3. How to Fix Khmer Unicode Problem in Adobe Illustrator (Video in Khmer)

Hello my friends! Many design friends ask me: "Why when I type Khmer Unicode in Illustrator, the letter break, vowel jump to wrong place, and sub-consonant (ជើង) not display correct?"

Don't worry! This is very common problem because Illustrator default text engine set for English (Latin) language. We just need to change 1 setting to Middle Eastern & South Asian Composer or Indic Composer!

I. Why Khmer Text Get Broken in Illustrator?

Standard English font engine cannot understand how Khmer sub-consonants (ជើង) attach under main consonant. When you type Khmer word like "ភាសាខ្មែរ", default engine put letters side-by-side, so text look broken and unreadable.

II. Step-by-Step How to Fix (Only 2 Minutes!)

Method 1: Turn On Indic / Middle Eastern Composer in Preferences

Fix Khmer Unicode on Illustrator Khmer

Open Adobe Illustrator.
Go to top menu: Edit -> Preferences -> Type... (or press Ctrl + K on Windows / Cmd + K on Mac).
Look under Language Options section.
Check box: Show Indic Options (or choose Middle Eastern & South Asian).
Click OK button.
Restart Illustrator software 1 time!

Method 2: Change Paragraph Engine for Current Text

Click on your broken Khmer text using Type Tool (T).
Open Paragraph Panel (menu Window -> Type -> Paragraph or press Ctrl + Alt + T).
Click tiny menu icon (≡) on top-right corner of Paragraph panel.
Select Middle Eastern & South Asian Every-Line Composer (or Indic Single-Line Composer).
BOOM! Your Khmer text automatically combine and display 100% correct!

Video Lesson (Speaking Khmer)

Watch step-by-step video tutorial below to fix Khmer Unicode easily:

👉 Pro Tips for Khmer Unicode in Illustrator:

Use Quality Khmer Fonts: Always install official Google Khmer fonts (e.g. Battambang, Moul, Siemreap, Hanuman, Kanten) or Khmer OS fonts for clean result.
Create Outlines before Printing: When finish design banner or logo, select Khmer text and press Ctrl + Shift + O (Create Outlines). This convert font into vector shape so printing shop computer never get missing font error!
Copy-Paste Trick: If using older Illustrator version, type text in Notepad or Facebook first, then copy-paste into Illustrator text box!

📥 Free Adobe Illustrator Khmer Book PDF

Want to learn Illustrator faster with a complete 16-chapter Khmer guidebook? Download free PDF ebook here:

📘 Download Adobe Illustrator Book PDF in Khmer (Free Download)