When plotting drawings to PDF there are options to convert text to geometry. This embeds the text in the drawing, however, after checking 'convert text to geometry' in the PDF print options it still plots SHX fonts files as comments in the PDF document. The SHX text is NOT converted to geometry and plots as comments in the PDF. There is a command I often forget to change called PDFSHX Setting the sysvar to zero ---- PDFSHX=0 will convert all .shx text to geometry when plotting.

If you have made some dynamic blocks which are: annotative, dynamic and have an attribute in them containing text which is also annotative and to 'match orientaiton layout' --- Also remember there is an option in the properties of the block itself....to match the orientation layout. just in case you can't figure out why some blocks are not keeping orientating to their layout.

Although this is mainly regarding a PDF, this applies to AutoCAD and Civil 3D. I've been working on a detail library in PDF format for various utility details for engineers to 'browse' through and pick out certain details to include in a set. The PDF document I made from multiple PDF sheets is about 1,000 pages. Now every time I add/modify the document there is a "consolidating duplicate fonts" progress bar on the bottom right. This can take up some time and it is quite an ordeal for 1,000 pages. This is due to a font not embedding into the document, I found this by running Preflight to analyze the issues with the document. The font that could not be embedded in the document is simplex.shx. Now Acrobat embeds this font by finding the font in c:\windows\fonts folder and hard coding the font in the PDF document. There is a True type simplex font in the system. I don't know why it cannot embedded it. However, simply changing the font style in the cad drawings with another font. In this case i switched simplex.shx to romans.shx printed out the PDF document and did not have a problem with fonts unable to be 'embeded'. This removed the "consolidating duplicate fonts" issue with my document. I hope this helps to clear up and speed up PDF document making. Some .shx CAD fonts may not work too well when you print them to PDF.

You learn something new everyday with AutoCAD. I just found out the MEASUREGEOM (Measure geometry) command has a Q option . Q stands for Quick. It measures everything related to where you are pointing the crosshairs. Extremely handy when checking your own work, or someone else's work.

Autodesk Design Review-transparency not plotting to printer. The .dwf drawing is displayed properly in Design Review, but when it's sent to print to a hardcopy it does not print transparencies. There is an option on the print dialog under the advanced button (lower left corner of the print dialog box ). The option for "Turn data into a bitmap before printing" must be checked. Thanks to Ben Wu at Autodesk for finding the solution. Source: Autodesk Forums

It is very annoying how the section editor view is configured out of the box on Civil 3D:

The markers are way too big for Out of the Box. These Markers on the subassembly points are different on the Section Editor and are hard to find out which markers they are in the many markers that exist.

This is what I recommend to change(shown with a red tick) Click link for image The other change I recommend is to reduce the scale of the markers in the preview window

The markers are different than those you've chosen on your style to display on your drawing. Under Settings , Multipurpose Styles>Marker Styles> Projection in Section

Reduce the scale of the marker to be able to see your section properly, the default can set at 0.01" and to use the drawing scale to change the size when you zoom in/out.

click image to see large markers

Now the markers are at a more easier to see size. Click image to see smaller markers

Adding layouts from one drawing to another without using Design Center.

Copying layouts are very handy to recreate drawings from one project to another. This is essential in trying to keep paperspace and viewport layouts in the same areas for different drawings.

 I was trying to add layouts from one drawing to another using Design Center. When I selected the layout and 

right-clicked and selected 'Add layout' my drawing command line would state "Layout (s) added. However, there was no layout(s) added unto my drawing. I searched in vain for a solution since Design Center is very handy to use. I found i had to use a simpler way to add the layout(s) by going to the layout tabs and selecting any layout and right-clicking ,then choosing "From template.." The importing of layouts from a template .dwt also allows you add layouts from any .dwg file. If the layout is imported a short loading will take place and the lower right part of the window will have a loading bar stating "Scanning drawing". Once the layout is successfully imported it will be the last layout in the drawing.

Some entities remain grayed out or in a certain color on display in modelspace.

This is can be solved by using MAPDISPLAYMANAGER command Then choosing STYLIZATION , set to OFF. Colors on entities should display once more.

From an AUGI discussion post https://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?171267-LAYER-AND-MODEL-SPACE-COLORS-NOT-SHOWING-PROPERLY

update 2-22-2026 Found an autodesk article to fix the issue

this stops the map display stylization from occurring again in the same drawing.

This really stumped be for a bit in civil 3D, glad someone in AUGI ran into the same problem.

I hope we can discuss questions, ideas and useful tips in working with Autodesk's Civil 3D. Most of the solutions found on the internet on Civil 3D are due to the answers provided by civil designers groups. We can also exchange tips and ideas to produce better drafting design practices.