Adding a Font to Microvellum
This article will explain the process of adding new fonts to Microvellum software, both in drawing space and the Report Designer feature.
Microvellum offers an array of fonts for users to customize their text in reports, documents, and drawings. New fonts can be added to the software, though the process and format may slightly differ based on how the font is intended to be used.
Font File Types
Before adding new fonts to the software, it is necessary to note the different font file types supported by the software. Different Microvellum software products support different file types: Microvellum AC supports the same 3 font file types that AutoCAD does: .shx (Shape file fonts), .ttf (TrueType fonts), and .otf (OpenType fonts). Microvellum BSB, however, only supports .shx and .ttf font files.
To briefly explain the differences between each:
- Shape file fonts use geometric shapes—like lines and arcs—to form characters. This design allows text to load quickly and use minimal disk space, making them ideal for text-heavy drawings. However, since characters are geometric rather than text-based, they cannot be searched, parsed, or edited in documents like PDFs. When documents with this text are imported into programs like Microvellum, the text often fragments into separate line segments.
- TrueType fonts consist of a single set of coded glyph characters, allowing for text data storage and use by applications like Microsoft Word. Once installed, they are recognized by the Windows operating system and accessible to many programs. Of the 3 file types supported, they offer a balance between performance and functionality—more versatile than .shx files but faster-loading than .otf files.
- OpenType fonts expand on TrueType by offering a wide glyph set with many alternative characters, enabling greater text customization and stylization. These fonts are also system-registered but have larger file sizes due to their complexity. Though they load more slowly, they offer superior visual quality and editing flexibility, making them ideal for professional documents and design projects.
With the differences in performance and functionality, it is necessary to evaluate which file type the font you intend to import should utilize. Microvellum AC can convert .shp (Shape definition) or .pfb (PostScript font) files into .shx files using the COMPILE command. Type the command into the command bar, browse to the file location, then select it.
Adding Fonts to Microvellum
To add a new font to Microvellum, you must copy the file to the ‘Fonts’ folder.
- This folder will be found under the C:\Program Files\Microvellum\Toolbox OEM 20XX\Fonts (if using the OEM version of the software), C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20XX\Fonts (if using Microvellum AC), or C:\Program Files\Microvellum\Toolbox V25 en_US\Fonts (if using Microvellum BSB).
- Drag and drop the new font file into the folder.
- If the software is currently open, it is necessary to close and re-open it.
- Do note and remember: Microvellum BSB only supports .shx and .ttf files, not .otf files.
Text Styles
Fonts cannot be assigned directly to text. Rather, the font must be associated with a specific Text Style. Text Styles are text configurations comprised of a specific font, font styles (such as italic, semibold, bold, etc.), options for text dimensioning, and options for text visuals. Multiple text styles are available for use, and the creation of new text styles is possible via the menu. In Microvellum AC and OEM, the default text style is Annotative, to ensure that text is always scaled properly with models and shop drawings. In Microvellum BSB, the default text style is Standard rather than Annotative.
The process for creating a new text style or changing the font of the default text style varies between different Microvellum products.
Microvellum OEM/AC:
- Type STYLE into the command bar to open the Text Style menu.
- Check that the new font is present in the “Font Name” dropdown menu.
- If the font is not present, repeat the previous steps, or close and re-open the software.
- If you intend to use the same font for all text across all the project, you can set the font as the default of the Annotative style.
- If it is not, it is recommended to instead create a new text style.
- Click the “New” button on the right-hand side of the interface, name the new style as you see fit, and select the new font that you’ve added “Font Name” dropdown menu.
- Click “Apply” and close the menu.
- Select your new text style and click “Apply” once again. All new text being created in model space, paper space, or any other drawings should now use your new font.
Microvellum BSB:
The process in Microvellum BSB is similar to that above, but with slight differences in interface names and saving. The Microvellum BSB Style Manager is located in the Drawing Explorer.
- Type STYLE into the command bar to open the Text Style menu.
- Check that the new font is present in the “Saved Font” dropdown menu. It is recommended to have the project you intend to use your new font in open, as only the Annotative and Standard styles will be displayed if no project is open.
- If the font is not present, repeat the previous steps, or close and re-open the software.
- If you intend to use the same font for all text across all the project, you can set the font as the default of the Standard style.
- If it is not, it is recommended to instead create a new text style.
- Click the “New” button on the upper left-hand side of the interface, name the new style as you see fit, and select the new font that you’ve added from the “Saved Font” dropdown menu.
- Right-click the style, then select "Set Current" and close the menu. All new text being created in model space, paper space, or any other drawings should now use your new font.
Editing Existing Text
If you would like to apply the font to text that already exists in a project, the style can be applied using the attribute editor.
- Double-click the text in the block you would like to edit.
- Select the text attribute you would like to change.
- Switch to the “Text Options” tab, then select the correct style from the Text Style dropdown menu.
This may need to be applied to multiple different strings of text to convert the entirety of the block to the desired font.
Adding Fonts to Report Designer
The previous section specifically applies to changing the font of text that will be typed in drawing blocks, such as paper space. The process for changing the font of text in Report Designer is slightly different. It is required to use either .ttf or .otf files for the font, as the Report Designer only recognizes fonts with glyph coding that can be detected by the Windows system, which .shx file fonts do not possess. To install a new font and use it in Report Designer, open the same Fonts folder as above, drag and drop the .ttf or .otf file into the folder, then right-click on the new file and select the “Install for all users” option from the menu. This will require administrative permissions on your device.
To verify your new font has been properly installed, open the "Settings" application and search for “Font Settings”. Within the Font Settings page, search the available fonts for your new one. If it is displayed, the font will be available for use within the Report Designer, selectable from the “Appearance” menu. For information on changing fonts within Report Designer, consult the following article.
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