prototypo
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Keming!
Yes, we know, every type designer who tries the app complains about kerning. Currently kerning can already be added using other type design software, after exporting the font to .svg (and optionally converting it to .otf).
Use https://github.com/hodefoting/kernagic/ to provide better spacing.
Maybe you could make sliders for spacing (stems/rounds/diagonals)?
That seems like a could idea!
Thanks! Since you like it, some thoughts about it: to work properly the "stem" input needs to impact 1) all straight stems on the left in a similar way and 2) all stems on the right (maybe) with a different value. The "diagonal" slider needs to impact all kind of diagonals (v, A, V, W, x, etc.) in different but connected way. The "round" slider may impacts real rounded part (o, left c, etc) and the open letters (right c, right e, left a, etc.). A lot of elements to define, but when the good formula will link all of them a good spacing could be generated quickly. And of course capitals and lower case works differently. :-)
Yep, that's how I imagined it. But @yannickmathey is the one who will decide how spacing will get implemented exactly. Left and right stems are actually called bearings, if I'm not mistaken (again, I'm not the expert on that subject).
Yes that's right! so good luck to @yannickmathey to find the right proportions ;-)
Indeed, we need to build some classes to manage different kind of shapes (round, diagonals, etc.) It will implemented in the v1.0 release because it's an important milestone and it deserves our full attention!
Build classes and – ideally – have the spacing* parametrically linked to [width] [weight] [serif], [contrast] and maybe [axis]. And then, there’s the user’s choice: tight or loose spacing. That would be quite a formula to achieve…
Proper spacing is about rhythm and rhythm is altered by any of these parameters changing (and probably some others I forgot to mention).
*Spacing ain’t kerning and vice-versa (referring to the issue’s title)
Yes, you're right! I still think in static shapes when Prototypo is a parametric and modular editor. So changing a non-spacing param (lenght of serifs, aperture etc.) involves to also change the spacing. Like you said, quite a formula. The other question is which parameters need to be accessible to users and which ones don't. (A tight/loose slider seems a good idea btw.)