Fixed Font Spacing for Exact Spacing

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1

Hi all!

GREAT Software, but I have a simply task and I’m confused. I need to create a fixed font, and have two characters that i will use. a Space and a Line!

I want to create the 0 character to be a blank space that is 4.23mm wide. I want to create the 1 character, to be a line that is 2points wide, 1.5cm tall, and is centered in a box that is 4.23mm wide.

This way I could print the string 11, and would get two lines, each 1.5cm tall, each line thickness would be 2points, and the lines would be 4.23mm apart on center.

If I sent the string 101, the two lines would be all the same except they would be 8.46mm apart… etc. etc.

I guess I can’t figure out how to determine a point size to get this to work, and how use em units that would allow this to happen at a specific point size. I’m also getting confused on the leading/post spacing.

Any help would greatly be appreciated. Once completed in Demo mode, I will buy the professional mode so I can use this for a project at work.

Can anyone help me get going on this? Please drop me an email to [email protected], or reply to this. I will see if I can get an auto-notifyer to let me know of any replies.

Thanks in advance for any help since I’m a newbie to font Design. Bill

2

The calculations are a bit complicated, but can be done. Trial and error may be easier.

To get the line 1.5 cms tall = 42.5 points (approx), you’re going to need to use your font at that size at least — 48 points would be more convenient in most applications.

If the advance width needs to be 4.23 mm @ 48 point then that is about 12 points, or ¼ of an em. So to start with try 512 funits for the advance width and 85 funits for the line weight.

Install the font, and print it out at 480 points, measure it and see if it is right. Adjust accordingly, uninstall and try again.

3

Thanks for the Reply! This gets me quite a bit closer.

Do you think this has a good chance at working, or do you think Its an imperfect approach. Its obvious that you have a quite a bit of experience with the font application.

If Could get this approach to using a Font mapped to a database field, and get it working accurately, It would be an immense help as a very simple solution for what I’m trying to accomplish.

Your advise would be appreciated.

Regards… Bill