turning text into lines

[RocketSurgeon]

Is there a way to turn typed text into drawn lines? I'm trying to have a separate program read the lines and not the text which was written.

[ReMark]

Try enabling Quick Text. Lines of text appear as rectangles.

[eldon]

Or perhaps explode the text, using Express Tools.

[ReMark]

What exactly does this separate program do when you say it "reads the lines"?

[RocketSurgeon]

I am attempting to use a cnc punch machine to punch out the letters. my cnc program is recognizing the text as such, instead of an actual line. I have attempted to explode, and it exploded to three separate text lines, yet it is still text. I don't know what quick text is.

[RocketSurgeon]

quick text did change what my cnc software was reading, but it is still not recognizing it as individual lines. it is still text. quick text removed the \P page breaks in the text.

[RocketSurgeon]

using express tools to explode, worked for me. thank you very much.

[ReMark]

So now that your text has been reduced to lines will the software you mention read them in as well? Be careful what you wish for.

[SuperCAD]

We do this all the time with our CNC guy. I explode the text which creates a ton of polylines, then I explode the polylines, go and clean up all of the "extra" lines that are created, PEDIT, join and close them, then save them in as a DXF file. Then my CNC guy can open them up in ASPAN and let the machine take care of the rest.

[ReMark]

Now if all the text were on a separate layer it could be frozen and all the linework WBlocked out of the drawing. No more exploding text, cleaning up, Pedit, etc. Think of the possibilities!

[SuperCAD]

I think you lost me there.

[RocketSurgeon]

When I exploded using my AutoCAD LT, I didn't get the results I was looking for. I sent the file to a co-worker who exploded using ExpressTools. Then I was able to PEDIT, join and close them. My issue is now resolved, but I am curious if I could have just WBlocked it. I have a similar job to complete Monday to try that theory out on. I appreciate everyone's help.

[eldon]

When I exploded using my AutoCAD LT, I didn't get the results I was looking for.

 

I am sure that when I posted my reply about exploding with Express Tools, you had not indicated that you were using LT. I see you have now changed it.

 

It is very important to show what version you are using, so that answers are relevant (as far as possible)

[SuperCAD]

I don't understand how WBlocking would have helped at all. If your setup is anything like ours, the lines HAVE to be polylines and the file HAS to be a DXF in order for my CNC guy to be able to read it.

 

You might be better off asking the CNC person what software he's using and then try and look for a set of instructions that tell you how to create the files for it.

[RocketSurgeon]

I am sure that when I posted my reply about exploding with Express Tools, you had not indicated that you were using LT. I see you have now changed it.

 

It is very important to show what version you are using, so that answers are relevant (as far as possible)

 

 

And I did catch that as well (after the fact), and immediately updated it. I didn't realize there were so many differences between the two versions, till I got stuck with LT about a month ago.