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diff --git a/help/comp-fonts-FAQ/comp.fonts_FAQ:_Utilities b/help/comp-fonts-FAQ/comp.fonts_FAQ:_Utilities new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..576662e47c --- /dev/null +++ b/help/comp-fonts-FAQ/comp.fonts_FAQ:_Utilities @@ -0,0 +1,542 @@ +Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!news.mathworks.com!zombie.ncsc.mil!newsgate.duke.edu!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!paperboy.wellfleet.com!news3.near.net!amber.ora.com!not-for-mail +From: norm@ora.com (Norman Walsh) +Newsgroups: comp.fonts,comp.answers,news.answers +Subject: comp.fonts FAQ: Utilities +Supersedes: <font-faq-16_817479312@ora.com> +Followup-To: poster +Date: 14 Aug 1996 10:35:35 -0400 +Organization: O'Reilly and Associates, Inc. +Lines: 519 +Sender: norm@ruby.ora.com +Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu +Distribution: world +Expires: 27 Sep 1996 14:34:08 GMT +Message-ID: <font-faq-16_840033248@ora.com> +References: <font-faq-1_840033248@ora.com> +Reply-To: norm@ora.com (Norman Walsh) +NNTP-Posting-Host: ruby.ora.com +Summary: This posting answers frequently asked questions about fonts. + It addresses both general font questions and questions that + are specific to a particular platform. +X-Web-Homepage: http://www.ora.com/homepages/comp.fonts/ +Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu comp.fonts:48313 comp.answers:20527 news.answers:79248 + +Archive-name: fonts-faq/part16 +Version: 2.1.5 + +Subject: 11. Utilities Information + + I have just started collecting information about font utilities. I + will gladly add any information that you can pass my way. Please send + your submissions to norm. + + I would appreciate it if you could include a paragraph or so of + description and the appropriate site/filename for retrieval. + +Subject: 11.1. How do I convert AFM files to PFM files + + You can get afm2pfm and pfm2afm files from + http://www.ora.com/homepages/comp.fonts/FAQ-tools.html. + +Subject: 11.2. PS2PK + + PS2PK is a utility for converting Type1 postscript fonts into TeX PK + files. The source code is distributed and it has been compiled for + both *nix boxes and MS-DOS based machines. + + Here is the original announcement: + + Ps2pk-1.2 available + ------------------- + (June 1992) + + Version 1.2 of ps2pk is now available on: + ftp.urc.tue.nl (address: 131.155.2.79) + directory: /pub/tex + files: ps2pk12.README ( 1k) This file + ps2pk12.tar.Z (391k) Sources + ps2pk386.zip (232k) MSDOS executables + utopia.tar.Z (342k) Adobe Utopia font family + courier.tar.Z (207k) IBM Courier font family + + For people having difficulties in handling UNIX `.tar.Z' format I + have made some UNIX tools (only executables) available in: + directories: /pub/unixtools/dos + /pub/unixtools/vms + + See the system specific TARZ file for some help. + + Ftp.urc.tue.nl can not handle E-mail requests. But sites are free + to put the ps2pk12 stuff on any server that can. + + When do you need ps2pk? + ======================= + + Ps2pk is a tool that converts a PostScript type1 font into a corres- + ponding TeX PK font. The tool is especially interesting if you want to + use fully hinted type1 fonts in your DVI previewer (instead of the + unhinted type1 fonts currently used in GhostScript) or on a printer + that has no PostScript interpreter. + + In order to use the ps2pk generated fonts your driver and previewer need + to support virtual fonts. The reason is that PostScript fonts and TeX + fonts do have a different font encoding and handle ligatures in a + different way. With virtual fonts the PostScript world (encoding + + ligatures) can be mapped to the old style TeX world on which the current + plain macro packages still are based (despite the fact that TeX3.0 can + handle 8bits). + + It is also possible to use the ps2pk generated PK fonts directly + +Subject: 11.3. TeX Utilities + + There are many TeX font utilities. For TeX related questions, I direct + you to comp.text.tex or the Info-TeX mailing list. I will happily list + any utilities here that the comp.fonts public feels should be present. + I am listing MetaFont because it is the obvious font-specific component + of TeX and PKtoSFP because it allows anyone to use PS2PK to create + LaserJet softfonts. + + Liam R. E. Quin is the original author of the MetaFont section. It has + been hacked at a bit by norm to make it fit the tone of the comp.fonts + FAQ. Assume that norm is responsible for any errors, not Liam. + + MetaFont + ======== + + About MetaFont: + --------------- + + Metafont is a programming language for describing fonts. It was + written by Donald Knuth and is documented in + + Computers & Typesetting/C: The METAFONTbook + Knuth, Donald E. + Addison Wesley, 1986 + ISBN 0-201-13445-4, or 0-201-13444-6 (soft cover) + Library access: Z250.8.M46K58, or 686.2'24, or 85-28675. + + A font written in MetaFont is actually a computer program which, when + run, will generate a bitmap (`raster') for a given typeface at a given + size, for some particular device. + + What do you need