🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <BARNETT.90Aug2171900@grymoire.crd.ge.com> 
barnett@grymoire.crd.ge.com (Bruce Barnett) writes:
> A good example of this is the new HP LaserJet III, which is 300 DPI,
> but uses variable size dots to get effectively 600 DPI.
> 
> I doubt TrueType will look as nice as PostScript fonts on this device.

This is indeed probably a good example of where "low-level" hints don't 
work too well.

> Also - Font designers say it takes a year to design a decent font.
> I don't know how long it would take to convert it into the proper data
> for PostScript or TrueType, but I doubt it's trivial.

It probably isn't, but on the other hand, the font-studly developers will 
probably have some very sophisticated tools for 
constructing/modifying/converting etc. fonts between the formats.  (Let's 
put it this way: if they don't, we're in a world of hurt.)

> How can you design low level hints in the fonts, when the output
> can be on 72, 200, 300, 600, 1200, or 2400 DPI machines? Do you only
> load the "hints" for the output devices you will drive? 

Don't let the term "low-level" fool you.  TrueType fonts are still 
mathematical descriptions of curves, and this applies to the hints as 
well.  They're still resolution independent.

> Given a screen that has QuickDraw/TrueType and a PostScript printer
> and typesetter, what will people do to get good output?

If they use PostScript fonts, the PostScript engine will render them; if 
they use TrueType fonts, the new driver will download the TrueType 
rendering code and that will be used.  Either way, it still works.

> Will they have to buy a QuickType (that's QuickDraw and TrueType)
> Laser Printer and Typesetter? (Bad answer - why buy more equipment?)

This won't be necessary.

> Will QuickType be converted into PostScript?
>         (Another Bad Answer - it won't be WYSIWYG)

Right again, which is one reason it's not being done.

> Will TrueType fonts be downloaded into the typesetter?
>         (Another Bad Answer - I doubt TrueType will look as good
>          as PostScript at 1270 or 2400 dpi).

Well, that remains to be seen, doesn't it? :-)

__________________________________________________________________________
                                Paul Snively
                      Macintosh Developer Technical Support
                             Apple Computer, Inc.

chewy@apple.com

Just because I work for Apple Computer, Inc. doesn't mean that I believe 
what they believe, or vice-versa.
__________________________________________________________________________