Create your own Fonts, Symbols, & Characters

(Windows only) MakeUseOf exposes a hidden tool within the Windows directory that enables you to create custom fonts, symbols, and characters.

The tool is located deep within the Windows folder. To get to it, press the Windows key plus R to open the run dialog, and enter: c:\windows\system32\eudcedit.exe.

The Private Character Editor is available to users of both Windows XP and Vista.

[Create Your Own Fonts, Symbols, & Characters (Windows) by MakeUseOf.com]

Apple Beats Microsoft in Font Rendering

When Apple introduced its Safari browser for Windows, I for one, realise what I’ve been missing. And no, it’s not the “authentic Apple experience” which I dont buy into. It’s the font-rendering.

Windows Internet Explorer font rendering:

Safari font rendering:

 

Even with ClearType turned on in Windows Vista, I think it just doesn’t look as good. Fonts look bolder, and more like they’d be if they were printed.

Microsoft has its own font-smoothing technology called ClearType, it was designed with the intent of screen-reading. In fairness, ClearType is a massive improvement over the regular Windows font-smoothing. However, Mac’s own font-smoothing technology just looks better.

ClearType’s problem isn’t so much a problem as a different philosophy. Apple wanted to accurately replicate the fonts we see when printed, and Microsoft made it easier to read things on screen.

Both systems have their advantages. Over a long period of extended use, I think Windows’ rendering might just have the edge, and many agree. However Safari’s level of font-smoothing can be reduced. I have mine set on medium.

Every time I load up Safari to check rendering issues, it just looks better. While it may not be as readable, it makes text so much more beautiful.

Disagree? Have something else to add? What do you think? Let me know in the comments.

FF Nuvo (featured freeware)

FontShop, world-renowned for producing some of the world’s best-designed fonts, has released FF Nuvo as a freebie for a limited time only.

The font file is a medium-weight, OpenType font. Here’s a short description of the font:

FF Nuvo has a soft, calligraphic touch. Its small caps, multiple figure sets, and italics make it a useful family for editorial, advertising and packaging. Its alternate glyphs add typographic versatility.

Here’s a specimen:

_{Note: Type specimen created by me, using material from a random sentence generator.}

Download

• Download page
• Direct link (ZIP file, OTF inside)

Update: 12-Aug-08

Installing Fonts

I realise that some readers may not know how to install fonts on their system. Below are some instructions for a few operating systems.

• Windows Vista: Right click “NuvoOT-Medi.otf” and click Install
• Windows XP: Go to Start > Run > type in “fonts” > drag-and-drop “NuvoOT-Medi.otf” to the Fonts folder
• Mac OS: Drag and drop the font into the Fonts folder in the Library folder
• Linux: Depends on distribution (this might help).