in order to use the fonts: + ------------------------------------------- + + You cannot print the MetaFont fonts directly (unless you want a listing + of the program, that is). Instead, you must generate a bitmap font and + use that to print something. + + If you are using TeX, the sequence of steps is something like this: + + MF to MetaFont to GF + Convert a MetaFont program into a bitmapped font. Also produces a + TFM file. + + MF to MetaFont to TFM + Covnert a MetaFont program into a TFM file. Also produces a + GF bitmapped font. + + GF to GFtoPK to PK + Convert a GF bitmapped font into a compressed PK font. + + TEX + TFM to TeX to DVI + Produce a device independent output file. + + DVI + PK to dvi driver to output format + Produce a device-specific output file (or preview). + + The above steps are idealized. In reality, you have to make sure that + the fonts get installed in the correct places and you may have to + adjust description files, etc. The friendly folks on comp.text.tex can + probably get it staightened out for you if you can't find a local guru. + + If you are not using TeX, it's almost impossible to predict. At some + point in the above sequence, you'll insert some other conversion + program and proceed differently. Here, for example, is how you might + use TeX fonts with WordPerfect and a LaserJet printer. + + PK to PKtoSFP to SFP + Convert a TeX PK file into an HP LaserJet softfont. + + SFP to SFP2Auto to TFM + Make HP AutoFont Tagged Font Metric file. + + SFP + HP AutoFont TFM to PTR to Installed in WP + Install the new font in WordPerfect. + + Use WordPerfect as you normally would. + +Subject: 11.4. MFPic + + MFpic is a macro package for including pictures in TeX documents. The + idea behind this package is to have Metafont do the actual drawing, and + store the pictures in a font that TeX can include in the document. The + macros have been designed so that the user should never have to learn + Metafont to use these macros--the TeX macros actually write the + Metafont file for you. + +Subject: 11.5. fig2MF + + Briefly, fig2MF uses the mfpic macros to create formatted, commented MF + code from the fig graphics language. This means that programs like xfig + can be used as interactive font creation tools. I wrote fig2MF so that + I could portably illustrate TeX documents, but I suppose one could use + it to design letterforms as well. + + The package consists of a single C source code file, modified mfpic + macros, documentation, and sample fig files. It is available at the + shsu archives. + +Subject: 11.6. GNU Font Utilities + + Here is a brief description of the programs included: + + * imageto extracts a bitmap font from an image in PBM or IMG format, + or converts the image to Encapsulated PostScript. + + * xbfe is a hand-editor for bitmap fonts which runs under X11. + + * charspace adds side bearings to a bitmap font. + + * limn fits outlines to bitmap characters. + + * bzrto converts a generic outline font to Metafont or PostScript. + + * gsrenderfont renders a PostScript outline font at a particular + point size and resolution, yielding a bitmap font. + + * fontconvert can rearrange or delete characters in a bitmap font, + filter them, split them into pieces, combine them, etc., etc. + + * imgrotate rotates or flips an IMG file. + + We need volunteers to help create fonts for the GNU project. You do not + need to be an expert type designer to help, but you do need to know + enough about TeX and/or PostScript to be able to install and test new + fonts. Example: if you know neither (1) the purpose of TeX utility + program `gftopk' nor (2) what the PostScript `scalefont' command does, + you probably need more experience before you can help. + + If you can volunteer, the first step is to compile the font utilities. + After that, contact me [ed: Karl Berry] (karl@gnu.ai.mit.edu). I will + get you a scanned type specimen image. The manual explains how to use + these utilities to turn that into a font you can use in TeX or + PostScript. + + You can get the source by ftp from any GNU archive site. + + You can also order tapes with GNU software from the Free Software + Foundation (thereby supporting the GNU project); send mail to + gnu@prep.ai.mit.edu for the latest prices and ordering information, or + retrieve the file DISTRIB from a GNU archive. + + This is Info file compfont.info, produced by Makeinfo-1.55 from the + input file FAQ.texinfo. + +Subject: 11.7. Font Editors + + * Editors for BDF fonts + + There is a bdf font editor that comes with HP/Apollo workstations. + It's called 'edfont'. It's not the best but it works. + + Gary reports: + + The standard X distribution for X11R5 contains "xfed", which + allows you to play with BDF fonts. "xfedor" has a more elaborate + user interface, and is available on most contrib directories. + + The last time I tried: + + "xfedor" couldn't handle BDF files with more than 256 characters. + + "xfed" aborts if the BDF file contains a COMMENT line with no other + text. The workaround is to edit the BDF file, to put text after + the word COMMENT. A single