When working in ZWCAD or other CAD software, font selection plays a key role in both the appearance and performance of your drawing. Two common font types used in ZWCAD are SHX and TTF fonts. Each has its own strengths, and choosing the right one depends on your project requirements.
SHX fonts are shape fonts designed specifically for CAD software. These fonts use simple strokes to represent characters and symbols. The .shx file extension is unique to this format, which also includes compiled shape files for technical symbols or custom linetypes.
SHX fonts are lightweight, load quickly, and are ideal for drawings that require maximum performance and minimal file size. They’re most commonly used for annotations, dimensions, and technical labels - especially in industries where speed and portability matter.
Pros:
Cons:
TTF (TrueType Fonts) are system-level fonts commonly used across Windows, macOS, and many software programs. They use outline-based definitions, which allow for smooth, detailed rendering of text at any size. These fonts are stored as .ttf files and are typically installed in your operating system's font library.
In ZWCAD, TTF fonts are often used when presentation quality or multilingual text support is required. They are better suited for titles, printed drawings, or exported PDFs where the text appearance needs to be sharp and visually appealing.
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Pros:
Cons:
| Aspect | SHX Fonts | TTF Fonts |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Space | Smaller file size, lightweight | Larger file size due to font detail |
| Display Speed | Faster rendering, ideal for large drawings | Slower rendering, especially in complex projects |
| Accuracy | Highly accurate in character width and height (CAD-native) | Lower accuracy due to reliance on external system fonts |
| Special Effects | Supports line-type effects such as thickness and styling | Does not support CAD-specific effects like line weight control |
| Aesthetics | Basic appearance, less visually refined | Smoother and more polished, better for presentation or printing |
| Printing | May vary in thickness/density depending on color layers | Consistent appearance, unaffected by color layer settings |
Here, we take architectural drawings as an example.
SHX fonts are recommended for elements such as dimensions, door and window numbers, index text, leader notes, and axis labels. These types of text often appear in large quantities, so using SHX fonts helps reduce file size and ensures smoother performance.
Additionally, in architectural printing workflows, it is common to turn the base drawing gray to distinguish it from other disciplines. SHX fonts respond well to this grayscale adjustment, whereas TTF fonts may not, potentially leading to inconsistent output.
Furthermore, SHX fonts offer high geometric accuracy, particularly in character width and spacing, which is essential for maintaining precision in technical drawings.
TTF fonts are better suited for areas where visual quality takes priority over technical constraints, such as title blocks, drawing titles, and tables of contents. With their refined appearance and smooth curves, TTF fonts deliver a more polished and professional look, making them ideal for the presentation sections of architectural documentation.
To use SHX files in your drawings, you can load them as fonts or shape definitions in ZWCAD.
Step 1. Find a .shx file and open it with Notepad, if the first row of this file contains shapes then it is a shape file.
Step 2. Input the LOAD command in ZWCAD to load this shape file.
Step 3. Run the SHAPE command and input ? to display all the usable shapes contained in this shape file as below shown.
Step 4. Input the SHAPE command again and input the shape name to insert the shape into drawing area.
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