Font Smoother Program

Hi, everybody!

I've tried many different fonts for use in my Desktop. I've also tried many Aqua-like ObjectBars.

And Everytime I use Lucida Grande or other font different from the usual ones, I get the edges a bit jagged.

I know many of u guys have this problem on your WinXP systems.

I've tried ClearType, which many of you use (and it gives me headache, really)

but it isn't the real FONT SMOOTHER, since it was done to be used on TFT panels, Not CRT monitors.

So This Post was written with one question in mind:

- Why doesn't someone tries to do a font smoother program for the WindowsXP system?

I'm not a programmer. So I call to You all, Creative Programmers.

What do you say?

#12328

*thread moved/edited.*

please post in the proper forum and try having a question title, incase youre asking/suggesting something

thank you!

edit: regarding your wish, i think it may be a good idea, though im not really sure how low level you got with that. I'd be happy to know that someone made an anti-aliasing program for the fonts, just like the gods have (apple).

#12334

Font smoothing technology already exists on the PC platform (and I mean real font smoothing with gamma control...not the junk that XP does). Although it does not exist in software, it does in hardware. Matrox has released a graphics card called the Parhelia quite some time ago. The card supports a piece of technology called Glyph anti-aliasing which is basically hardware anti-aliasing for text. This makes the text really really sharp and crisp.

To see what I mean follow this link

http://www.matrox.com/mga/products/parheli...ogy/glyphaa.cfm

This is probably the best anti-aliasing you will get on PC hardware and I think the technology is similar to that used on a Mac...

Siddharth

#12344

Microsoft have a smoothing technology: Cleartype. It's in Winxp (look in Display property) and in the first time it was created for LCD monitor.

Later cleartype was edit for be using for all pc. Look this URL:

Microsoft Cleartype Activation

ATENTIONS: Is a new version, isn't the winxp version. This is better.

Active (click YES in the install petition windows and follow the instructions) and restart. I use cleartype and in first time don't look very diferent but later, when I inactivate it, WOOOOW! ... My windows look horrible and activate again . I love it.

------------------------------------

Excuse me my english...

#12385

soulless, J-Blues is correct in what he said...

XP's Cleartype isn't ment for CRT use... its for LCD use.

And Its not that great.

I have taken screenshots zoomed in on text, and seen

how they are performing the AA... its not very good, at least

on a CRT.

I to would like to see a 3rd party app perform AA. That way everyone using OB can get on the same page regardless what OS it is...

Speaking of OB, whats really odd is that Skinstudio has the option for AA... but it has no affect unless cleartype is enabled...

Personally I wish skinstudio's AA option was independent of

xp's cleartype...

hell, it would solve my text and image with text issues in my OB themes.

#12408

ummm....ClearType works fine for CRTs. It may have been designed for LCD panels, but it works fine for CRT's too. HOWEVER...some fonts did not look as well on the CRT using ClearType as they do on LCD's. But fonts like ARIAL, VERDANA and Trebuchet look fantastic. Personally, I like the effect, but I know others who hate it. I guess it's a personal choice (hmm, personal choice...in a Microsoft product...could it be? )

#12481

there are two cleartype's, however they are not that great, they make some improvement, but not that good. Most of the fonts are not that smooth.

#12494

Originally posted by mmr_85@Feb 1 2003, 04:11 AM

there are two cleartype's, however they are not that great, they make some improvement, but not that good. Most of the fonts are not that smooth.

Ah! I was not aware that there were two types. My mistake.

IMHO, I think most fonts are pretty smooth, at least on my LCD. (Maybe since I can only run the LCD at 1024 X 768, it does'nt make much difference?) I admit that I am rather ignorant when it comes to fonts and font smoothing, but they seem ok to me. Some are much better than others. I have both the ClearType and Font Smoothing feature turned on, but I don't know if both are really working or not. I cannot tell much difference with the Font Smoothing off. I would, however, welcome an alternative. There is always room for improvement.

Is OS X dramatically different in this respect? I don't have a Mac nor access to one to judge.

#12508

Wasn't there a web page where you could adjust your cleartype settings? Yes there was. Go to google and search 'clear type microsoft' and click on the search result that leads to the page on microsoft's site.

