How to add fonts to AutoCAD-based products

July 15, 2024 Ryan Wunderlich

Applies to:
All AutoCAD-based Products

Issue:
You have Custom fonts used in your drawings:
Either Shape Fonts – SHX
TrueType Fonts – TTF
Open Type Fonts – OTF 
and you don’t have them available for use in your AutoCAD version.

Causes:
The fonts are missing from your system (OTF and TTF), or you are not mapped to the source folder (SHX).

Solution:
For SHX fonts you have two options:
1. Copy the SHX fonts to C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20xx\Fonts where AutoCAD 20xx is your version.
2. If the fonts are in a specific folder or location (local machine or server), then we need to add a support path to them.

a. Open Options in AutoCAD
b. In the Files Tab, highlight the Support File Search Path, then Click Add, then click Browse and browse to the folder where they are located. 
When finished, click OK, then you will need to close and reopen AutoCAD to see if the fonts now show up.
Note: TTF and OTF fonts in this location will not be read by AutoCAD, you will need to install them on the Windows system.  Be aware that excessive SHX files being read by AutoCAD can cause delays for certain operations, so it’s recommended that you place only what you need and not every SHX that you have.

Fun fact, if you have custom SHX files used for linetype definitions, you can also place them in this folder and only need to path this single folder for them to also work, they will not usually be picked up by Text Style dialog box, so you cannot accidentally use them as a Text style.

For TTF and OTF Fonts
Navigate to the file, Right mouse click on the file and select either Install or Install for All Users (you will need Administrator rights to do the Install for all users)
 

Again, you will need to close and reopen AutoCAD to see this change occur.

About the Author

Ryan Wunderlich

Support Team Manager - AEC Team<br><br>An AutoCAD Certified Professional, Ryan is responsible for taking client cases and assisting with issues with the software - everything from regular glitches to software deployments and whatever else goes wrong. He's proficient in AutoCAD (including customization), VBA, LISP, and Civil 3D.

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