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

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.

Follow on Linkedin More Content by Ryan Wunderlich