Converting text to polylines is a useful process when you need to manipulate text as drawing geometry. This is especially helpful when you want to extrude text or use the text in 3D models. Text objects, like regular TEXT or MTEXT, are not typically treated as drawing geometry, which means you cannot perform certain operations on them directly. 

Issue:

Need to convert text to polyline, but unable to do so. You may find it challenging to convert TEXT or MTEXT into polylines, especially when they want to use the text for tasks like 3D modeling and extrusions. Since text entities are not recognized as drawing objects, performing certain operations such as scaling or modifying them as shapes is not possible unless they are converted into polylines.

Solution:

Step 1 :

Find Express in the classic menu, then click Text→ Convert Text to Pline. 

The Express Tools menu provides many useful commands that are not included in the standard toolset. The Convert Text to Pline command is part of the Express Tools and allows you to convert text or multiline text objects (MTEXT) into polylines. This is especially useful when you want to apply transformations such as stretching, extruding, or hatching to the text.

Step 2 :

Then, you can select the text to convert the TEXT/MTEXT into lines.

After selecting Convert Text to Pline, you will be prompted to choose the text objects you want to convert. Once you select the text, it will convert the line into a series of connected polylines that represent the shape of the text. 

Example illustration: 

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

1. The converted text looks distorted:

Sometimes, after converting, the text may look distorted or unclear. This is usually due to font scaling or issues with the original text style. To prevent this, make sure the text size and font are appropriate before converting. If the distortion occurs, you can adjust the polyline’s properties to correct it.

2. Converting large amounts of text:

When working with a large volume of text, converting all of it to polylines at once can slow down your computer or cause performance issues. In such cases, try converting text in smaller batches or breaking the text into separate parts to make the process smoother.

3. Unintended line breaks in MTEXT:

When converting MTEXT, the text might break into separate polylines where the lines of text were originally divided. You can fix this by carefully editing the polylines and merging or joining them as necessary.

Best Practices for Converting Text to Polylines

● Check font and size:

Before converting text to polylines, ensure that the font size and style are consistent with the design. This will help prevent unexpected distortions during the conversion.

● Consider layer management:

Create a specific layer for your text that will later be converted to polylines. This helps in organizing your drawing and makes it easier to modify the polyline later.

● Use the "Join" command:

After converting the text to polylines, you may want to join all individual line segments into a continuous polyline. Use the JOIN command to combine them, making the shape easier to modify.

● Keep the original text as a reference:

In some cases, it may be useful to keep the original text visible as a reference while working with the polyline version. You can make the original text layer a reference layer or adjust its opacity to keep it as a guide.

Conclusion

Converting text to polylines is a simple but effective technique that expands your design capabilities. Whether you're creating 3D models, applying hatches, or simply editing text with more precision, turning text into polylines unlocks a variety of possibilities. The process is easy to execute through the Express Tools, and understanding when and why to use this feature can save you time and improve your design efficiency.

By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure that your text is fully compatible with your drawing tools and ready for more advanced design tasks.