Text conundrum

[RBPrice]

In 2008, one could create some Mtext using a type font named ISOCPEUR and type of line of text. One could then go to the Express Tools/text/explode text function. That would explode the text and one could then manipulate it so that one had a bunch of letters that were polylines. One could then extrude the polylines and either add or subtract them from a solid and create either recessed or proud lettering on a part. That meant you could mark a casting or a molded part just like in the real world.

 

But in the fully advanced, super dooper, state-of-the-art, fantasmagorical (sp) AutoCAD 2013, if one goes to Express Tools and selects the explode function, the command TXTEXP is not recognized as a valid command.

 

Does anyone have a solution to this problem?

 

Thanks very much.

[SLW210]

You first have to Explode the MTEXT then run TXTEXP on the TEXT, I believe this was the procedure in 2008 as well.

 

If you go to the AutoCAd app store there is a Text to Geometry program available.

[RBPrice]

Nope - just went to my standby computer, fired up 2008 and went thru the procedure I outlined. One has to use the Explode Text command in Express Tools first then use the plain vanilla Explode to get to the individual parts of the letters.

 

Can that app be loaded onto my workstation or is it just for smart phones?

 

Thanks

[SLW210]

It is for AutoCAD on workstation.

[RBPrice]

I shall go to the App store and see if I can download that and report back.

[rkent]

Nope - just went to my standby computer, fired up 2008 and went thru the procedure I outlined. One has to use the Explode Text command in Express Tools first then use the plain vanilla Explode to get to the individual parts of the letters.

 

Can that app be loaded onto my workstation or is it just for smart phones?

 

Thanks

 

It is irrelevant how 2008 handles the task, SLW210 gave you the procedure for 2013. If you start with Mtext, explode it, then use txtexp. I would suggest at that point to change layers, draw a rectangle around the exploded text, use bpoly and select outside the text and inside any letters like A or O. Finally lock the original layer and move the new layer, move on from there.

[RBPrice]

Well rkent - on my version of 2013 when I follow your orders, I get the results that I previously posted - TXTEXP is not recognized as a valid command. Plse don't hit me as I bruise easily.

[rkent]

Didn't intend to come across as anything but neutral. So either load express tools or go old school and use wmfout and wmfin.

 

Change the text width to slightly larger than 1, like 1.0001, wmfout, then wmfin, scale by 2, and then do the bpoly method I talked about earlier.

[nestly]

TXTEXP is not recognized as a valid command.

 

Do the other Express Tools work? Does it work after you type EXPRESSTOOLS at the command line. Please paste the text from the command window (F2) immediately after you attempt to use the TXTEXP Command

 

This is from my AutoCAD2013:

 

Command:

Command: TXTEXP

 

Select text to be EXPLODED:

[RBPrice]

Express Tools are on the rRibbon and there is a drop-down box that has the explode test function on it. So either they are currupted or the installation is flawed. My version of 2013 has always been a bit squirrly because it is a subset of Product Design Suite Professional and is a "vanilla" version of Mechanical 2013.

 

I just checked and none of the Express Tools commands work so apparently I need to fix that.