@George: Dude, its MUCH better on the mac

#12535

Yeah Taha...here's the link to that site..

http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleart...ypeactivate.htm

Siddharth

#12551

#12557

there are 2 types of anti-alising methods in XP. Clear Type, and Standard. The Cleartype is designed flat panels, not crt's. In OS X, it is way better, can some post a screenshot where we can see the fonts? to make a comparison.

#12609

well here are two picstures showing OS X's font smoothing. Nothing too spectacular, IMO at least .

Lucida Grande:

Times New Roman:

#12645

I think it is definitely very smooth compared to font in Windows. Windows's font is sharp, not enough AA make it not so easy on eyes. I think.

#12655

Look at this... <_<

Copy and paste

#12705

Thanks Magbi9....

Yeap XP and its Red/Blue AA... hmm a throwback to the old 3d movie effect...

I noticed this a while ago that XP does this and the main reason OB skins that use Text in Images do not match XP's AA fonts...

Cause... Photoshop and other programs do AA on fonts just like a Mac does it... so this never matches XP's AA.

Basically it comes down to the fact XP doesn't actually do AA on type correctly, and before you say, BUT XP does it for LCDs...

Well sure... but don't mac's all come with LCD's, now?

#12740

I feel cleartype works fine and quite clear on any crt or lcd screens

#12834

Originally posted by exograpix@Feb 2 2003, 04:51 PM

I feel cleartype works fine and quite clear on any crt or lcd screens

yea we all know it is quite clear. but the point is, it still cannot compare to smoothness of fonts in MacOSX.

you can tell the difference easily.

#12917

Originally posted by Taha@Feb 1 2003, 12:14 PM

Wasn't there a web page where you could adjust your cleartype settings? Yes there was. Go to google and search 'clear type microsoft' and click on the search result that leads to the page on microsoft's site.

@George: Dude, its MUCH better on the mac

#12943

I agree with MageGuru. OS X's AA is better. There's no doubt about it - it is a pretty objective matter, not a question of opinion. However, because everybody has little differences in our eyes, some may think it is more confortable with clearType than without it.

Anyway I Work with Fonts on a daily basis, so this is my look at the subject.

But Let's Focus on the main subject of this Post:

ANyone willing to write some code to improve this "Jagged" Problem?

I think that USABILITY is the main issue of Tweaking and Emulating our Systems.

For example I'm looking forward to that "OS X System Prefereces emulating program" because i do think it will make my life easy.

I think that's the purpose of Aqua-Soft (correct me if i'm wrong).

So How about the Font SMoother Program?

(Maybe Stardock would like to include it in next WindowsFX version...)

#13045

Originally posted by j-blues@Feb 4 2003, 03:04 AM

So How about the Font SMoother Program?

(Maybe Stardock would like to include it in next WindowsFX version...)

Try www.545studios.com

there is an app called ClearerType. It has an option to change the cleartype contrast. I think it work's alright. Normally cleartype look's weird on my screen and makes me go crosseyed. Seriously.

But with this app I set the cleartype contrast really low and all is well. It look's awesome. You can't compare with the mac though... -Its a start... Hope this helps

Cheers

#13760

Thanks Nobski!

I'm gonna try it.

#13829

Wow this ClearerType proggie is really awesome.....thanks Nobski

Siddharth

#13838

Gentlemen, I have a PC laptop that I use sometimes ( Compaq / WinXP) and I have played extensivly with some newer Macs last days, looking exactly to see how their font smoothing works, and I have found ABSOLUTELY no reason to be ashamed of owning a PC ( regarding font smoothing of course).

I have found a lot of fuzziness aamong Mac flat screens and laptops, while my laptop is having a sharp font display.

And Microsoft using a color rendering vs the monochrome version of Mac does not show at all Mac strenghts I think.

Of course Mac remains a beautifull machine, but let's be reasonable regarding this worship thing.

Cheers,

#14330

why do I have this font difference? both settings are the same, using the same font, Lucida Grande. But the font in title bar looks smoother bold like OSX compared to font of icons in explorer, which is too thin. <_<

#14472