|
Free Grafix
Archives
Trackion Laptop Tracking
| |
Font Basics
by Stephen Bucaro
A font is actually a graphic shape, for example a triangle, which can be used
to create a typographic character. A group of fonts of similar design can be
used to create a typeface. A set of typefaces in different sizes and weights,
created from the same group of fonts, is a type family. These terms are often
misused, the term "font" being used to mean a typeface.
There are two basic kinds of fonts, "bitmapped" fonts and "scalable" fonts.
Bitmapped fonts are constructed as a pattern of dots. Bitmapped fonts can be
enlarged, but this produces jagged looking type.
Scalable fonts are stored as outlines of the characters along with rules (known
as "hints") used when displaying the font. This allows the fonts to be displayed
over a wider range of sizes and still look good. Scalable fonts can be used for
both the computer screen and the printer, making it more likely that the print
will closely match what's seen on the computer screen.
A font file will usually contain a set of fonts in several different point
sizes. A font's size is the height of the characters in "points". There are 72
points per inch. The font size refers to the height of characters when printed
on paper. Unlike paper, computer screens come in different sizes and can be set
to different screen resolutions. Also many applications allow the user to
magnify the document; therefore, the size of type on the screen will only rarely
be the same as the point size.
Adobe invented the first scalable font technology called "PostScript", but
PostScript basically became obsolete when Microsoft provided its "TrueType"
scalable fonts for no extra charge with the Windows operating system. One
important feature of TrueType fonts is the ability to embed the font into the
document itself.
The fonts used in a document are embedded in an encrypted form that prevents the
recipient of a document from removing the font and using it without paying for
it. The font developer can configure the font to be read-only, where the
receiver of the document with the font may view and print it but not edit it, or
read-write, where the receiver may edit, as well as view and print the document.
Bitmapped fonts are stored in files with the extension .fon. TrueType fonts are
stored as font descriptions in files with the extension .ttf. To install a font,
simply copy the font file to the c:Windows
onts or :WINNT
onts folder. You could store a font file in a different folder and include a
shortcut to the font file in the fonts folder.
To view a font, simply navigate to the fonts folder and double-click on a font
file. You can also view fonts by selecting Start | Settings | Control Panel and
opening the Fonts utility. The Fonts utility provides many extra features, such
as the ability to select similar fonts.
When you select the "font" menu item from within an application, the Font dialog
box will display a list of the the fonts stored in the fonts folder. The Font
dialog box in some applications will actually display the typefaces for you to
choose from.
When you install some applications, like graphics programs, hundreds of fonts
may be installed along with them. To keep the number of fonts manageable, you
may want to delete fonts you don't use. To delete a font, simply delete the font
file, but remember, if you used that font in a document, when you open or print
that document, Windows will be required to select the closest matching font to
the deleted font, and you may get unexpected results.
System fonts are used by the Windows operating system for text like window
titles and menu items. To determine which fonts are being used by the system,
select Start | Settings | Control panel and open the Display utility. In the
Display Properties dialog box, select the Appearance tab. In the Item: drop-down
list, select items that use text, like "Title Bar", "Menu", "Message Box", and
so on. The name of the font used for each item will appear in the Font: text
box. Don't delete a font being used by the system.
About the Author
To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a
Web site and make money on the Web visit bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to
Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter visit
http://bucarotechelp.com/search/000800.asp
----------------------------------------------------------
Permission is granted for the below article to forward, reprint, distribute, use
for ezine, newsletter, website, offer as free bonus or part of a product for
sale as long as no changes are made and the byline, copyright, and the resource
box below is included.
----------------------------------------------------------
Resource Box: Copyright(C) Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your
computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on the
Web visit bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter visit
http://bucarotechelp.com/search/000800.asp
----------------------------------------------------------
| |
Back
Home
Up
Next
|
