What is the best font to use for displaying fractions?

[potter87]

We currently use the RomanS font for displaying fractional dimensions in our production drawings. We're now having problems with the text not showing up, or barely visible, when we print to a Xerox 8830 printer. Our IT department has requested us to replace the RomanS font with an Arial type font, which prints nice and dark.

Here's the problem,
When we use other fonts with fractional dimensions the numbers can be confused to what's actually being displayed. An example would be 11/16 can be confused with 1 1/16. We had this happen to us.

What does everyone use for their chosen font for fractions?

Thanks, Jim

 

[Beggar]

We use Century Gothic (the default, I believe) but have had precisely the same problem with 1 3/16 being confused for 13/16 by the shop.

I've submitted an enhancement request but still nothing...

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Bring back the HP-15

http://www.hp15c.org

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[rockguy]

SW 2005 does allow you to stack fractions in text but I'm not sure about Dimensions. I'll check tonight and see if this is possible.

 

[aamoroso]

We use Century Gothic - 10 pt font and have no problem. Perhaps this is a printer issue?
Does it appear ok in the print preview?
Are you printing directly from Solidworks?
Are you printing a file that is and always has been a SLDDRW (not something that was a DXF and now is a SLDDRW)?
Have you tried printing the same file directly through the printer (ie drag and drop)?
Have you tried printing the same file through SW Explorer?
Those are some things to consider that may have impact on a printed drawing. I am in no way suggesting you did anything wrong or that these may be the answer, but they are options to explore. It would be interesting to know the answer to these questions.

 

[TheTick]

We have a lot of gray heads here who haven't been to an optometrist in decade(s). There were many complaints about readability of prints.

I circulated a survey showing the same text in different sizes and fonts. The hands-down winner was Century Gothic.

 

[rockguy]

No luck with the dimensions displaying stacked fractions in SW 2005

 

[ctopher]

We don't use fractions here because different machinists read them as different tolerances. They round up or down. So we use decimals only.

 

[Beggar]

We use decimals for machined parts but we use fractions for welded assemblies.

--------------------
Bring back the HP-15

http://www.hp15c.org

--------------------

 

[MadMango]

I finally got SW05 installed at work for testing. So far, so good.

We usually use Arial Narrow, 11pt for all dimensions and notes. The letters appeared to be squished together, so I searched these forums. It seems everyone agrees that Century Gothic, 10pt is what should be used. I switched to this font, and my letters are still squished. Any suggestions?

[blue]"But what... is it good for?"[/blue]
Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip.
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[MadMango]

Upgraded the drivers for my Quadro2 Pro to 6.14.10.5303, no change.

[blue]"But what... is it good for?"[/blue]
Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip.
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[rockguy]

Mad MAndago,

This is a bug in SW 2005. I have the same problem and have been working with SW on the issue. It has been given an SPR number and should be fixed in SP1 or SP2.

 

[MadMango]

Thanks for the info [blue]rockguy[/blue]. What's been your work around?

[blue]"But what... is it good for?"[/blue]
Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip.
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[rockguy]

Unfortunately there isn't one. This one issue has kept me from using 2005 for production work. I hope the SP's are quick to be released.

 

[rockguy]

MadMango,

Thought I woul dlet you know that help for this issue is just around the corner.

 

[SBaugh]

Try getting new drivers for your printer. The problem could be the print drivers. Especially if the print preview shows up correctly.

Also you can change the color of your dimensions in System\Options\Colors

Dimensions (imported)
Dimensions (non-imported)

You pick the color - Change them both to black

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376