FreeType/2 Beta II Released

David Turner just uploads FreeType/2 Beta II - Warp 3+ version on Hobbes and the archive is ft2b2.zip (179.12KbK). This is the second beta of FREETYPE.DLL, the free TrueType driver for all 32-bits OS/2 systems. This version works on al Warp 3 systems, and higher. The second beta provides improved performance, reduce memory footprint, some bugfixes as well as better international support.

FreeType/2 is an OS/2 TrueType Font Driver DLL based on the FreeType engine. It replaces IBM's TRUETYPE.DLL in Warp 4, but it can be installed on older versions of OS/2 too - but see below!
If you're running Warp 4, or Warp 3 with sufficient fixpacks, look for the archive ft2b2w4.zip, which contains a version proposing optimal Unicode support, through the system UCONV.DLL library.


First a short Q&A:

Q1: What's this?
A1: This is what OS/2 users have been waiting for only too long - a free,
high-quality TrueType renderer a.k.a. Font Driver conforming to the
OS/2 Intelligent Font Interface specification. It is based on FreeType -
a free portable library for using TrueType fonts.
Please note that although this code is free the FreeType team and
I will cheerfully accept any donations by happy users ;-) (not that I
expect to get any)

Q2: How do I use this?
A2: Go to OS/2 command line and run INSTALL.CMD from the directory containing FREETYPE.DLL. This will replace the original IBM TrueType driver if it is installed.

Q3: Where's the disclaimer?
A3: No, don't worry, I didn't forget that. I of course provide NO WARRANTY
that this code will work as you expect. Use only at your OWN RISK!

Q4: What should I do RIGHT NOW?
A4: Before attempting to install this driver, you are STRONGLY advised
to archive your current configuration (Set Desktop Properties/Archive/
Create archive at each startup, then reboot. Then of course switch archiving
off). It is always possible your system won't boot with the font driver
installed. You can risk it, but I warned you! You know how nasty the
computers can be ;-)

Q5: What about the license?
A5: This code is distributed under the FreeType license.
It is free and the source code is available as part of the FreeType
distribution.

Q6: How do I get rid of this?
A6: Ah, right question. Just run UNINSTALL.CMD. That removes the font driver
(not physically, it just isn't used on next startup) and restores the
original TRUETYPE.DLL if it exists.
If the REXX script doesn't work (e.g. when you boot to the command line),
use UNINST.EXE instead.

Q7: What versions of OS/2 are supported?
A7: The Font Driver has been successfully tested on OS/2 Warp 3 and Warp 4.
It should run on lower versions too but you will need a different DLL
version. The Font Driver DLL uses a compression scheme supported on OS/2 Warp 3 and above only.
Note: I briefly tested on OS/2 2.1 and it seemed to work fine.

Q8: How do I limit memory use?
A9: Use LIMIT.CMD. It is pretty self explanatory.

Q9: Is there something else?
A9: Yes, be prepared that the fonts just kick ass! You will no longer have
to envy those poor souls still using the so-called 95% OS from THAT
unspeakable company starting with the letter M ;-)


Current features/bugs/limitations

Features : - outlines
- scaled/rotated text
- supports printed output
- works on older versions of OS/2
- national characters (if provided in the font, of course);
should work with all Latin codepages, Cyrillic and Greek.
Support for DBCS countries is being worked on.

Bugs : - unharmonious glyph spacing in some applications. This seems
to come from OS/2's WYSIWYG glyph placement policy. This
is more or less visible depending on the application. We
can't do a lot about this...


Limitations: - no support for kerning - it will be added, but there are
many features needed more urgently.

- no grayscaling (a.k.a. antialiasing) - this is a limitation
of OS/2, not my code. If OS/2 starts supporting it, I'll
implement it the moment I lay my hands on the specs :)
(and you won't need any PlusPak :))
Unfortunately it most probably won't happen any too soon.
Anyway, you have to bug IBM about this one, not me!

Note: I'm considering ways of adding antialiasing myself.
I think a display driver hook DLL might solve this (and
a few nasty hacks). If you have experiences with that,
and would like to help, please write to mike@mendelu.cz.

- no TTC (TrueType collection) support. This will very probably
be in the next Beta release (whenever that will be).

- Planned features and features under consideration:
- removing at least some limitations mentioned above
- possibly adding even support for Type 1 fonts, but that depends on
further FreeType engine development. Looks quite probable now.

And finally, thanks go to:
- the FreeType team, the makers of FreeType. Without them, my work would be impossible.
- especially David Turner of FreeType for his help, advice and support
- Robert Muchsel, I used one or two ideas from his code
- Marc L Cohen, Ken Borgendale and Tetsuro Nishimura from IBM. They provided with lots of extremely valuable 'inside' information.
- and last but not least - IBM, for providing us with the wonderful OS/2.
And for giving out the necessary docs for free. If all companies did
that, the world would be a better place.
And the imperfect TrueType driver, which enabled me to waste my spare
time in this silly way ! :-)))


Information on FreeType is available at

http://www.freetype.org

Please send bug reports/suggestions and comments to :

os2@freetype.org



CONTACT:

David Turner
david@freetype.org
Program contact email: os2@freetype.org
Program URL: http://www.freetype.org/os2/index.html
@Macarlo, Inc.
@Macarlo's Shareware & Web
OS/2
Java Lobby Member
Java Site Accredited

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