FreeType extension!

[LIJI]

I've started work on a new extension implementing FreeType 2.4.
The new object:

• Will allow the use of fonts without having to install them, finally solving the font availability problem.
• Will ensure fonts are rendered the same regardless of OS version and setting. (For example if Anti-aliasing is on, and if Cleartype is).
• High quality, 256-level grey anti-aliased text.
• Will anti-alias fonts even under small sizes (Windows does that only with Cleartype on)
• Sub-pixel positioning. (1/64th of a pixel)
• Allows font scaling, rotation and other transformations.
• International text and complex script systems such as Arabic and Chinese. (Hopefully)
• Will support the following typography features:
  
  • Kerning (See Wikipedia)
  • Tracking (Tighter or looser letter spacing)
  • Possibly OpenType features such as different types of ligatures, stylistic alternates, (true) small caps, old style numerals and so on.

It's perfect for games and useful for advanced graphics software.
Any more suggestions are welcome.

[Nico]

Excellent ideas ! I agree
> Effects:it's possible to add some effect perhaps? as drop shadow? bevel? glow? as in Photoshop
> HWA support

[Looki]

> Effects:it's possible to add some effect perhaps? as drop shadow? bevel? glow? as in Photoshop

Probably not, it's not part of the library.

Looking forward to this extension

[Nico]

arf we'll play with Pixel Shaders also

> Embed "Font File"?

[Stephen]

Very nice idea. This is a long overdue problem.

[LIJI]

arf we'll play with Pixel Shaders also

> Embed "Font File"?

I've been away for a while, can we develop extensions with HWA support already? Where are the docs?
Embed font file is possible with MMF's internal binary files.

[LIJI]

Update:
Apparently it won't be just an implemention of FreeType in MMF2. Freetype can only render glyphs. I doesn't handle anything but that. I'm currently writing a layout engine for use with FreeType, which will include support for as many OpenType features I get working. Kerning is already working with FreeType. I'm currently studying the GSUB table format used to store OT features.

[Nico]

> it's possible to rotating/translating text in Z-axis?

[Looki]

"Allows font scaling, rotation and other transformations."

Yes.

[LIJI]

> it's possible to rotating/translating text in Z-axis?

Matrix transforms allow even rotating around the other axises