TYPESMITH 2.02 RELEASE NOTES
============================
Welcome to TypeSmith 2.02! This addendum supplements the User Manual and
should be read before using the program.
The list of changes below describes the more important changes made in this
version of TypeSmith. Many companies do not provide a list of what has been
fixed in a new version because this would imply that there were problems in
the previous version. We prefer to tell you exactly what has changed to keep
you informed. As you can see from this list, 2.02 adds a few new features
and fixes many problems.
If you are upgrading from TypeSmith 2.0 or 2.01, we hope that you enjoy
using this new version.
CHANGES FROM 2.01 TO 2.02
-------------------------
- New Feature! Automatic Intellifont character level hints should make
Intellifonts much more readable in small sizes. Hints were only applied
at the font level in 2.01.
- New Feature! Edit/Metrics Preview requester: guides now display in the
preview to make it easier to see how the characters fit together.
- New Feature! The character width line can now be moved in the character
window by dragging the diamond icon in the horizontal ruler. (Character
must have a width for this to be available.)
- New Feature! Constrained dragging: Holding down a Shift key while
dragging points constraints movement to either horizontal or vertical.
The movement direction is based on whether the current mouse position is
moved more horizontally or vertically from the point's original position.
(Just like DeluxePaint.)
- New Feature! Pressing the up or down cursor key while a point is selected
selects the next or previous point.
- New Feature! Use the arrow keys while holding down a Shift key to move
the selected point(s) by 1 character unit. This is useful for precision
work. Note that if you are in a magnification mode less than 100%, some
points may appear to not move while other points move. This is due to
rounding because there are less pixels than character units, but the
points will be moved the correct amount.
- New Feature! The Import»PFB PostScript Type 1 Outline command will now
load PFA files in addition to PFB files. (The 'A' in PFA stands for ASCII
while the 'B' in PFB stands for Binary.) You can recognize PFA files
because they have the following comment on the first line:
"%!PS-AdobeFont-1.0" or "%!FontType1". PFB files are similar but have 6
binary bytes followed by this text. The PFB format is the primary
PostScript Type 1 distribution format; however, some programs like
SWDownload produce PFA files. (SWDownload converts NimbusQ to PFA.) So
now there's a way to convert your NimbusQ fonts to PostScript Type 1
format!!!
- New Feature! ProDraw to IFF DR2D Convert utility is now included with
TypeSmith. See the Convert section in this file for more information.
(This was included with some later copies of 2.01.)
- Improved Feature! The Add Point tool now adds the new point on existing
curve instead on the imaginary line joining the points.
- Improved Feature! Export Compugraphic can now be interrupted at any time.
- Restored Feature! The Scale command is back in the Overview Panel's menus.
- Custom mouse pointers now appear as hires sprites on AA machines.
- Export Compugrahpic in 2.01: generated corrupt files---fixed.
- Export Compugraphic .dat/metric in 2.01: crashed---fixed.
- Compugraphic distortions have been fixed.
- Deleted many unnecessary refresh cycles. Should make the program faster.
- Autofit: Previous version did not scale the character window contents
if the cursor keys were used to switch characters.
- Now updates all character windows correctly after font global changes.
- Now saves the system default project icon if def_font.info is unavailable.
(If `save icons' is enabled.)
- New Bitmap command creates typographic points again (instead of pixels).
Note that the expression `point' as used in AmigaDOS is not equivalent to
bitmap font points in TypeSmith. Points are adjusted to DPI of screen.
- Paste now supports CATs so that TypeSmith can exchange data with programs
such as PageStream 3.0.
- Coordinate display now shows actual coordinates of point instead of
mouse coordinates (when selecting and moving single points).
- While dragging guides the prompt display shows the name of the line being
moved and its coordinate.
- Export_PFB ARexx command now supports the |1 option for turning hints on.
- Default path in Load Kerning... file requester is now PostScript path
- Fixed problems with the Save command saving to the wrong file. (If more
than one font was open, Save could save to another font's file.)
- Fixed starting TypeSmith from project icons.
- Fixed misc. problems with New Bitmap Font requester.
- Fixed unsaved changes problems.
- Fixed rulers so they don't scroll with window contents again (as in 2.0).
