Expert: Bill DeShawn - 11/27/2006

Question
Hi Bill, I saw your comments on Archstyl.shx  I have used this font for years and years.  However I am now having an issue with two programs being able to read this font file.  One program is called eDrawings and the other is Acrobat (Version 8).  Both of these programs are read only and both cannot translate this font correctly.  Sometimes Acrobat tries to do a substitution, but that's hit and miss.  Any ideas why?  And is there a better, more current and versatile architectural font that reads like archstyl...?

Thanks Bill

Answer
Mark:
There isn't a font that reads exactly like archstyl.shx.  There are, however similar shx fonts and there is a archstyl.ttf true-type font.  But the character recognition is different from one font to the next.  You have to be able to be flexible in your use of the fonts and type in the correct key sequences for the required characters.  If you're fine with that, then you can go here:
http://archsymb.com//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=53
and download the font they have available there.  ArchiText (TrueType).  It doesn't have the Plate symbol and other symbols via the same keystrokes as archistyl.shx.

I am having trouble getting this to work in AutoCAD 2006 for some reason, but if the TTF file is installed in Windows, it is supposed to work in AutoCAD.  So, I am having a problem with this myself.  I am looking into this problem via the Autodesk newsgroups and hope to have an answer soon.

Keep in touch
Bill DeShawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn