13 replies to this topic

[Mark Petri]

I've gotten some feedback lately that the fonts (especially for dimensions) are difficult to read on my drawings. I have always stuck with SPHAND and use it for everything, but am considering global changes. Does anyone else have poor visibility on their notes or dimensions after exporting via the PDF tool in plan sets? I use 600DPI and export plan sets to PDF via the menu when right clicking on a plan set or plan set page/group. I feel I've noticed some improvement from 2016 to 2018, but wonder if changing the fonts or the way I print to PDF will help?

 

Thanks for any feedback.

 

-Mark

[Steven Kirchoff]

I too use SPHAND  size 5" and have had no problems at all with reading the dimensions.

 

What size font do you use?

[Mark Petri]

I've used 4" on a 1/4" scale. But, I've noticed even at larger sizes sometimes the font is choppy. I think it's improved a little since I set the DPI to 600, but sometimes people still complain. Just had some folks complain that they couldn't make out whether it was a 3 or 8 on a dimension.

[D M]

I use a 5.5" Font Size for 1/4" drawings, .. this PDF is created at 1/4" Scale at 300 dpi, .. I've had no complaints regarding legibility

 

I always use SPHAND, .. to me it's one of the best looking 'architectural hand-drawn' fonts out there.

[Gary McKeon]

I use Arial @ 5.5" for dimensions only as it is probably the "cleanest" font no matter the DPI. I use another font for everything else. 

[Keith Almond]

And just to be my usual anal self, I think SPHAND is possibly the UGLIEST typeface I've ever seen - AutoCad's ARCHQUIK font is far superior.

 

I use 4" CALIBRI for dimensions and 4" CORBEL for detail notes.

[D M]

.. hmm

[Mark Petri]

Thanks for the feedback. I am going to do some test runs on different pages to see the effects of different options.

[Jason Bishop]

Mark-

I too have issues. I changed several years ago to a 5" SPELV for dimensions and opening sizes.

 

I use SPHANDCOMPRESSED for notes.

 

No more issues.

[Sam Morgan]

I changed all of my default fonts to ARIAL since its a universal font across most computer applications.  Makes it cleaner when exporting to DWG to send to engineers.

[Mark Petri]

Thanks guys. It seems I have to take a look at some different options. I certainly do not want issues with frustrated carpenters not being able to read something and building it wrong or blaming me for issues.

[Keith Almond]

There's no excuse for them doing it wrong. if they can't read something on the plan they should ASK!

[Yvon Gonthier]

I use to use SPHand compressed extensively and SPHAND but switched many years ago because of problems with files that I would send because most people don't have those fonts. I would send the fonts and tell them to install it but most wouldn't or was a problem when they changed computers.

 

Don't think so but does that apply to Pdf's?

[Joseph Smith]

I use SPHAND for everything but not opposed to ARIAL.  Arial appears to be the cleanest and easiest on the eyes.