a legacy AutoCAD "Big Font" file used to display Arabic text
. Unlike modern TrueType fonts (TTF), it maps standard English keyboard characters (ASCII 32–127) to Arabic glyphs. This means if you type "A" with this font active, you will see an Arabic letter instead of an English one. Safe Software How to Use Xarab.shx in AutoCAD
To use or "create content" with this font, follow these steps:
"One or more SHX files are missing. What do you want to do ... - Autodesk 17 Nov 2025 —
Xarab.shx is a specialized shape font (SHX) used primarily for displaying Arabic text within AutoCAD. Unlike standard Windows fonts, SHX fonts are native to AutoCAD and are rendered as a series of pen strokes, making them efficient for technical drafting and plotting. Understanding Xarab.shx and SHX Fonts
In the AutoCAD environment, text is typically handled in two ways: through Windows TrueType fonts (TTF) or native SHX "shape" fonts. Xarab.shx (sometimes referred to as Xarb.shx) is a "Big Font" or custom shape file designed to handle the complexities of the Arabic alphabet, which requires specific character joining and right-to-left orientation that older CAD versions often struggled with.
Stroke-Based Rendering: SHX fonts like Xarab are not made of pixels but vectors. This ensures they remain crisp regardless of zoom level and maintain a low file size during export.
Compatibility: Because Xarab.shx is a custom font, it is often not included in the standard AutoCAD installation. If a colleague sends you a drawing containing this font and you don't have it installed, the text may appear as unrecognizable symbols or go missing entirely. How to Install Xarab.shx in AutoCAD
To use Xarab.shx, you must place the file in a directory where AutoCAD can find it. You can follow these steps provided by Autodesk Support:
How to install a new or custom font for use in AutoCAD products - Autodesk Xarab.shx Autocad Font
The Xarab.shx font is a legacy AutoCAD "Shape" font specifically designed for rendering Arabic text. While modern versions of AutoCAD support TrueType fonts (TTF) for Arabic, Xarab.shx remains a staple for many engineers due to its lightweight nature and compatibility with older technical drawings . 🖋️ Functionality & Usage
Unlike standard fonts, Xarab.shx is a vector-based font that maps English keyboard characters to Arabic glyphs .
Vector Construction: Being an SHX file, characters are composed of simple pen strokes. This makes it extremely fast to redraw, which is helpful in very large or complex drawing files .
Encoding Method: It does not use standard Unicode. Instead, it relies on a "mapping" system where typing specific Latin characters (like 'a', 'b', 'c') produces the corresponding Arabic shapes .
Searchability Issues: Because it maps English characters to Arabic shapes, you cannot search for Arabic words in your drawing or export the text to other programs like Word or Excel without it appearing as a string of random English letters . 🛠️ Technical Limitations
Complexity of Arabic: Arabic characters change shape based on their position (initial, medial, or final). Standard SHX fonts often struggle with this "contextual shaping," sometimes requiring specialized LISP routines or manual selection of different characters to form a word correctly .
PDF Conversion: When you plot to a PDF, SHX text is often converted into geometric lines rather than searchable text. This increases PDF file size and makes the text non-selectable for readers .
Styling: SHX fonts do not support native bold or italic styles. Instead, you must adjust the "Lineweight" of the layer or change the "Oblique Angle" in the text style settings to simulate these effects . 📥 Installation & Setup
Xarab.shx is a legacy compiled shape font used in AutoCAD, specifically designed to support the Arabic script. In the CAD environment, SHX fonts are often preferred over TrueType (TTF) fonts for technical drawings because they are lightweight and treated as a series of simple pen strokes rather than complex outlines, making them faster to regenerate and print. Technical Background a legacy AutoCAD "Big Font" file used to display Arabic text
SHX Format: Unlike standard Windows fonts, .shx files are "shape files" compiled from ASCII .shp definition files. They are native to AutoCAD and are essential for maintaining text legibility across different CAD versions and plotting devices.
Arabic Support: The name "Xarab" likely stands for "Extended Arabic." Because standard early AutoCAD versions lacked native Bi-Directional (BiDi) support, specialized fonts like Xarab.shx were used alongside LISP routines or specific text editors to ensure Arabic characters connected correctly and flowed from right to left. Why Xarab.shx is Used
Performance: It uses minimal system resources, which is critical for large, complex engineering or architectural blueprints.
Compatibility: Many older engineering projects in the Middle East were drafted using Xarab.shx. If you open a drawing missing this file, the Arabic text will appear as "garbage" characters or empty boxes.
Styling: It typically follows a traditional Naskh style, which is the standard for clear, readable body text in Arabic documents. Installation & Troubleshooting
If you are seeing "missing font" errors or illegible text in an Arabic drawing, follow these steps to install the font according to Autodesk Support: Locate the File: Ensure you have the Xarab.shx file.
Access the Fonts Folder: Navigate to your AutoCAD installation directory, typically found at:C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20XX\Fonts Install: Copy and paste the .shx file into this folder.
Restart AutoCAD: The software must be restarted to recognize the new font definitions. Modern Alternatives
While SHX fonts are still supported, modern versions of AutoCAD (2018 and later) have significantly improved support for TrueType Fonts (TTF) like Traditional Arabic and native Unicode text handling. Many firms are transitioning to TTFs like Arial or Tahoma to ensure drawings look consistent when converted to PDFs for non-CAD users. shx text into modern Unicode MText? Part 2: Why You Cannot Find Xarab
How to install a new or custom font for use in AutoCAD products - Autodesk
The most frequent complaint among CAD managers is: “I received a drawing that uses ‘Xarab.shx,’ but I don’t have it, and I cannot find it for download.”
Here is the hard truth: Xarab.shx is not a default font included with standard AutoCAD installations. It is a third-party or custom font developed by specific engineering firms or localized distributors (particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region).
When AutoCAD cannot find Xarab.shx, it initiates the Font Substitution Mechanism:
Simplex.shx (default).Txt.shx.Because Simplex.shx does not contain Arabic character mappings (Unicode range 0600–06FF), all Arabic text becomes gibberish—usually a series of upside-down question marks (¿¿¿) or empty rectangles.
????? where paragraphs should be.| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---------|--------------|----------|
| Text displays as ? or empty boxes | Missing or corrupt font file | Reinstall Xarab.shx; verify it is in the correct Fonts folder |
| Letters appear reversed | Incorrect entry order (LTR vs RTL) | Enter text in visual RTL order or use \U+ codes for specific glyphs |
| No connectivity between letters | SHX font limitation | Use a TTF Arabic font instead of SHX |
| Wrong characters when typing | Keyboard layout not set to Arabic | Switch Windows keyboard to Arabic (or Arabic 101) |
| Text jumps or misaligns | Mixed font styles or width factor not 1.0 | Set width factor to exactly 1.0 and disable annotative scaling for testing |
In the world of Computer-Aided Design (CAD), fonts are rarely a topic of excitement until they go missing or display incorrectly. However, for professionals working in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the Xarab.shx font is a legendary utility. It represents a critical bridge between the Latin-based origins of AutoCAD and the complex calligraphic requirements of the Arabic language.
This piece explores the technical anatomy, historical significance, and practical application of the Xarab.shx font file.