From: Karl Pentzlin (karl-pentzlin@acssoft.de)
Date: Sun Nov 23 2008 - 11:43:56 CST
Am Sonntag, 23. November 2008 um 17:24 schrieb Doug Ewell:
DE> ... The important point is that the algorithm would not have to be
DE> custom-fitted for each combination of base letter + combining mark(s).
DE> Some of the font experts are saying or implying that the custom-fitting
DE> is necessary for virtually all such combinations.
This depends on the level of typographical quality which the user
expects. E.g., if you see an A with a ring above its peak with a
certain distance, you will undoubtedly recognize an Å, while judging
the typographical quality as poor. If you see the ring with the same
distance over an U+0245 Ʌ or an U+A72E Ꜯ, you also will recognize the
intended combined letter, but possibly be less concerned about the
typographical quality. Maybe you would even be irritated if such
unusual combinations try to look graphically too much sophisticated.
In fact, a "real working" algorithm has to regard the limited set of
"established" combinations for which special design is appropriate.
Thus, custom-fitting is not "necessary" for virtually all
combinations. It is a fine tuning for typographical quality, the
necessity of which depends how much typographical quality the user
needs in comparison to the quality which is accomplished by the
algorithm, which in turn depends of the complexity of that algorithm
itself.
Maybe, a future font formats allows "supplemental glyph sets" for
established fonts like Times New Roman. Then, font creators can
provide such elaborated sets for user of special languages or
applications (like linguistic areas) to gain the maximum typographical
quality for their specific subject.
- Karl Pentzlin
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