on 3/2/00 6:01 AM, M. Uli Kusterer at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>> Not so bad when the testing can be done automaticly. Consider the
>> following font description:
>>
>> Line height (maximal) is 16pts == 16/72in. == 2/9in.
>> Line height (upercase maximal) is 12pts == 12/72in. == 1/6in.
>> Width of string is 232pt == 3.5in
>> Font name is MadeUpFont => Class is Serif
>>
>> An automated search can be performed with minimal built-in knowledge
>> (font class) to find an appropriate font. It may not be the "correct"
>> font, but it'll work. A user preference would determine if screen
>> resolution is taken into account -- if not, assume 72ppi, so 1pt == 1
>> pixel.
>
> Anthony,
>
> you're talking about font substitution, right? This would basically work,
> but we'd also need to remember average character width, else we might get
> Garamond Narrow substituted with New York and then all our button titles
> would be cut off to the left and right.
Much as I hate to admit it, Adobe does magic with these issues of font
substitution. Just look at an Acrobat file on any computer. Too bad the
company has a monopoly on so many graphic resources. Here's their technical
web site with in-depth info on fonts & related stuff:
[quote]
"Technical Notes for Developers
The following is a list of technical notes, specifications, and supplements
from Adobe� Developer Relations. They include the current specifications for
file formats and interfaces such as TIFF, OPI, PPD, AFM, PDF, communications
protocols, the Adobe PostScript� language, and the Display PostScript
System."
http://partners.adobe.com/asn/developer/technotes.html
Another resource-
Apple once explored Display Postscript as a means of coordinating what you
see on screen and what you get in print. Postscript is an amazing language,
and there are clones that might be considered. Don Lancaster is one of the
world's authorities on Postscript (and many other topics). Visit his site
for entertainment and enlightenment:
- Postscript info: http://www.tinaja.com/post01.html
- Don's library: http://www.tinaja.com/libry01.html
- home page: http://www.tinaja.com
A complete understanding of ATM technology & Postscript would solve all our
font problems and more. But at considerable cost in money, time and energy.
Still, these are good sites to visit. Maybe one of Don's apprentices would
volunteer to join us. Maybe Adobe would allow us the free use of some of
their technology. Maybe monkeys will fall out of trees...
--
Omphaloskepsis always!
Tom Swell
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