Cadtales

SPECIAL CHARACTERS

AutoCAD has long had “special codes” to underline text (%%u), and to create special symbols: Degree symbol “°” (%%d), plus/minus sign “±” (%%p) and diameter, indicated by a Phi symbol “Φ”. These codes can be typed literally into the Single Line Text (SLT) and the Enhanced Multi-line Text (EMT) editors, except that the %%u code has been discontinued in the EMT editor with the addition of the Word-like text formatting toolbar. (Figure 1)

Figure 1 - Enhanced Multi-line Text Editor Toolbar

The “@” button and list arrow, just above the word “Toolbar” in the caption, is your gateway to all the standard and special symbols, characters, numbers, punctuation and many graphic symbols, in English and many foreign languages. For the purposes of this brief article we’ll use the all-inclusive “symbols” to describe this vast collection of text and graphic objects.

Symbol codes fall into three categories, differentiated mainly by the method of insertion and whether or not it is supported by the text editor:

1.   AutoCAD Codes

• The %%u code for underline is used only in the SLT editor.

• The %%c, %%d and %%p codes are used in both the SLT and EMT editors.

        As noted earlier, these codes are typed literally into the line of text at the proper location for the        
        symbol. Formatting is automatic.

2.  UNICODES

 

Unicode (HEX)* is an industry convention that assigns an HEX * code to symbols, (“u+00ae” is the ® symbol – upper or lower case letters are acceptable). A select group of Unicode symbols are available in the “@” menu on the EMT toolbar. (See Figure 2) In AutoCAD the Unicode must have a leading “\” (backslash) character preceding the Unicode (\u+00ae for the ® symbol). Unicodes are not supported in the SLT editor.

* Refers to the base-16 number system, which consists of 16 unique symbols: the numbers 0 to 9 and the letters A to F. For example, the decimal number 15 is represented as F in the hexadecimal numbering system.

 

3.  ASCII Codes

 

ASCII codes are simply text equivalents of the Unicodes above. (Alt+0174 is the ® symbol). ASCII numbers are easier to use and remember when inserting symbols and special characters from MS Character Map into the EMT editor in AutoCAD. The MS Character Map can be set to show either or both codes for a given symbol. ASCII codes are not supported in the SLT editor.

 

Figure 2 - AutoCAD Symbols and Unicode Short List


INSERTING A SYMBOL INTO A TEXT OBJECT USING THE EMT EDITOR:

• AutoCAD code: Place the cursor at the desired location; type two percent signs (%%), followed immediately by the letter c, d or p (upper or lower case will do) and a space. The symbol will appear after pressing the space bar.

• Unicode: Place the cursor at the desired location; type “\u+xxxx” just as it appears in the list in Figure 2 above, followed by a space. The symbol will appear after pressing the space bar. You can also use any of the Unicodes from the Character Map in this manner – just be sure to add the leading “\” (backslash).

• ASCII code: Place the cursor at the desired location; hold the ALT key while typing the numbers (ignore the “Alt+”). When you release the ALT key the symbol will appear.

• The “Non-breaking Space” menu choice is a “hard” space that will not be removed by automatic word-wrap and paragraph formatting.

• The “Other” menu choice at the bottom of the list will open the MS Character Map program giving you access to thousands of symbols in most of the commercially available fonts and a host of foreign languages. (See Figure 3)

Figure 3 - The MS Character Map

 

The MS Character Map

Moving selected characters and symbols from the Character Map to the AutoCAD EMT editor is a two-step operation. In the Character Map select and copy the symbol(s) to the clipboard. In AutoCAD, paste the symbol(s) into the editor. You can copy and paste several symbols at one time, then move and copy as needed to complete the text. Pasting symbols is not supported in the SLT editor.

• Font: Selects the font family of symbols required to match your text.

• Characters to copy: Place holder for selected symbols.

• Click a symbol to highlight and show an enlarged view.

• Double-click a symbol, or click a symbol and press the Select button, to add to the copy window.

• Pause the cursor over any symbol and a Tool Tip will reveal the Unicode and title.

• A status line at the bottom of the Character Map shows the Unicode (left side) and the ASCII code (right side) for the selected symbol.

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Do you see a productivity and quality benefit to applying Special Characters to your documents and drawings? Call your Hagerman sales representative about software upgrades, training and customization.