Missing DXF text: turn the intended lettering into geometry

Text in a CAD drawing is not always imported as cutting geometry. Decide whether you need an engraved centreline, filled lettering or cut-out letter shapes before converting it.

Keep an editable original

A font-dependent text object can change appearance when the receiving system lacks the font or ignores text entities. Save the original text and font information. Convert a separate copy when you need portable outlines. Outlined lettering no longer behaves like editable text and may contain many curves or small features.

Use a documented conversion in the source tool

AutoCAD’s documented TXTEXP Express Tool converts TEXT and MTEXT into polylines. Check its availability in your installation and inspect the resulting letter shapes. For another CAD program, use its own documented outline conversion rather than assuming that a command called Explode has the same result. A conversion that splits a string into letters does not necessarily create cutting contours.

Check how the letters will manufacture

Inspect the inner regions of letters such as A, B and O and decide how detached islands will be retained if cutting through a sheet. Confirm that small strokes are compatible with the tool and material. DXF Medic does not replace a text editor or supply missing fonts. Diagnose the resulting supported contours, then verify the fill or cutting preview and final size in the destination application.

Sources

• Autodesk AutoCAD TXTEXP reference