How To Get Text Outline In AutoCAD?

Steps to Create Text Outlines in AutoCAD

Transforming text into outlines in AutoCAD is crucial for various design workflows, especially when you need to create precise vector shapes. Here’s a detailed guide on how to achieve this:

Step 1: Access the Express Tools

1. Launch your AutoCAD 2025 project and navigate to the top menu.
2. Click on the “Express Tools” icon, which houses various functions designed to enhance your workflow.

Step 2: Explode the Text

1. Locate the “Modify Text” dropdown in the toolbar.
2. Select the “Explode” option. This function allows you to convert text objects into polylines.
3. Click on the text that you wish to outline. This is the text that will be turned into vector shapes.

Step 3: Confirm the Conversion

1. After selecting the text, press the “Enter” key on your keyboard.
2. The selected text will now be converted into individual polylines or shapes, allowing for editing and manipulation just like any other drawing object.

Additional Tips for Handling Text in AutoCAD

Changing Text Types

1. Go to the Home tab and find the Annotation panel.
2. Click on “Text Style.”
3. In the Text Style dialog box, you can create a new style by clicking “New” or modify existing ones. Make sure to adjust the font, size, and other relevant settings according to your design needs.

Converting Multi-line Text to Single Line

Should you need to switch Multi-line Text (Mtext) to standard text, follow these steps:

1. Select the Mtext object.
2. Enter the command “X” (for explode) in the command line and confirm by pressing “Enter.”
3. Your Mtext will change to individual text segments, which can be edited further.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I change the outline color in AutoCAD?
Yes, you can change the color of the outlines by selecting the newly created polylines and using the properties palette to adjust the color settings.

2. Is it possible to convert outlines back to text?
Converting outlines back to editable text directly in AutoCAD is not supported. However, using OCR tools in software like Adobe Illustrator can help recognize and convert outlined text back into a format that can be edited.

3. What other ways can I manipulate text in AutoCAD?
Apart from outlining, you can use commands such as “Text to MText” to convert text types, or employ various editing tools to manipulate text for sizing, styling, and positioning within your design.