Expert: Bob - 3/8/2010

Question
I am trying to plot a file that an interior designer has e-mailed me.  It uses a font style called "Poor Richard" for all of the text in the drawing,... but when I have it plotted at my local drafting/printing shop, it defaults to another text style,... and requires a great deal of editing to make the drawing read as intended. How can I get the drawing plotted with the font originally intended?

Answer
Hi Bob!

First of all, a text style and an a font are two different things: the font is a component of the text style, which contains more information.

Second, you leave out:
A-- do you also have this font installed? Do you use the Designer's text style and plot style?
B-- do YOU plot the drawing to a .plt file (best practice), or do you send the drawing to the repro shop? (dangerous, as we see by your problem)
C-- (unclear)are you saying that the shop saves the drawing file, and gives in back to you, thus with messed up fonts? Of course, if you give them your copy of the .dwg, rather than making them a copy, and they save, your drawing now has their information in it.

If you DONT have the font, have the Designer email it to you, and install it.
BUT, if you send the .dwg to the shop and THEY don't have the font, the plots will be printed in another. You should get the model # of the shop's printer (or ask them "What plotter should I plot to when I make the .plt file to send you?) Read up in HELP, online, or in a good book on how to plot to a file.

I NEVER send the drawing -- it puts control of the result in someone else's hands, although it can work out much of the time.

Does this help, or did I not understand you?

Bob