You can find the xarb.shx or xarabshx files in AutoCAD forums or through architectural resource sites. The file is often labeled ARABIC FONTS.rar in forum discussions. Step 2: Locate the AutoCAD Fonts Folder Close all instances of AutoCAD.
Fixes the dreaded issue where AutoCAD replaces unrecognized Arabic text blocks with rows of question marks.
Do not rename a Latin font (e.g., txt.shx ) to xarabshx.shx . This will cause AutoCAD to crash or display garbage characters because the glyph indices will not match.
Copy the xarab.shx file and paste it into the folder mentioned above.
AutoCAD does not include the Xarabshx font in its default installation package. When a drawing is created using this custom font, the text style relies entirely on the local font library of the creator's computer.
Open your drawing. The font should now be available in the text style manager ( STYLE command). Alternative: Using the SHX Font Path (2026/Newer Methods)
For pure engineering drafting (dimensions, notes, tags), stick with XarabSHX . For long paragraphs or word reports embedded in CAD, use TTF.
If a drawing triggers a window stating "One or more SHX files are missing" , the application will temporarily swap the text style with a fallback font like simplex.shx , rendering Arabic text unintelligible. Follow these exact steps to load the file into the CAD root directory: 1. Locate Your AutoCAD Font Folder Xarab.shx Autocad Font - Google Groups
Many legacy drawings and industry-standard templates in the Middle East rely on XARABSHX to maintain consistent formatting across different workstations.
Xarabshx (and its variants) is an file specifically designed for AutoCAD to render Arabic characters.
To ensure we get your drawings looking exactly right, let me know: What are you currently running?
:
: The font uses specific ASCII-to-Arabic mapping. Because SHX fonts are limited to 255 characters (unless used as a Bigfont), xarab.shx typically maps Arabic glyphs to standard keyboard inputs. Modification Support : The font can be decompiled into an using tools like DUMPSHX.EXE
: Within AutoCAD, users must define a new text style using the STYLE command and select the Xarab font from the dropdown list.