QCAD not automatically using Symbols from font

[DerekGove]

I'm not sure if this is user error, or a bug.

I'm using a custom font for a project. When I try to use a diameter prefix for dimension lines, it is not picking up the symbol that exists in the font.

Screenshot 2025-07-28 121023.png (6.36 KiB) Viewed 5441 times

Screenshot 2025-07-28 121455.png (6.12 KiB) Viewed 5441 times

I have the desired font set as the 'Label Font' in Dimension: Dimension Settings.

Once placed, I can select the symbol in the 'Label' section of the Property Editor, and replace it with the correct Unicode symbol (Unicode 2300) and it displays correctly. (The lower dimension example in this screenshot)

Screenshot 2025-07-28 121225.png (14.64 KiB) Viewed 5441 times

What am I missing, in order to force the dimensioning prefixes and symbols use the correct symbols from the chosen font?

Regards,
Derek

[CVH]

Hi,

The symbol is loaded into the prefixCombo of the Option Toolbar with unicode 'u00F8'. (See resource)

One can specify another prefix in the field besides the combo.
Copy the symbol from any source followed by the placeholder for the measured value: '<>'.
For example: ø<>.

It seems that this tool option is not persistently stored in between usage.

Regards,
CVH

[DerekGove]

Thank you.

Rather oddly, the Unicode character u00F8 is for an 'O' with a slash, which is a "LATIN SMALL LETTER O WITH STROKE".
I wonder if there's a reason this was used instead of the correct symbol? Perhaps more fonts include that character rather than the diameter symbol.

I have the same issue with the square, which I see from that link you provided is referencing u25FB, or the 'white medium square'. I'd looked up the 'correct' symbol and saw that it 'commonly' used U+25A1, or 'white square'. I guess there is plenty of room for debate/difference of opinion about which one is 'correct' with this one.

I think the easiest short-term solution is for me to ensure the symbols I need to use are duplicated in the font where QCAD is looking for them.

It would be good to have these customisable though.

Cheers,
Derek

[CVH]

Hi,

I think that the idea was/is to use medium sized prefix 'symbols'.

U+25FB (WHITE MEDIUM SQUARE) instead of U+25A1 (WHITE SQUARE)
Then U+00F8 (LATIN SMALL LETTER O WITH STROKE) is better suited than U+2300 (DIAMETER SIGN).
And U+0394 (DELTA SYMBOL) better suited than U+25B3 (WHITE UP-POINTING TRIANGLE).

Perhaps strange because U+25FB is not defined in the Unicode.cxf font file.

CXF is the native font file type of QCAD what are line-art fonts or 'single stroke' instead of filled outlines.
A counterpart to the AutoCAD SHX shape font files.

Then U+25A1 and U+25B3 are undefined in Standard.cxf what may also be the main reason.
This font was most probably adapted as the most common CAD-font before the introduction of TTF.

I have to add that the dimension font itself has a important role in this.
Both alternatives may display very differently compared with here on the forum.

Code: Select all

◻ ø Δ  vs  □ ⌀ △

Regards,
CVH