Fix LibreCAD Tamil Font Junk Characters on Windows 11

To fix junk characters when typing Tamil fonts in LibreCAD on Windows 11 (version 2.2.1.2), you need to install a Unicode-compatible Tamil TTF font, convert it to LibreCAD’s LFF format using the official ttf2lff tool, and load it properly. This bypasses LibreCAD’s limited native support for complex scripts like Tamil, which often causes garbled output with standard fonts. Follow these steps, and your Tamil text should display cleanly in drawings.

Contents

• Why Tamil Fonts Fail in LibreCAD
• Step 1: Install Tamil Fonts on Windows 11
• Step 2: Convert TTF to LFF Format
• Step 3: Add the LFF Font to LibreCAD
• Step 4: Set Up Tamil Typing Input
• Step 5: Test and Type Tamil Characters
• Troubleshooting Common Issues
• Sources
• Conclusion

Why Tamil Fonts Fail in LibreCAD

Ever typed Tamil text in LibreCAD only to see a mess of boxes or random symbols? You’re not alone. LibreCAD, especially version 2.2.1.2 on Windows 11, relies on custom LFF fonts rather than standard system TTF or OTF files. Default fonts like ISO8859-1 lack glyphs for Tamil’s complex Unicode characters—think conjuncts and diacritics.

Community reports confirm this: even installed Tamil fonts show junk because LibreCAD doesn’t pull directly from Windows fonts folder. The fix? Convert your TTF to LFF. As noted in LibreCAD’s font docs, their ttf2lff utility handles this precisely.

Step 1: Install Tamil Fonts on Windows 11

Start with a solid Unicode Tamil font. Windows 11 supports them natively, but LibreCAD needs conversion later.

1. Download a free Unicode Tamil font like Valluvar or Bamini from a reliable source—avoid proprietary ones unless licensed for conversion. IndiaTyping’s Tamil font page has options with ZIP downloads.

2. Extract the ZIP. You’ll get .ttf or .otf files.

3. Right-click the font file > Install. Or for all users: Settings > Personalization > Fonts > drag-and-drop.

Restart LibreCAD after. Does it show Tamil characters in Notepad? Good—your system recognizes it. But in LibreCAD? Still junk. That’s next.

Step 2: Convert TTF to LFF Format

LibreCAD’s secret sauce is LFF files. TTF won’t cut it.

LibreCAD bundles ttf2lff, an online converter, or a local tool. Prefer local for control.

1. Find ttf2lff.exe in your LibreCAD install—usually C:\Program Files\LibreCAD\ttf2lff\ttf2lff.exe. Check official GitHub manpage for details.

2. Open Command Prompt as admin. Run:

"C:\Program Files\LibreCAD\ttf2lff\ttf2lff.exe" "C:\Windows\Fonts\YourTamilFont.ttf" "MyTamilFont.lff"

Swap paths as needed. Hit Enter. Boom—LFF file ready.

Pro tip: Online version at LibreCAD’s converter works too, but upload only free fonts. One forum user fixed display by ensuring the .lff extension—not .llf. Simple, right?

Step 3: Add the LFF Font to LibreCAD

Fonts live in LibreCAD’s resources folder.

1. Copy MyTamilFont.lff to %APPDATA%\LibreCAD\fonts\ or C:\Program Files\LibreCAD\fonts\. Create “fonts” if missing.

2. Launch LibreCAD 2.2.1.2. Draw a line or circle.

3. Text tool (A icon) > Properties panel > Font dropdown. Your Tamil font appears? Select it. Height: 2.5mm or whatever fits.

4. Click to place text. Still junk? Encoding issue ahead.

This matches LibreCAD troubleshooting threads—file placement is key.

Step 4: Set Up Tamil Typing Input

Typing Unicode Tamil needs a keyboard switcher. Windows defaults won’t hack it.

1. Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region > Add language > Tamil.

2. Install input method: Preferred is Google Input Tools or Inscript Tamil Keyboard.

3. Or use online transliterator: Type Romanized Tamil (e.g., “vanakkam”) at IndiaTyping, copy Unicode output.

4. In LibreCAD: Win+Space to switch keyboards. Type directly—ensure UTF-8 everywhere.

Why bother? LibreCAD text fields expect Unicode, but mismatched input garbles it. Tested on Windows 11: Smooth sailing post-setup.

Step 5: Test and Type Tamil Characters

Quick sanity check.

1. New drawing. Text tool > Select your LFF font > Paste or type “வணக்கம்” (vanakkam).

2. Zoom in. Clean glyphs? Victory. Rotate or scale—still good?

3. Save as DXF/DWG. Reload: No corruption?

If accents or conjuncts (e.g., ன்) break, reconvert font—some TTFs miss full Unicode sets, per SourceForge bug reports.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Junk persists? Here’s the hit list.

• Wrong extension: .llf? Rename to .lff.
• Font license: Proprietary TTFs glitch post-conversion.
• No Unicode input: Install typing tool—detailed Windows 11 steps here.
• Version glitch: Update to latest 2.2.x dev if 2.2.1.2 stubborn.
• Path errors: Absolute paths in CMD, quotes around spaces.

Restart app after changes. Forum fixes like this one nailed it for others. Still stuck? Check console output.

Sources

1. LibreCAD Font Converter
2. Tamil Fonts for Windows
3. LibreCAD Forum: Font Troubles
4. LibreCAD Official Font Docs
5. LibreCAD ttf2lff Manpage
6. LibreCAD Bug: Text Characters

Conclusion

Fixing junk characters for Tamil fonts in LibreCAD on Windows 11 boils down to TTF install, LFF conversion via ttf2lff, proper placement, and Unicode input. Nail these, and you’ll draft Tamil labels effortlessly—no more frustration. Experiment with fonts like Valluvar for best glyph coverage, and your 2.2.1.2 setup will handle it like a champ. Questions? Dive into the sources.