Autodesk has added a new system variable in the 2016 products that provides searchable text in a PDF for shx fonts in a PDF viewer.  Each block of the text will be put into the comments list, after after plotting, exporting or publishing the PDF.  It does not affect True Type fonts.

The system variable is EPDFSHX, and was added in the latest version of AutoCAD 2016 Service Pack 1.  The default value is 1. 

If you would like to turn this feature off, please type EPDFSHX in the command line, and change the value to 0.

Please click the link below to access the latest Service Pack.  You may need to reinstall the Service Pack, if it is already installed, to access the new system variable.

AutoCAD 2016 Service Pack 1

Important: Changes to Service Pack Releases from Autodesk

  • AutoCAD service packs are now separate and independent of the specific service packs for AutoCAD-based vertical products.
  • In the past, AutoCAD-specific fixes were included in the verticals service packs and you only needed to install the appropriate verticals service pack.
  • From now on, you will need to install the AutoCAD service pack in addition to any applicable service pack for your vertical products.