Starting a new Civil 3D Template when a custom SHX is used in a text style

Issue:

You want to start a new template and you have a custom SHX used for one or more text styles that are used in some Civil 3D object Styles.

Solution:

Be careful and aware of what happens in the following scenarios:

Scenario 1:

1. Start C3D
2. Create a new drawing using the acad.dwt template
3. Create a new style using the custom SHX (not a built-in one)
   
    
4. Create a new Label (I used Spot Elevation) and use the new text style:
   
    
5. In Layout, as soon as you modify the contents, it adds that \Proxy and breaks the style:
   
    
6. So, your only option here is to use a TTF during the build of the styles, then change the Text style when done.  However, any manual edits or on-the-fly changes will break the style.

Scenario 2:

1. Start C3D
2. Create a new drawing using the _AutoCAD Civil 3D (Imperial) NCS.dwt template
3. Create a new style using the custom SHX (not a built-in one)
   
    
4. Create a new Label (I used Spot Elevation) and use the new text style:
   
    
5. In Layout, you can modify the contents with no issues (it will not add the \Proxy):
   
    
6. So, this is a viable option (if custom SHX are needed for labels), but you’ll have to purge styles, layers, etc.) and reset a few things to get this to work.

Scenario 3:

1. Start C3D
2. Create a new drawing using the acad.dwt template
3. Create a new style using a built-in SHX (not a custom one)
   
    
4. Create a new Label (I used Spot Elevation) and use the new text style:
   
    
5. Following the previous steps, this works as desired, but if you change that style to a custom SHX, it will break as soon as you edit the text or style. And will add the \Proxy to the Contents.

Final Observations:

This appears to be a long-broken issue, when using a non-C3D specific template, so it’s creating the Standard Styles on the fly, and is causing the break with the Custom SHX to occur.

About the Author

Sr. Technical Support Specialist<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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