Display article   Subject:  Windows 3.1 TrueType Fonts
   04/30/97   19:38:39


WINDOWS 3.1 TRUETYPE FONTS

What is TrueType?

Microsoft Windows 3.1 includes a new and fully integrated outline
font technology called TrueType.  TrueType provides you with
instant access to fonts in any point size on all output devices
(except plotters) supported by Windows.

Windows 3.1 ships with a standard set of 14 TrueType fonts.
Microsoft decided to incorporate TrueType into Windows because
it offers the user numerous benefits which were not available
in one font technology prior to Windows 3.1.  Additional TrueType
fonts are available from many sources.  Radio Shack carries
"AllFonts For Home."

Here are some of the features of TrueType:


Easy to Use

Flexibility -- TrueType provides instant access to fonts at any
point size without having to download and store each font as it
is needed.  It also eliminates "jaggies" in the file, although
some may still occur because of printer resolution limitations.

Instant access -- Since TrueType is integrated into the operating
system, it is available to Windows-based applications as soon as
Windows is installed.

Compatibility -- TrueType does not make third-party type managers
(including Adobe Type Manager) and font sets obsolete because it
works alongside them.  However, a font designed for a specific
type manager needs that manager; i.e., a system running both
TrueType and Adobe fonts requires both type managers.

Portability -- WYSIWYG across hardware platforms because TrueType
is supported on the Apple Macintosh as well as within Windows.
So, if you have a way to transfer your file to a Macintosh
application, the fonts will look the same as they do in Windows
on your PC.


Fast

High Performance -- TrueType fonts are scalable on demand, which
means they do not need to be created and stored for each point
size.

Calculates during font production -- Prior to TrueType, the
system had to make calculations at print time.  With TrueType,
the bulk of font calculations take place during production rather
than at run time.  Since TrueType is downloaded to the printer in
its final form, the system doesn't spend valuable time
calculating "hints" and "metrics."

Font Embedding -- TrueType and Windows 3.1 support font embedding
technology.  This allows Windows-based applications written for
Windows 3.1 to store, or embed, the TrueType fonts used in a
document in the document itself, so it can be displayed on or
printed from another machine that may not have these fonts
installed.


High Quality

WYSIWYG -- Output on any printer, from dot matrix to PostScript,
matches the displayed text without the use of additional font
cartridges or type managers because the screen fonts and printer
fonts are the same.

Availability -- Since TrueType is an open technology, many tools
exist for converting existing outline fonts to TrueType.  There
is also a broad range of additional TrueType fonts available from
other vendors.

Technology Improvements -- Since TrueType is fully integrated
with Windows, the font technology will continue to evolve as
Windows evolves as an operating system.  TrueType will work with
all future versions of Windows.
