FAQ - anybody fancy compiling a list of symbols?

[Strix]

I was just scouting down the list of new posts and noticed we often have queries on how to produce some of the less common symbols - such as the diameter sign or a proper squared sign instead of shrinking a 2 down and moving it about independently

these symbols generally have Alt + XXXX codes for them
some have other methods of producing them too (like if you tick the right box in your dim settings)

would anybody like to compile us a list of these for inclusion in the FAQ database? :)

[Tiger]

Me! Me! Me! *jumping up and down* Pick me!! :lol:

[Carter]

The windows Character Map has all of these symbols which can then be brought into AutoCAD

[Strix]

Goo on then Tiger :D

you'll dig out all the alt codes for us? Just post them here :thumbsup:

Carter - can you explain that in words of one syllable and in a format that a newb who can't find an on switch could understand?

[Carter]

Go to your START menu>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Character Map.
At this point you can find any symbol you desire based on it's font. When you click on a character you can press select and then copy. At this point you can past it into AutoCAD as text. Or after you select your character you can see the Keystroke combination in the lower right hand corner of the character map to place it into your AutoCAD text editor.
Or you can right click in your mtedit window in AutoCAD and select symbol>other which will bring up the character map.

Hopefully this makes sense.

[SLW210]

Depending on your version of AutoCAD....

In 2008 you click on the down arrow to the right.

2412

Go to "symbol", if what you want is not there, go to "other.." to get the Character Map.

2413

In the Character Map select the Font, then select the character/s to copy and hit Copy to put on the clipboard. At the bottom you will see the codes to type in if you like.

2414

2415

[SLW210]

In 2000i it's just a little different..................

[Strix]

thanks guys :)

Tiger - do you still want to do a list of frequently used ones? as they're asked about quite a bit in the forums

[SLW210]

A good list would be to associate the symbols with the fonts they are available with. :thumbsup:

[Strix]

would that be an entire manual though?

maybe just a suggestion of which fonts have the most symbols available to them?

[Tiger]

Leave it to me Strix! :D I'll compile a list for you, not tonight though - but if nothing comes up I can spend tomorrow night searching, digging and writing it together.

[SLW210]

would that be an entire manual though?

maybe just a suggestion of which fonts have the most symbols available to them?

I would just do the most common fonts used in AutoCAD. Those that need to use strange fonts can check for themselves. :D

[Tiger]

And the most common fonts would be ISO... and Arial? what kind of fonts do people use?

[SLW210]

And the most common fonts would be ISO... and Arial? what kind of fonts do people use?

Might be good for a poll question Tiger. If you want some help with this give a PM and we can sort it out, when you have time. :thumbsup:

[Tiger]

so you just want it here Strix? or in a txt-file? or a word-file? xls perhaps? I can do it either way :D

I lost the company car today to a co-worker so I had a couple of hours behind the desk - I've got a bit of a list anyways...

[Strix]

Here's fine, ta, Tiger... unless Alan's writing the question for the FAQ, in which case he may have a better format for it :wink:

*goes to look for font poll thread*

[Alan Cullen]

Who? Me? :(

I thought you were doing this one, or were you just getting the research done ready for it?

Oh well, it's a good thing I have a pretty much clean plate for the weekend. :lol:

Tiger, you just keep gathering all the data, and submit it here. I'll take it from there when you have enough. o:)

P.S. In a text file, thanks.

[Strix]

Actually Alan, I don't mind not having my real name splattered all over the internet, so I'm quite happy doing the 'back room' stuff... if that's okay with you?

[Alan Cullen]

Yeah, that's fine Mrs Strix. :lol: :twisted:

[Tiger]

Okey, this is what I got. I can't make it look even decent if posting it in this post so I'll attach a txt-file for you Alan. Take away as much as you want, it's basically just a collection of all kinds of symbols that I've found.

The 'funny letters' that I've included - hey, I'm swedish okey?? And trying to get those letters to stay put (especially in older versions of ACad) is a pain in the beehind - so when I found then as Alt-codes I at least had to save them for myself - remove them if you want.

As for fonts that these match. According to the Help-file (see, I CAN read the Help-file...I just don't like it :P) all \U-codes work with RomanS, Simplex, Isocp, Isoct and Isocpeur (only True Type) .... but I don't really get it. I would recommend that someone whose a wiz at fonts write up an explaination of fonts, shx-files and which symbols work in which...I think I've understood it so far that it all depends on if you use a AutoCAD SHX-font or a true type font (Arial beeing true type, Simplex beeing SHX for example) so more than that I'm lost...

btw - I did a trial the Diameter sign - and even if I take a font in which it works, it looks different depending on which way you use..which is a bit fascinating...