- Fixed problem with selected points after drag-pasting.
- Fixed low memory problems; now checks for low memory situations.
- Fixed all problems with Tabs and Returns in string gadgets.
- Fixed crashes caused by undoing path drawing in a newly opened character
window.
- Fixed crashes caused by undoing something and closing window.
- Fixed various problems with loading two fonts with different custom
encoding tables. This also fixes a potential crash after quitting TS.
- Fixed set_version command.
- Fixed Save settings to work as documented.
- Fixed numerous problems in bitmap to outline alignment code.
- Fixed crashes after saving ABF fonts.
- Fixed AmigaDOS bitmap font width bug.
- Fixed Print Preview's Outline option.
- Fixed checked/unchecked path orientation menu problems.
- Fixed Notice string problem in Font Attrs requester.
- Fixed problems with the fixed pitch metrics requester not updating all
characters.
- Fixed copy&paste bug in overview panel's template mode.
- Fixed gadget deactivation problems in Print requester.
- Fixed enforcer hit when no metric file was loaded.
- Fixed possible crash in rasterizer with some compositions.
- Fixed rendering problem in metrics preview window.
CHANGES FROM 2.0 TO 2.01
------------------------
- The following files in the TSFiles directory are no longer required. You
may delete them if you originally installed 2.0:
- TSFiles/if.ss
- TSFiles/if.fnt
- TSFiles/ts1hintsubr
- TSFiles/ts1hintsubr.info
- Important note: do NOT delete the def_font.info file from TSFiles. It
is required to use TypeSmith. At this time, it should be the only file
in the TSFiles directory.
- Exporting ABF files now works correctly.
- Added a separate utility program to convert ProDraw Clip to IFF DR2D.
- Overview panel, Type Preview panel, Bitmap font generation: these
features have been greatly enhanced with a faster and higher quality
bitmap rasterizer. This means better quality and better speed. Problems
with some of these features have been eliminated by the new rasterizer.
Note that the maximum bitmap font size is 48 points.
- Improved bitmap to outline character matching.
- Format of EXPORT_IF ARexx command changed and command fixed.
- Fill leak problem with some DMF fonts has been fixed. (Symptom: font
fill would leak down the page in PageStream.)
- Exporting a Compugraphic Intellifont with hints toggled on now generates
character level hints in addition to font level hints. This will further
improve the appearance of Compugraphic Intellifonts at small sizes and
low resolutions.
- You no longer have to press Return in text gadgets for TypeSmith to
accept your changes.
- All choices in the Options requester are now saved properly when you
choose the Save gadget.
- Type Preview panel: sometimes all windows stayed disabled after closing
the panel in 2.0 is now fixed.
- Added the ability to move the status bar from the bottom of the screen
to the top. Change the program icon tooltype from Information=Bottom to
Information=Top.
- Fixed some memory problems.
- Print Preview problems have been solved.
- Fixed metric-related ARexx commands (set_width, get_width).
- Fixed some problems in Edit Compositions.
- Some requesters are now resizable to make it easier to see more
information.
- Made cosmetic changes to some requesters to accomodate foreign language
versions.
UPGRADING FROM 2.0 OR 2.01
--------------------------
In the installer, choose to install TypeSmith in the same directory as
your current TypeSmith drawer. You need only copy the program and help
files if you have a complete 2.0 installation.
UPGRADING FROM 1.0
------------------
In the installer, choose to install TypeSmith in the same directory as
your current TypeSmith drawer.
When you first run TypeSmith after installing it, you will be prompted to
type your registration number. Use the number from your original TypeSmith
1.0 master disk.
FONTS
-----
Two sample fonts have been included with TypeSmith. These are DemoFont and
TSTimes. They include DMF and FM files and are stored in the TSfonts
drawer. DemoFont has only a few characters, but demonstrates incorporating
logos into a font. TSTimes is a complete font and uses the standard
TypeSmith composition table.
TSTimes should not be taken as an example of great font design. This font
was designed years ago and does not follow font design principles. It is
included here only as an example of a complete font.
COMPOSITION TABLES
------------------
Sample composition tables have been included in the CompTables drawer.
