"Peter B. West" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> schrieb am 28.05.2004 17:16:08:Thanks Arnd. My argument is that the renderer must tell the layout engine about font metrics. I have always regarded PDF and PS (with obligatory fonts) as stable targets in this respect.
They are. PostScript files and PDF should not be created with specifics
of an output device in mind. The only thing that may happen is that
you directly add job-control features to PostScript file - for example
paper try switching. Please be aware that the difficulties I mention are
in the chain Acrobat->printer and PSFile->printer, NOT in the chain
formatter->renderer.
It's reassuring to find that there are so many ways in which variations
will creep in to the output of even such a heavily standardised
format as PDF. To get the output point-perfect then, the renderer
needs to know the peculiarities of the output device.
My take on this is - as I hopefully have been able to communicate - that the renderer should tell the formatter what it *can* do. This includes but is not restricted to fonts or font metrics. The *holder* (I deliberately do not say owner here) of this kind of information should be the formatter (or a separate centralized entity that the formatter can access). The formatter can also hold information of its own - like for example a repository of TTF or Type 1 fonts that all renderers wo are able to handle this type of font can subsequently make use of.
This type of system sounds more like a three tiered system: - data - logic (business logic) - output
or in this case: - formatter - holder of information - renderer
The nice thing about this, is that one could set up parameters (stored in config files), to help determine how the output would be rendered. The 'holder' could consult the config file to determine how to proceed.
Among the items in the config file: - minimum margins (t r b l) - acceptable fonts - font re-mapping? - definition of the 'any' font when font not found
There could also be separate sections based on the renderer, so Postscript output could add job-control/paper-tray selection information as well.
Like in a federalistic political system, this structure makes sure that everyone can give his input into the decision process. You just have to make sure that there is just *one* entity responsible for the final decision - otherwise, you're in Germany.. 8-)
OT:
I thought Italy was the place with the largest 'organization' of ideas :-)
Of course...
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Web Maestro Clay - <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --- My religion is simple. My religion is kindness. - His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet
