Re: freetype package update changes fonts.

On Thu, 2 Jun 2005, Morten Kjeldgaard wrote:

> > freetype and freetype-devel were recently updated from Dag's repository 
> > and it looks like after the new package is installed, it slightly 
> > changes my KDE system fonts, and not in a good way.  The fonts seem to 
> > be the same, but they're a little larger and seem to be less aliased.
> 
> I believe the update has come about following a discussion on the
> packagers list. The change incorporates some of Avi's work. Take a look
> at his HOWTO here: http://en.tldp.org/HOWTO/Font-HOWTO/

The freetype library now includes the bytecode interpreter, which is a big 
win for truetype fonts that include proper hinting, but worse for those 
fonts that rely on anti-aliasing. (sadly few fonts provide proper hinting)

We're looking into getting the best of both worlds (ie. enable 
anti-aliasing for those fonts that do not have proper hinting)

In the worst case I will revert the change (ie. release the original 
freetype without the bytecode interpreter). But the results look better on 
my desktop and I didn't make a change, but I'm using the right fonts with 
hinting support apparently.

See this message as an admission that I shouldn't have added it like that. 
But with the support of the author of the Font HOWTO and my own 
(improved) experience I made that call. And I now regret that.

I'd like to provide the fonts that have proper hinting (currently you have 
to download them from the link in the Font HOWTO).

Sorry for those that have been affected, you know how to revert the 
change manually or wait until I've figured out to get the best of both 
worlds.

--   dag wieers,  [email protected],  http://dag.wieers.com/   --
[all I want is a warm bed and a kind word and unlimited power]