Re: What's an em

• From: Erik van der Poel <erik@netscape.com>
• Date: Tue, 01 Feb 2000 15:08:45 -0800
• To: Todd Fahrner <fahrner@pobox.com>
• CC: www-style@w3.org, "'www-font@w3.org'" <www-font@w3.org>
• Message-ID: <3897677D.68144099@netscape.com>

Todd Fahrner wrote:
> 
> Funny you should phrase it that way, Erik. You're not familiar with
> Just and Erik (v. Blokland)'s Beowolf?
> <http://www.fontfont.de/packages/beowol475/about475.html>

No, I wasn't familiar with that, though I have seen those names before.

> Hinting is non-random variance. You'll get different metrics
> depending on the ppem size at which you measure:
> <http://style.metrius.com/junk/em.gif>

For bitmap fonts (e.g. Unix), just take the median. For outline fonts,
initially create a large rasterization, measure the appropriate glyphs,
and figure out what the appropriate scaler should be. Or look up the
metrics in the TrueType tables and figure out the factor, without
rasterizing for a large size.

(Note that I'm still just discussing. I haven't decided whether I agree
with Kent's proposal(s).)

Erik

Received on Tuesday, 1 February 2000 18:12:19 UTC