Font Technology

Question 1

Bitmap fonts

Answer 1

before PostScript. each letter represented as an accumulation of pixels in a matrix on the screen or in a printout. each size was a different font

Question 2

Adobe PostScript Type 1 format

Answer 2

describes all the characters in a character set as an abstract mathematical outline using Bezier curves. made it possible to represent/issue type in any size.

Question 3

Bezier curves

Answer 3

a parametric curve used in computer graphics and related fields. In vector graphics, Bézier curves are used to model smooth curves that can be scaled indefinitely. “Paths” are combinations of linked Bézier curves.

Question 4

TrueType format

Answer 4

used by Windows, different than PostScript

Question 5

OpenType font format

Answer 5

1st font format that can be used cross platform (Mac/Windows). a container format (contains either PostScript Type 1 (CCF) curves or TrueType curves). suffix .otf is CFF, .tff is TrueType. Contain all the signs available in a character set in a single font file.

Question 6

unicode character coding

Answer 6

international 2-byte character coding. usual assignment restrictions (256 glyphs for PS) no longer apply. OpenType can contain 65,536 glyphs.

Question 7

character coding

Answer 7

a process in which the general representation of a sign is displayed simply by means of a code (ASCII or Unicode). character sets are based on so-called character coding.

Question 8

ASCII

Answer 8

(American Standard Code for Information Interchange) a 7 bit binary code for the standard representation of up to 128 letters and signs.

Question 9

Multiple Master (MM)

Answer 9

fonts based on the PostScript Type 1 format. allows an unlimited range of type variants to be created in a typographically correct manner and with infinitely variable adjustment.

Question 10

anti-aliasing

Answer 10

a process used to smooth unattractive, step-like edges when displaying letters or objects on a low-resolution monitor. it adds color shades to the edge of the letter and the background color (appear smoother but less sharp).

Question 11

hinting

Answer 11

allows font outlines to be optimally displayed on low resolution devices without changing the typeface design. mathematical instructions (hints) are embedded in the fonts so that the outline of a letter better matches the screen matrix of the display medium.

Question 12

webfonts

Answer 12

digital typefaces intended for use on the web. stored on a web server and loaded in the browser when one accesses the site. (EOF and WOFF)