AutoCAD Troubleshooting: Obsolete AutoCAD Commands and System Variables Resource
A System Variable Name Change, led to the Autodesk Knowledge Network Resource for Obsolete AutoCAD Commands and System Variables...
Issue/Problem:
A recent troubleshooting/support call came up regarding an issue where a drawing, printed (plotted) to PDF had a bunch of drawing object 'comments' included within the PDF file. These comments were related to SHX fonts, which, through our AutoCAD user configuration system we were already adjusting the EPDFSHX system variable (via our 1-2-3 button setup, for more information refer to my Autodesk University 2017 and 2018 classes titled "CAD Manager's Guide: Using Tool Palettes to Manage Standards and Configuration").
Solution:
While diagnosing this issue over the weekend, I found out that the AutoCAD system variable EPDFSHX was 'renamed' to PDFSHX in an AutoCAD 2016 Service Pack 1 update. Because our company standard does not leverage SHX fonts, and this particular issue was related to a client standard, the renamed system variable has gone unnoticed for a couple years within our configuration script/coding.
A simple rename of the code we use, to disable SHX comments was completed and deployed to staff.
Original Button 1 code (excerpt of entire code string)
;; Set EPDFSHX to 0
(command "epdfshx" 0)
Adjusted Button 1 code (excerpt of entire code string)
;; Set PDFSHX to 0
(command "pdfshx" 0)
What I stumbled upon while searching the Autodesk Knowledge Network for potential solutions (to the above) was a listing of all Obsolete AutoCAD Commands and System Variables, including this renamed from EPDFSHX to PDFSHX - within the 2017 section of the reference document.
I felt this was worthwhile to post to the blog as a troubleshooting/support reference link as it provides a listing of all AutoCAD command and system variable changes from AutoCAD 2013 up to 2020.
For more information, refer to the Autodesk Knowledge Network - Obsolete AutoCAD Commands and System Variables Reference - CLICK HERE.