Files with shx extension can be found as compiled shape files (shp) from Autodesk AutoCAD, a 2D and 3D CAD design software. Not related to shapefiles used by ESRI software.

There are 2 other file types using
the SHX file extension!

empty icon.shx - ArcView Shapefile shape index format

empty icon.shx - Motorola RAZR flash data

Detailed description

Software that open shx file

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SHX file extension - AutoCAD shape compiled data

What is shx file? How to open shx files?

File type specification:

3d graphics, CAD-CAM-CAE file type icon 3d graphics, CAD-CAM-CAE file type

shx file icon: shx filetype icon

File extension shx is associated with AutoCAD, a CAD development platform, developed and sold by Autodesk, Inc.

A .shx file contains compiled shape data (building blocks, fonts) in form of  the machine language compiled version of an shp file.

It loads much faster than an ASCII file, and all shape files are compiled for use with AutoCAD.

All the vector fonts used by AutoCAD (romans, txt, and so on) in CAD projects are compiled shape files with names like romans.shx.

AutoCAD supports Type 1 PostScript fonts (pfb) and TrueType fonts (ttf) and it is able to transform them to compiled shapes.

OpenType fonts (otf and sometimes stored as ttf) are not supported.

Updated: November 16, 2023

The default software associated to open shx file:

AutoCAD icon

Autodesk, Inc. logoAutoCAD  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
Autodesk, Inc.

A CAD designing software with the powerful, flexible features. It is a CAD development platform that provides tools to build custom AutoCAD-based software products for specific markets. The default file formats using by AutoCAD are: DWG and DXF.

AutoCAD for Mac icon

Autodesk, Inc. logoAutoCAD for Mac  Apple macOS / Mac OS X software

Company or developer:
Autodesk, Inc.

AutoCAD for Mac software—it’s AutoCAD, for the Mac, bringing robust 3D free-form design tools and powerful drafting capabilities to your platform of choice. It takes full advantage of the macOS platform, with an intuitive, graphical user interface that makes it easy to bring your ideas to life.

Help how to open:

Should be accessible by AutoCAD and perhaps some other programs by Autodesk.

How to convert:

It is unlikely you could somehow convert this complied version of shape file. You can probably only convert the uncompiled *.shp files.

File identification strings:

HEX code: 41 75 74 6F 43 41 44 2D 38 36 20 73 68 61 70 65 73
ASCII code: AutoCAD-86 shapes 1.

List of software applications associated to the .shx file extension

Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open shx file, edit shx file, convert shx file, view shx file, play shx file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).

Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting shx files.

shx file viewer - programs that view shx file - AutoCAD shape compiled data

Programs supporting the exension shx on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for view shx file action.

Microsoft Windows:

Main software associated with shx file by default:
AutoCAD small icon AutoCAD
Other suggested software:
DWG TrueView small icon DWG TrueView

Apple macOS / Mac OS X:

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