Note that when you load a composition table, you must adjust the offset of
the composition accent parts to fit the design and size of your
characters. The included tables are:
· Blank.comp: no compositions. Load this table when you want to dissolve
all the compositions in a font.
· Intellifont.comp: this table contains the standard compositions for
Compugraphic Intellifonts.
· TypeSmith.comp: this table contains the standard compositions for
PostScript and Soft-Logik fonts.
KERNING PAIRS
-------------
A sample AFM file with kerning pairs has been included to allow you to
easily experiment with the Load Kern feature in the Metrics requester. It
is called KernPairs.AFM and is stored in the TSfonts drawer.
SUPPLIED AREXX MACROS
---------------------
The following ARexx scripts are provided with TypeSmith:
· ARexxDemo.tsrx: this script demonstrates TypeSmith's ARexx commands.
If you want to write your own ARexx scripts for TypeSmith, examine this
script in a text editor while running the script in TypeSmith.
· ConvertPStoCG: this script allows you to select a PostScript PFB font to
convert to Compugraphic format. This provides an easy method for
converting fonts.
· MoveCharacter.tsrx: this script moves a character horizontally and/or
vertically by the specified number of character units. This provides an
easy way to move a character while retaining the relative positions of
the points.
· ReduceCharacters.tsrx: this script deletes co-located points (points
with the same coordinates) to remove unnecessary points. You should
never design characters with co-located points.
· MakeLibrary.tsrx: this script exports all or selected characters from a
font and saves them as separate IFF DR2D files to create a character
library. When prompted for a filepath and name, you should enter
a drive and filename. i.e., ram:test would create files such as:
ram:test.1, ram:test.2, ram:test.3
· LoadLibrary.tsrx: this script imports all or selected characters from
IFF DR2D files into the current font. The files must be named with a
common prefix and stored in the same drawer.
If you write any ARexx Macros for TypeSmith which you are willing to allow
us to distribute with TypeSmith so that other users may share them, mail
them to: Soft-Logik Publishing, Product Development, P.O. Box 510589,
St. Louis, MO 63151-0589. Credit will be given in the ARexx macro to the
author.
Note that ARexx commands are documented only in the AmigaGuide help
system included with TypeSmith 2.0.
AUTOTRACING
-----------
The intent of having an autotracer in TypeSmith is to allow you to sketch
your characters on paper, scan them into IFF ILBM format, and then trace
them in TypeSmith. You should not trace a small bitmap font, such as a 24
point AmigaDOS font, because there is not enough data to trace. Use high
resolution scans for best results.
If you would like to experiment with the autotracer, use the Template/
Open IFF ILBM Template command to import the TraceTest.ILBM picture in the
TSart drawer. Try tracing this on each of the three settings. The Normal
setting gives a good result. Medium is also acceptable. Accurate should
only be used with caution; it takes a long time and produces an excessive
number of points.
If you try to trace the A_Serif.ILBM picture in TSart, you will see why
resolution is so important to get an accurate trace. This picture is not
sharp enough for autotracing to be useful.
CUSTOM vs TYPESMITH ENCODING
----------------------------
When you import a PostScript Type 1 font and are prompted to choose
between custom and TypeSmith encoding, you should normally choose
TypeSmith encoding. Loading a font with custom encoding can put the
characters in unexpected positions. Loading a font with TypeSmith encoding
will put the characters in the correctly-named positions. The main
exception to this rule is when loading a symbol or pi (dingbats) font.
In this case, the named positions are irrelevant and you should maintain
the original encoding system by choosing custom encoding.
When you export a PostScript Type 1 font, you should normally use
TypeSmith encoding (by not choosing Adobe Standard Encoding you will be
choosing TypeSmith encoding). This will ensure the full character set is
saved. If you choose Adobe Standard Encoding, characters not in the Adobe
set will be lost because its character set is smaller than TypeSmith's. If
you plan to convert the font with Gold Disk's Font Manager after exporting
as PostScript Type 1, you should choose Adobe Standard Encoding.
STATUS PANEL PROMPTS
--------------------
You must have AmigaDOS 3.0 or higher in order to see prompts at the bottom
of your screen. This feature of TypeSmith requires AmigaDOS 3.0 in order
to get notification when the mouse is over a tool or gadget.