blank space is sufficient. For some + reason, the standard BDF files included in the X release contain + blank spaces on the otherwise empty COMMENT lines. It was + probably easier to add the space to the COMMENT lines of every BDF + file than it was to fix the lex code for xfed. :-) + + * Editors for PK fonts + + The GNU font utilities include an X-based editor called Xbfe which + edits bitmapped fonts under X. + + Eberhard Mattes' emTeX includes PKedit. + +Subject: 11.8. The T1 Utilities + + This is a snippet from the README file for I. Lee Hetherington's + t1utils package: + + t1utils is a collection of simple type-1 font manipulation programs. + Together, they allow you to convert between PFA (ASCII) and PFB + (binary) formats, disassemble PFA or PFB files into human-readable + form, reassemble them into PFA or PFB format. Additionally you can + extract font resources from a Macintosh font file (ATM/Laserwriter). + +Subject: 11.9. Where to get bitmap versions of the fonts + + There are archives containing the bitmaps of many of these fonts at + various sizes and resolutions. The fonts must have been generated for + the correct print engine: e.g. write-white or write-black. The + archives generally hold only the sizes used by TeX. These are + `magstep' sizes, and are not exact point sizes. It is probably better + to generate them from the Metafont sources yourself if you can. + + The best place to look for raster fonts was almost certainly: + mims-iris.waterloo.edu + + but it isn't any more, the fonts have all gone. Let me know if you + find them elsewhere. Most people seem to have moved to using + PostScript fonts or Bitstream ones instead now. + + Some other sites are: + + ftp.cica.indiana.edu + mac.archive.umich.edu + ftp.shsu.edu + ftp.tex.ac.uk + ftp.dante.de + + The occasional posting of ftp sites to comp.misc and comp.archives + lists these and several other sites. + +Subject: 11.10. Converting between font formats + + Conversions to and from pbm and pk format were posted to comp.text.tex + and to alt.sources on the 9th of August, 1990 by Angus Duggan. The + program is pbmtopk, and there are also at least two patches. + + Chris Lewis' psroff package includes a program to go from pk both to + the HP LaserJet and to PostScript. + + John McClain <ophelp@tamvenus.bitnet> has some conversion programs for + various graphics formats to/and from pk files. + + A PC program, CAPTURE, turns HPGL files into PK format, US$130 from + Micro Programs Inc., 251 Jackson Ave., Syosset, NY 11791 U.S.A. + + Metaplot can take pen-plotter files and prouce metafont files. Note: + Pat Wilcox is no longer at Ohio State. + + Kinch Computer Company sell .pk fonts derived from PostScript fonts. + Kinch Computer Co., 501 S. Meadow St.Ithaca, NY 14850 U.S.A. + telephone: +1 607 273 0222; fax: +1 607 273 0484 + +Subject: 11.11. Getting fonts by FTP and Mail + + If you are using ftp, you will need either the name of the host or the + Internet number. For example, to connect to ftp.ora.com, listed as + ftp: ftp.ora.com [198.112.208.11] you will need to type something like + + ftp ftp.ora.com + + If that doesn't work, try using the number: + + ftp 198.112.208.11 + + If that doesn't work, on Unix systems you can use nslookup (it's + usually /usr/etc/nslookup) to find the host number - it might have + changed. Type the entire host name, and after a few seconds nslookup + will give you the address. Of course, if you have nslookup installed, + the first form will probably work... + + Once you have connected, you will need to go to the appropriate + directory, lists its contents, and retrieve the files. + + Most of the machines listed here run Unix, and you use "ls" and "cd" to + list files and to change directories. On machines that run VMS, you + will have to put square brackets around directory names, like [this]. + + Remember that although Metafont sources are text files, pk fonts are + not ASCII, and you will have to use binary mode for them. In general, + use text mode for README files and *.mf files, and binary mode for + other font files. Files ending in .Z are compressed binary files - you + will need to use binary mode, and then uncompress the files when you + get them. + + There is an ftp-by-mail BITNET service, BITFTP, for BITNET users. + + Before getting large files by mail, please remember to get permission + from all intervening sites. Ask your site administrator, who can send + mail to Postmaster at each site on the way if necessary. + +Subject: 11.12. MetaFont to PostScript Conversion + + There are (I believe) three programs that perform this task. At least + one of them is called "mf2ps". If you have any more information about + these tools, please let me know. + + Chang Jin-woong reports that he found the "mf2ps" package with Archie. + It is written by Shimon Yanai <yanai@israearn.bitnet> and Daniel M. + Berry <dberry@cs.technion.ac.il>. The source programs are written in + Pascal. + + MetaFog, a commercial conveter by Richard Kinch, is available on request + to TrueTeX owners. + +Subject: 11.13. How to use Metafont fonts with