World of Video/World of Video.iso/gfxprograms/misc/typesmithdemo/readme.txt

Text File | 1995-02-13 | 7.7 KB | 199 lines

TYPESMITH 1.01 DEMONSTRATION VERSION

Take a sneak peek at Soft-Logik's new font editor!

All features are enabled except Save, Save As and Export. This allows you
to open and edit fonts, but does not allow you to save fonts. See the end
of this file for ordering and pricing information for the full version of
TypeSmith, and for minimum system requirements.

Note that Soft-Logik Outline fonts (DMF/FM) may be opened, but PostScript
Type 1 and Compugraphic Intellifonts (PFB/AFM and .type/.lib) must be
imported. DMF/FM is TypeSmith's primary format. Once opened in the full
version of TypeSmith, fonts can be saved or exported in any of the formats.

To try this demo, load it, then open a font or create a new font.

- Note that Macintosh format PostScript Type 1 fonts cannot be used on
Amiga computers. They can be converted to PC format Type 1 fonts with a
free utility available on GEnie, CompuServe and the Soft-Logik BBS.

- Note that some PostScript Type 1 fonts have em-squares too large to be
edited in TypeSmith. Most fonts have em-squares of 1000x1000 character
units, and TypeSmith allows up to 1400x1200 units, which is more than
adequate for most work. Font concepts such as em-squares, path direction
and PostScript fills, font encoding systems, and the differences between
font formats are explained in detail in the TypeSmith manual.

- Note that a demo ARexx script (ARexxDemo.tsrx) has been included with
this demo version of TypeSmith. If you have ARexx, place this script in
RAM:, load ARexx and then run TypeSmith. Press function key F1 in
TypeSmith to see a demo of some of TypeSmith's ARexx features. You can
move the ARexx script to another directory if you want, as long as you
notify TypeSmith with the Install ARexx Macros command.

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TYPESMITH - The Professional Amiga Outline Font Editor

Until now, all professional outline fonts for the Amiga were created on
other brands of computers. TypeSmith will change this. Soft-Logik is
pleased to give you this preview of TypeSmith, the first professional Amiga
outline font editor.

TypeSmith can create and edit PostScript, Compugraphic and Soft-Logik
outline fonts. These three formats are the primary font systems used on
Amiga computers.

TypeSmith has powerful drawing tools to allow you to create new fonts. You
can also import characters and symbols from structured drawing programs
such as Art Expression. With these powerful features, you can create custom
fonts and include your logo in your favorite fonts.

You can also use TypeSmith to convert fonts between formats. TypeSmith
allows you to open PostScript Type 1, Compugraphic Intellifont and
Soft-Logik DMF Outline fonts. You can then save the fonts in any of these
formats, or export the font in PostScript Type 3 format.

Templates and AutoMetric

Bitmap pictures and Amiga bitmap fonts may be loaded as templates so that
you can trace over them. This is an easy way to create the fonts you need.
You can also import a bitmap picture published from any other HotLinks
compatible application.

TypeSmith has many other features professionals and hobbyists will both
find useful. Its AutoMetricTM feature will automatically create character
widths, and you can import kerning pairs from one font into another. You
can make proportional fonts into monospaced fonts, or just make the numbers
monospaced so that they align in columns.

Interface, HotLinks & ARexx

If you are already familiar with Soft-Logik's PageStream and Art
Expression, TypeSmith will make you will feel right at home. TypeSmith uses
a Workbench 2 and 3 style interface so that you can use it right away. And
not only is TypeSmith HotLinks compatible, but it also supports ARexx.

Compatibility Plus

Not only can TypeSmith create fonts for use with Art Expression and
PageStream, it can create fonts for use with Professional Page,
Professional Draw and Workbench 2 and 3! Now you can use your favorite
fonts with all your programs.

TypeSmith brings professional font editing capabilities to the Amiga.

Font Formats

· Open and save PostScript Type 1, Compugraphic Intellifont and
  Soft-Logik format fonts. Export PostScript Type 3 fonts, and Professional
  Page .dat and .metric files.
· Convert fonts between formats.
· Import IFF DR2D structured drawings and paste into a character.
  Incorporate your logo or drawing as a character in your favorite font!
· Export characters as IFF DR2D to copy individual characters to a drawing
  or publishing program.
· Import kerning pairs from any AFM file into another font.

Templates

· Draw over bitmapped fonts and clipart to quickly duplicate bitmapped
  images.
· Import IFF ILBM pictures as templates.
· Subscribe to HotLinked pictures as templates.
· Import and scale Amiga bitmap fonts as templates (requires AmigaDOS
  2.0+).

Drawing Features

· Powerful Line and Curve path tools for creating any type of character.
· Easy-to-use Box and Ellipse basic shape tools to quickly draw common
  shapes.
· Close Path tool to close opened paths.
· All characters are fully editable as paths, including the ability to add,
  delete, and join points.
· Convert lines to curves, and curves to lines.
· Edit the coordinates of any point. Next and Previous gadgets allow you to
  edit all the points in a path numerically without closing the requester.

Character Path Manipulation

· See lines and curves change as you resize and reshape them.
· Auto-scroll window as you move points.
· Snap points and character paths to the definable grid.
· Slant, rotate, scale and flip character paths and ranges of characters.
· Duplicate character paths.
· Cut, copy and paste character paths. Cut and paste between characters.
· Clockwise / Counterclockwise path direction information.
· Change the direction of a character path at any time.

Font Definitions

· Set all font attributes, including name, notice, font ID, weight,
  underline offset and underline thickness.
· Set Intellifont options when exporting Compugraphic fonts.
· Define proportional and monospaced fonts.
· Create composite characters to save time and file space.
· Set character widths numerically or visually.
· Kern any character pair.

ARexx

· ARexx compatible. (Requires ARexx.)
· Run multiple copies of TypeSmith and communicate between them with
  sequential ARexx ports.
· Use ARexx to perform repetitive operations.
· Create your own ARexx scripts.

AmigaDOS Interface

· AmigaDOS 2 & 3 style interface, even with Workbench 1.3.
· All preferences can be set from inside the program and saved as the
  default.
· Works on interlace, non-interlace and Workbench screens.
· Change screen modes on the fly.
· Choose English or French requesters and menus. Locale compatible
  (Workbench 2.1+).
· Workbench 3 compatible.
· Amiga AGA compatible.

Work Environment

· Movable toolbox and character window.
· Open multiple character windows for the same font.
· Font Overview Panel allows commands to be performed on ranges of
  characters.
· Type Preview Panel shows fonts in context.
· View characters at different magnifications. Auto Fit-In-Window feature
  choose the optimum magnification for you.
· Undo.
· Coordinate display.
· Print character previews to any Preferences compatible printer.
· Show characters as filled or outlined.
· Show and hide bitmap template.
· Show and hide character guides.
· Show and hide grid.

Plus

· Phone, fax and BBS technical support.
· Support on GEnie, CompuServe and Portal.

Minimum System: Amiga Computer, AmigaDOS 1.3, 2 MB memory (512K chip) and
2 floppy drives.

Recommended System: Amiga Computer, AmigaDOS 2.0+, 2MB memory (1MB chip),
and a hard drive.

Suggested List Price: $199.95.

Order by calling Soft-Logik Publishing Corporation at 1-800-829-8608.
(voice: 314-894-8608, fax: [phone].)

Or write to:

Soft-Logik Publishing
P.O. Box 510589
St. Louis, MO  63151-0589 USA