Frequently asked questions

TrueType FAQ

Smooth fonts and the Plus! pack

Q Why isn't smooth fonts included with Windows 95? Why must I buy the Plus! pack to benefit from this feature?
A As smooth fonts only works in HiColor (16bit) and TrueColor (24bit) display modes it was included with Plus!, a range of enhancements designed to take advantage of more powerful machines. However, as more users upgrade their computers it seems likely that smooth fonts will be included as standard with a future release of Windows.

Q Do I need special fonts to benefit from the smoothing feature or will it work with my existing type library?
A Font smoothing should work with all current TrueType fonts.

Q Why, at certain type sizes, are the italic and bold weights of a typeface smoothed, and the roman not? This looks odd, especially when italic and roman or bold and roman words appear on the same line.
A There are some default settings at which smoothing is turned on. This differs between roman, italic and bold weights, mainly due to the fact that smoothing may be more or less necessary depending on the outlines.

Q I've installed Plus! and made sure font smoothing is switched on, but at certain sizes (typically between 7 and 13pt) my fonts aren't smoothed. Why is this?
A There are two things to keep in mind here. First, Windows has some default sizes at which smoothing is turned on or off, and this is dependent on the style of the typeface. Second, and perhaps more importantly, TrueType has a mechanism by which a font maker is able to control the sizes at which smoothing is turned on. As different typefaces may have differing needs at varying sizes, this becomes even one more way for the typographer to control his or her typeface's look at particular sizes. The font designer's settings naturally take precedence over the default setting from Windows.

Q On my recently upgraded Windows 95 machine there's a font called 'Lucida Sans Unicode' (which came with the Plus! pack), but I only seem to be able to access the normal Windows characters. How do I access the additional Unicode characters?
A Very simple, but first you need to have your system be set up for it. Multilingual Support needs to be turned on in the "Add/Remove Programs" in the Control Panel. Then open "Keyboard" also in the CP, and choose the "Language" tab. Click "Add" and choose as many languages as you need. Choose one of the "Language switch" settings (this will enable you to toggle back and forth between the languages you have chosen). Once you have done that, use the Language switch combination to toggle between the different 'keyboards' you have set up. There will be an indicator on the taskbar that will tell you which language you are currently in.

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