Since SHX fonts derive from the IBM extended ASCII set, use these codes (hold ALT + number on numpad):
| Symbol | Code | Result |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Ø (Diameter) | 0216 | Shows if font includes it |
| ± (Plus/Minus) | 0177 | Often supported |
| ° (Degree) | 0176 | Commonly missing → use %%d instead |
| %%d | N/A | Degree symbol in AutoCAD |
| %%p | N/A | ± |
| %%c | N/A | Ø |
AutoCAD-specific control codes (work in DTEXT, MTEXT):
To prevent Hzdx.shx errors forever, configure AutoCAD’s font substitution mechanism.
FONTMAP: This is a TXT file (acad.fmp) that lets you create permanent substitution pairs.
With the rise of Unicode and Multi-line Attributes, many younger CAD technicians ask if SHX fonts are obsolete. The answer is nuanced.
You open the file, and every Chinese character is a question mark (?).
Cause: The text style is defined, but the current machine cannot find Hzdx.shx. OR the text style is set to a TTF font that doesn't support the character set.
Hzdx.shx file into this folder.If you are a Western engineer using AutoCAD, you might be tempted to simply use Arial or Microsoft YaHei for Chinese text. However, experienced drafters in China, Korea, and Japan stick to .shx fonts for three critical reasons:
You will often see hztxt.shx alongside hzdx.shx. They are siblings but serve different purposes.
| Feature | HZDX.shx | HZTXT.shx | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Structure | Single Line (Stroke font) | Single Line (Stroke font) | | Character Density | Standard (1:1 width ratio) | Compressed (Narrower characters) | | Best Use | Titles, drawing labels, general notes | Data tables, BOMs, dense parts lists | | Legibility at small sizes | Good down to 1.5mm | Excellent down to 1.0mm |
If your drawing looks "too wide" or text spills out of boxes, you probably need hztxt.shx. If you need clarity and standard readability, use hzdx.shx.
font is a specialized shape font frequently used in engineering designs to display Chinese characters alongside standard Latin text. Because SHX files are "compiled" vector shapes rather than standard system fonts, they require specific handling within CAD environments. 1. Installation Guide
To use the Hzdx.shx font in your project, you must place the file where AutoCAD can index it. Windows Location : Copy the file into the default font directory, typically located at C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20xx\Fonts Mac Location : Open the Support file search path Application menu and add the folder containing your SHX files. Project-Specific : Alternatively, you can save the font in the same folder
file. AutoCAD always checks the drawing's local directory first. 2. Applying the Font in AutoCAD Once installed, you must define a Text Style to use it: in the command line and press Enter. style (e.g., "Chinese_Standard"). dropdown, select a primary Latin font (like romans.shx Use Big Font box. This is crucial for Hzdx.shx to function. dropdown, select 3. Troubleshooting Missing Fonts
If you open a drawing and see "???" or missing text, AutoCAD cannot find the file. Check the Path : Ensure the file is in a path listed in the tab of the PDF Issues
: If the font appears as "comments" or boxes in a PDF, use the command and set it to to disable SHX text comments. Vector Nature
: Remember that SHX fonts are technically a series of pen strokes, not TrueType outlines, which makes them faster to render but harder to edit in external PDF editors. 4. Creating a Custom SHX (Advanced)
If you need to modify the Hzdx character set, you must work with the source : You would need a decompiler to turn the back into a readable text file. Edit Shapes
: Define character shapes using coordinate-based vector commands. command within to turn your edited back into a functional Do you need help locating a download for this specific font file, or are you having trouble with text appearing as question marks
Adobe DC - Disable AutoCAD SHX Text box functionality | Community