Expert: Bob - 11/4/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello Bob,

I'm a civil engineer drawing site plans.  Everything was fine until my 2 year old son started pressing the keyboard while I was using Autocad 2000.  Now when I print drawings, the text is an outline, not solid.  This is especially true for bolded text or text in large font. Please help.  Thank you.

Alecs

ANSWER: Hi--
Most obvious answer is that you are plotting "hidden" rather than wireframe. If you dont have solids, etc, the screen looks the same for 2d wireframe and hidden, or the plot setting is hidden.
If the text is showing that way onscreen, it may be another setting, so write back. It is very late tonight.

BOB


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

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick followup.  On screen, model space or paper space, the text is solid.  It's only in print preview and the actual print that the text is an outline.  Line thicknesses are fine.  Just the text is the problem.
How do I go about "unhiding" the plot setting?  Thank you.

Alecs

Answer
Hi--I SHOULD HAVE PHRASED IT "YOU HAVE CHANGED THE PLOT SETTING FROM WIREFRAME (LINES) TO HIDDEN, IN THE PLOT DIALOG BOX" -- or in your case, by typing, but you can change it back in the dialog.
Excuse me if I dont remember that old plot dialog box perfectly, but is there not a choice of wireframe, as displayed or hidden to the right side someplace?

I am thinking that you replied without looking for it????
Sorry, I cant look it up today, but if you go to HELP, and try entering hide and hide plot, you will see a better explanation.
Any AutoCAD book will explain the concept -- obviously, the hidden views are meant principally for 3d objects, so that the lines of the back part dont show. An unfortunate consequence is what you see with text.