers use Windows XP and AutoCAD 2007 LT), some of the Futura fonts are replaced with the default (simplex) because AutoCAD can't find or determine the right font. I have already confirmed that all office computers have all the Futura fonts and that all computers have the necessary support file search paths set (the Futura fonts are in C:\Windows\Fonts).

These instances seem to fall into two categories:
1) Upon opening the file, a message appears in the command line saying CAD can't find the font. In this case, the problem can be fixed by going to Format>Text Style, selecting the problematic style under "Style Name" and re-selecting the font under "Font Name" (by this I mean: if it says "Futura Bk BT" I would go into the drop-down menu and again select "Futura Bk BT") After clicking Apply, all the fonts that were showing as Simplex are changed back to the correct font.
2) Upon opening the file, NO missing font message appears and the above method does not work. In these cases I noticed that the text seems to have style overrides added. If I select one of these problematic text objects (which may be either one-line or multi-line text) and go to the Properties palette, the Contents box shows not only the text but a number of formatting tags before it. (e.g. instead of just saying "Text" it might say {\fFutura Md |b0|i0|c0| p34; Text}" ) In this case the only way to fix the font is to go into the text editing mode, select all text, and select the font it's supposed to be. This has to be done object by object and takes a long time.

It seems #2 could be avoided by making more careful use of text styles when setting up a file, but it would be nice if there were a quicker way to fix an old file that is already set up carelessly. (Property matching (MA) doesn't work)
#1 is a mystery to me- clearly the font is on the computer, and CAD can find it by name, but can't seem to apply it properly.

Sorry if this is a long question but I'm trying to be clear and detailed. As I said I've done quite a bit of searching and haven't found an answer yet. I'd really appreciate any advice you could offer. Please let me know if you need any more information from me.

Thank you,
Alanna

ANSWER: Hi -- I regret that I only have a moment now.

May I ask who decided NOT to use the default place for the fonts --
program files
autocad LT2007
fonts

Once I see one thing that is odd, I wonder what else is going on --- odd customization, or whatever.

Perhaps set up one machine with all the fonts in the default spot and add the file search path. However, I will bet there are lots more odd things going on, reading your question.

And consider-- Why in the world are users "setting up drawings" when you would best have office templates containing all the styles, etc, and require (under penalty of death) that all users never start a file without using your template?
This ALSO makes me wonder what else is messed up.

People pay me to come in and make "user error proof" setups (or as close as can be done.  Maybe your office needs to hire a consultant or send one of you to classes (only works if the boss will insist that users comply to the new rules).

I really wonder if you are asking about a symptom, on a patient with many ailments.
However, if you want to stick just to the fonts, pls write back and later in the week I can delve into it.

BOB

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Bob,
Thanks for your quick response. I appreciate you taking the time.
I should have explained that our office is in the process of revising our drawing templates and refining our office standards to better suit our needs. This is why I referred to a coworker "setting up" a drawing- the problematic file where the font did not display correctly is a new template file, which is of course troubling since we never had this problem with previous templates. (This file was situation #1 in my previous message where CAD can't find the font).

Since we are in the process of updating our standards, I'd prefer if we can focus on fonts for now.

To answer your first question, I always understood that new True Type fonts had to be installed in C:/Windows/Fonts, and that if they are not installed there, they won't show up in CAD. I thought the C:/Program Files/AutoCAD 2007 LT/fonts was only for .shx fonts. The fonts in question here are also shared with other programs such as Word and various Adobe programs, so it makes sense to have them in Windows/fonts. I like your idea of putting all fonts on one computer on our server, my only concern would be if it might make things run slower- I'll have to consult our IT person about that.

I'm still trying to figure this out, and our IT person has just suggested that the creator of the template file may have an extra or duplicate Futura font definition on her computer, caused by the installation of another program (such as Adobe creative suite, or another) that came with a lot of fonts. Following this theory, when my computer looks for the font named "Futura BK" it looks for the font file named "FuturaN.ttf" but on her computer, the font named "Futura BK" may be assigned to a font file named "FuturaX.ttf" or something like that. Not sure if this theory is correct but it's our best guess so far.

Now this is looking more like a font issue than a CAD issue, and clearly we have some investigating and troubleshooting to do. I'll get back to you as we find out more, but if you have any more input please let me know.

-Alanna

Answer
Hi--

I am still slammed here, but a quickie:

The fonts on server idea was NOT in my reply --- it was about trying it the right way on one machine, pls read it again.

Sorry -- note the HUGE difference between "setting up a file" and "working on a new, updated office template" --- clarity saves time.

I am at a loss on the following:

1-- why would you have an idea that fonts needed by Program X or Y could not reside ALSO in Program files/Acad, etc? I would keep all the fonts used in AutoCAD there, even if there needs to be another copy somewhere for Program X to use.

2-- Why such a big deal over "it didnt work on Jane's machine"? I would just have Jane do it over, the right way, no investigations.

3-- Look up previous questions on the AutoCAD discussion groups-- http://discussion.autodesk.com/forums/category.jspa?categoryID=8 -- (remember, your problem would be the same in any recent release, not just LT) === then post a specific question in the best place if you dont have clarity after that.

4--- Have a good book next to the computer

Sorry, there may be something I am missing, but this is all I can do now. I urge you to be a little more careful on specifics, so you dont go astray.

BOB