Entire design institutes standardized their template files ( .dwt ) around hztxt.shx . If you received a CAD drawing from a Chinese firm, you could bet your salary that it required hztxt.shx . Without it, every Chinese note would appear as a string of question marks or empty rectangles.
is a specialized "Big Font" file used in AutoCAD and other CAD software to correctly display Chinese characters . Why it is a "useful piece":
hztxt.shx is common in older or specific Chinese engineering standards, modern AutoCAD usage is moving toward using TrueType fonts or standardized Asian SHX files included with the software to enhance interoperability, as mentioned in AutoCAD support discussions . Summary hztxt.shx is a crucial resource for architects and engineers working on CAD drawings requiring Simplified Chinese text. Ensuring it is correctly installed and referenced within AutoCAD style settings is essential for accurate, professional technical drawing communication. Note: This information is accurate for 2026, though modern CAD workflows continue to favor font compatibility and font mapping tools. AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses Copy Creating a public link... You can now share this thread with others Good response Bad response 6 sites Chinese font change to question mark - Autodesk Oct 8, 2023 — hztxt.shx
Download or get a copy of hztxt.shx from a trusted source (e.g., from the original creator of the drawing or reputable CAD font sites).
To the uninitiated, it is merely a file. To the seasoned drafter, it is the gold standard for technical legibility and the reliable bridge between English annotations and East Asian typography. Entire design institutes standardized their template files (
: Standard SHX fonts only support up to 255 characters. hztxt.shx acts as a paired "Big Font" that provides the thousands of characters needed for Asian languages.
Never delete hztxt.shx . One day, an old drawing from 1999 will land on your desk, and only that humble stroke font will unlock its secrets. is a specialized "Big Font" file used in
Open your drawing again. The Chinese characters should now display correctly. Chinese font change to question mark - Autodesk
: It is the standard solution when Chinese text in a drawing appears as rows of question marks ( ?????? ) or garbled text.