Soft-Logik Publishing highly recommends that you upgrade to the latest
available version of AmigaDOS in order to get maximum benefit from
TypeSmith 2.0.
AMIGAGUIDE HELP SYSTEM
----------------------
TypeSmith 2.0 comes with online help. Just press the Help key at any time
to get help. TypeSmith uses the standard AmigaGuide help system. Commodore
has improved this system with the release of AmigaDOS 3.0, so the
appearance of the help files will vary depending on your operating system.
If you have AmigaDOS 3.0 or higher, pressing Help will open directly to
the correct Help screen if a requester is open, the pointer is over a tool
(the toolbox must be active), or if a menu command is highlighted. Note
that you cannot press Help while a requester is open and the text cursor
is in a text gadget. You must first move the cursor out of the text gadget
by clicking on the background of the requester before pressing Help.
If you have AmigaDOS 2.04 or 2.1, pressing Help will always open up to the
main Help contents screen.
AmigaDOS 3 comes with Multiview to read AmigaGuide help files such as
those included with TypeSmith 2.0. AmigaDOS 2.1 comes with a program
called AmigaGuide to read these files.
AmigaDOS 2.04 users: AmigaGuide is included with TypeSmith and it can be
installed with TypeSmith so you can also use the help system.
CONVERT PRODRAW CLIP TO IFF DR2D
--------------------------------
We have included a program called Convert on your TypeSmith disk. Convert
reads Professional Draw Clip files and converts them to the standard IFF
DR2D structured format which TypeSmith can read. Gold Disk's Professional
Draw uses a proprietary format which cannot be imported directly into
TypeSmith.
Double-click on the Convert program icon to open its requester. Click on
the top "Set..." gadget which will open a file requester to select a file
to convert. Alternatively, enter a complete filename to convert in the top
text gadget.
Click on the bottom "Set..." gadget to set an output path. The Convert
program will create separate files for each clip in the Professional Draw
Clip file and will append the clip name plus DR2D to the original filename.
Example: the file "Objects" contains two clips, Box and Circle. Convert
will create two files called "Objects.Box.DR2D" and "Objects.Circle.DR2D".
All Professional Draw options are translated in the conversion except
gradient fills and dashed lines which are not used in a font editor.
Convert also has a batch mode. If you set the "Clip" text gadget to just a
path without specifying a ProDraw file, all the clips in that directory
will be converted when you choose the "Convert" gadget. Convert may also
be used from the shell.
Usage: convert <filename> <destination directory>.
Example: convert df0:drawing.clp ram:
FLOPPY DRIVE USERS
------------------
As mentioned in the manual, you can start using TypeSmith 2.0 right away
by making a working backup of this disk and then double clicking on the
TypeSmith icon.
NOTE THE IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS ON PAGE iv OF THE MANUAL: You must copy
the IFF.library file to your Libs: directory in order to use TypeSmith.
Your Libs: directory is on your Workbench disk.
The sample clip art, font, ARexx macros, help system and font downloader
are stored on the disk in compressed format, so you will have to
decompress the files before using them. You can use the LHEX program on
this disk to decompress the files.
To decompress an archive, type the following line in a shell when the
TypeSmith disk is in df0:
cd ram: (this makes ram: the current directory.)
copy df0:LHEX "" (this copies the decompressor to ram:)
copy df0:name.LHA "" (where name is the name of the archive)
(this copies the archive to ram:)
LHEX x name.LHA (this decompresses the archive)
Now you can copy the files to the applicable directory. Hard drive users
can simply use the Install-TypeSmith script to uncompress files.
EXPORTING PFM FILES
-------------------
This feature, as documented in the manual, is not currently implemented.
We hope to add this feature in a future minor upgrade.
CORRECTIONS TO THE MANUAL
-------------------------
page 1.12: The default dimensions are now 1400x1200, which are the
maximum allowed.
page 2.3: The pictures of the Box and Ellipse tools are reversed.
page 2.15: para 2: The Import/PFB PostScript Type 1 Outline command can
open Mac format PFB files, not just MS-DOS as stated in the manual.
page 3.4, para 2: The Show Template command is in the View menu, not the
Settings menu.
Index: the section on Print Preview is on page 2.23, not 2.26.
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