Font to lines and curves

[Anonymous]

Is there a way to change a font to lines and curves? I want a line type that has text in the line, example, water lines, gas lines, electrical lines, utility lines, etc. Thanks

[Aussie John]

try and mimic a letter/line using drawing primative like circles and straight lines.- splines wont work in line type creation

Otherwise you might need a program like freehand /illustrator which can convert all fonts to outlines and then export then to DXF

[Anonymous]

You can also use the 3D text object and explode it in plan view.

[Anonymous]

The 3D text worked. Thanks

[Durval]

Aussie wrote:
Otherwise you might need a program like freehand /illustrator which can convert all fonts to outlines and then export then to DXF

Are you sure FreeHand can export files in DXF? I've been trying to do this right now without luck...

[Anonymous]

Mark wrote:
You can also use the 3D text object and explode it in plan view.

... but don't forget to;

a) ensure that your magic wand settings are appropriate before exploding
b) 'check for duplicates' before you copy-paste into your line-type

- Stuart

PS. Sometimes I have found it useful to make the text REALLY BIG before exploding and then using a resize ...

[Anonymous]

Great tip, Mark!
I've always had to witch to AutoCAD to explode text before!

[Aussie John]

Durval wrote:

Aussie wrote:
Otherwise you might need a program like freehand /illustrator which can convert all fonts to outlines and then export then to DXF

Are you sure FreeHand can export files in DXF? I've been trying to do this right now without luck...

Well You used to be able to do it (at least import) but I just looked again now and no luck. Sorry for the bum steer