[comp.fonts] Compugraphic Outline Font Format

chesnutt@adobe.com (Stan Chesnutt) (01/19/91)

In article <10097@adobe.UUCP> lemon@adobe.COM (David Lemon) writes:
>Robb Wolf asks for info on the format for Compugraphic outline fonts. Agfa
>Compugraphic's font format (Intellifont) is proprietary. Use a published
>font format instead...
>
>David Lemon
>type nerd
>

Essentially correct, but incomplete.  Compugraphic has published the
structure of their outline data, so that it is possible to create
fonts that will generate characters on 300-dpi printers such as the
LaserJet Series III printers from Hewlett-Packard which understand PCL5.

What Compugraphic has NOT released is the details of their hinting
structure.  Thus, it is NOT possible to create fonts that will generate
characters that LOOK GOOD on 300 dpi printers.  A crucial limitation, if
you want type that looks good (why did you get a laser in the first place?)

Since there are other (arguably better) font formats with published data
and hint formats, perhaps Compugraphic will rise to the challenge and
release their hinting structure?

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Stan Chesnutt,  Adobe Systems  chesnutt@adobe.com {sun|decwrl}!adobe!chesnutt
"Hearts full of youth, hearts full of truth. Six parts gin to one part vermouth"