[RFRUSSO]

Thanks for this list Tiger. I usually use Mtext and in there I can use the drop down thing as show earlier in this thread. From time to time I have to work with single line text (DT) and there isn't a text editor menu with that. So this list is SUPPER helpfully. Now even if I am using DT I can still have all of my symbols! Thanks again!

[lpseifert]

Thx Tiger...

[SLW210]

Thanks Tiger. Some nice work there.:thumbsup:

I need the one for angle, never even thought to look for that one.

[Exorcist]

Great job! Thank yee Tiger! ;)

[Strix]

I think I've lost where we're going with this now :?

were we compiling a list of alt codes for frequently used symbols or a comprehensive list of interesting characters?

that list looks spot on Tiger - I'm loving the choice of title for the 'funny letters' :D

[Alan Cullen]

Well done, Tiger. Looks like a lot of members were hanging out for that list. :D

[Alan Cullen]

Tiger, or anyone else, if you are using single line text, how do you input that code?

I just gave the list to one of our drafties, and he wants to start using the codes straight away.

[SLW210]

Tiger, or anyone else, if you are using single line text, how do you input that code?

I just gave the list to one of our drafties, and he wants to start using the codes straight away.


Just type it in. \u+00BC or if it has an ALT+0188, hold down the ALT key while typing 0188. You have to be in a font that will accept it.

[Strix]

I used to have a Post-it on my monitor with 'Alt 0178' on it - used it all the time, and went nuts whenever I had to clean up anybody else's drawings with stray minute 2s all over the place :roll:

[Alan Cullen]

Well, because of this thread, and because we haven't updated our text styles for 15 years, we just spent the last 3 hours setting up drawing templates, and writing lisp routines, to convert everything from SHX fonts to the equivalent TTF fonts, whenever a drawing is opened. All seems to work well now. o:)

It may take us 15 years to get with it, but eventually we do it. :lol:

Just for interest, we sorted out the conversion problems that were occuring, and now as we open a drawing everything is as it was, just that the text styles now use TTF fonts, and all old text styles automatically changed to TTF fonts.

[Strix]

... and some bosses have a problem with people using internet forums during working hours :lol:

[Tiger]

..gee guys..it's just a list of symbols :oops:


My boss sure as hell shouldn't have a problem with me using this internet forum during work hours...sure, it's a lot of chatting (:oops:) but when there comes a cad-problem I can usually fix it within half hour with your help :)

[Strix]

In my last job I made sure I told the boss I was using CADTutor to help out with the bits I wasn't used to using - and he was fine about it :)

[Thaumaturge]

Tiger,

Out of curiosity I was trying out your list for symbols, misread \U+00B0, typed in \U+0080 and the euro symbol appeared!!! Another for your list.

[Strix]

oh, that'll bug her! she's just put the list up on her office notice board :P

[Tiger]

Aha! I'll add it Thaumaturge - and if Alan and Strix are too lazy to updtae their's (and if they want it that is :P) here's a new txt-file with the Euro in :)

*grumble grumble* She's fast our Strix...I'll just pencil it in the old fashioned way on my personal list then!

[Strix]

lazy? pft!! :P :P :P

[Tiger]

I'm just trying to make your life easier Strix :P

[kmapro]

Good God..what ever happned to just using %%d or %%u?!?!?!

LOL

[SLW210]

I used to have a Post-it on my monitor with 'Alt 0178' on it - used it all the time, and went nuts whenever I had to clean up anybody else's drawings with stray minute 2s all over the place :roll:

You and me both. :?

You can type up what you need in Word, Excell or Notepad and save as .TXT and Import through the Mtext Editor. Sometimes it easier to do superscripts and subscripts etc. that way.

[SLW210]

Good God..what ever happned to just using %%d or %%u?!?!?!

LOL

That is just too easy. :D

[Alan Cullen]

If everyone involved in this would like to go here:

http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17873

and comment.

I finally got around to writting version one of the FAQ, all comments to improved it would be greatly appreciated and accepted. :lol: o:)

[Strix]

okay - having found I need a squared symbol, failed to get alt+0178 to work, and having dug up the FAQ for it, I've found that the second code list works (\U version)

any ideas why guys?

(2006LT this week)

[lpseifert]

okay - having found I need a squared symbol, failed to get alt+0178 to work, and having dug up the FAQ for it, I've found that the second code list works (\U version)

any ideas why guys?


When you entered alt+0178 did you use the Num Pad keys? The number keys above QWERTY won't work when using the alt+ method.

[Strix]

a-hah! thanks Ipseifert :)

darn laptop keyboard :P

(maybe we need a note on the FAQ we've written :roll: )

bookmarked (sorry Alan)

[Alan Cullen]

That's fine, mate. I'll have a look for it and fix it now....

[Strix]

I believe the saying goes:

Cheers mate :thumbsup: