tgl@zog.cs.cmu.edu.UUCP (01/30/87)
Lately I've been wondering whether PostScript font definitions could be automatically (more or less) converted into Metafont source code. It seems that there is a lot of activity directed towards production of nice laser printer fonts in PostScript form, but hardly anybody is working with Metafont. A tool such as this would let those of us with non-PostScript printers buy PostScript fonts and convert them into bitmap form for use with our printers. (A side benefit would be that it would automate the production of .TFM files for PostScript fonts, a boon to TeX users even if they have a PS printer.) I don't know much about PostScript, but I think that PS fonts are described using spline curves, a notion which Metafont understands; so it seems possible, at least in theory. Before I invest a lot of time in the project, I would like to hear any informed comments about its feasibility. Anyone out there have an opinion? (Even better, anyone already tried it?) I'd also like to hear opinions regarding whether this would be a legal thing to do with a copyrighted font. My thought is that I'm merely converting the font into a form in which my printer can use it, a process which would also happen within a PS printer if I had one. However this could also be seen as making a derivative work. Assuming that I don't sell (or give away) the bit-map-ified font description, am I on sound legal ground? tom lane ----- ARPA: tgl@ZOG.CS.CMU.EDU UUCP: ...!seismo!zog.cs.cmu.edu!tgl BITNET: tgl%zog.cs.cmu.edu@cmuccvma