Troff + + If, when you run troff, you get the message `typesetter busy', you have + the original Ossanna-troff, also called otroff. Chris Lewis has a + package which will let you use TeX fonts with troff - it's called + psroff, and comes with documentation. + + ftp: gatekeeper.dec.com (16.1.0.2) pub/misc/psroff-3.0 + ftp: ftp.cs.toronto.edu [128.100.1.105] pub/psroff-3.0/* + + If, when you run troff, you get something like this: + + x T 300 + x res 300 1 1 + + you have ditroff. This is sometimes called titroff or psroff. In this + case, you will probably need to do the following: + + 1. convert the font to your printer's format + + 2. generate a width table for the font + + 3. add the font to the DESC file for the appropriate device + + 4. arrange for troff to download the font + + 5. tell troff about the font by running `makedev DESC' in the + right place. + + If, when you run troff, you get something like this: + + X hp(SCM)(CM)(AF)(AD) 300 1 1 + Y P default letter 2550 3300 0 0 90 90 2460 3210 + + you have sqtroff: + + 1. convert the font to your printer's format + + 2. generate a width table for the font + + 3. add the font to the DESC file for the appropriate device + + 4. put the font in the appropriate raster directory + + 5. tell sqtroff about the font by running `sqmakedev DESC' or + `sqinstall'. + + In each case, you should be able to get help from your vendor. + + Note that Chris Lewis' psroff package has software to make width tables + for troff from pk files. + +Subject: 11.14. PKtoBDF / MFtoBDF + + From the SeeTeX distribution, programs to help previewers under X11. + They convert TeX PK files into X11 BDF fonts (which can be further + converted into one or more server native formats). + +Subject: 11.15. PKtoPS + + Included in the psroff distribution, this utility converts PK fonts + into PostScript fonts (bitmaps, I presume). If you have any more + information about these tools, please let me know. + +Subject: 11.16. PKtoSFP / SFPtoPK + + Convert fonts from TeX PK format to HP LaserJet softfont (bitmap) + format. + +Subject: 11.17. PostScript to MetaFont + + ps2mf started out as a way of creating bitmaps via MF for TeX. Only, + when I had just finished it, Piet Tutelaers came with ps2pk. This was a + far superior way runtime-wise. He uses the IBM X11-R5 fontutilities + library, which is extremely ugly code. But, it works. So, to generate + bitmaps, I suggest everyone use ps2pk. + + To generate a MF outline description, ps2mf is *the* tool. Yannis + Haralambous has just started a project where he wants to create + meta-ized fonts for MF from Postscript descriptions. ps2mf does the + basic conversion. This project wants to revive the use of MF for it is + a truly beautiful program with enormous possiblities. + + The following information comes from the README file for ps2mf: + + This is pfb2mf. It is a copyleft program. See the file COPYING for more + details. I suggest that for the translation of Type-One to readable + PostScript you use I. Lee Hetherington's Type-1-Utils. You can find + these somewhere on obelix.icce.rug.nl in pub/erikjan. + + If you find any bugs, please do report. + + If you have any complaints, please do report. + + Now for some info about the different stages. This package contains + four programs: + + * pfb2pfa + + * pfa2chr + + * chr2ps + + * ps2mf + + pfb2pfa + ======= + + pfb2pfa will decompress an IBM (!) Postscript type 1 fontfile into + readable and downloadable hexadecimal data. + + The resulting file still contains two layers of encryption: + + * eexec encryption + + * charstring encryption + + pfa2chr + ======= + + pfa2chr will do an eexec-decryption of a readable hexadecimal font file + to a fontfile with encrypted charstrings. + + chr2ps + ====== + + chr2ps will perform a charstring-decryption of a font file with + encrypted charstrings to fontfile with postscript commands for type 1 + fonts. + + With a "-" as filename, these programs will read from <stdin> and write + to <stdout>. This way you can pipe the results, as in: + + pfb2pfa garmnd - | pfa2chr - - | chr2ps - garmnd + + This will create a garmnd.ps from garmnd.pfb without explicitely + creating the intermediate files. + + These previous stages can be replaced by (when using Lee Hetherington's + type-1-utils): + + t1disasm garmnd.pfb garmnd.ps + + ps2mf + ===== + + This last stage will convert to a MetaFont program with the use of the + corresponding .afm file and a mapping configuration file. It can + convert to an ordinary form with Bezier controlpoints. It can also + generate a curl specification. For this last option specifify -C. + +Subject: 11.18. Mac Bitmaps to BDF Format + + I [ed: who?] have posted a program which I hacked together for + extracting all NFNT and FONT resources from a MacBinary form of a + standard Mac file and dumping the fonts as Adobe BDF files. It has only + been compiled and tested on a Sun system to date. It can be fetched + from METIS.COM, /pub/mac2bdf.c. + + I wrote this tool to be able to use Mac Bitmaps under X Windows and + OpenWindows (which take Adobe BDF format files). + |