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About This Manual
Introduction
This manual documents the TrueEdit [TM] application. TrueEdit
is a tool developed by Apple Computer, Inc. to make it easy for
TrueType [TM] font developers to support the typographic advances
offered by Apple's QuickDraw [TM] GX software.
QuickDraw GX is an expanded imaging model for the Macintosh (R)
computer that provides powerful new color, graphics, text, and
printing functionality; in particular, GX introduces significant
extensions to the capabilities of TrueType fonts. Using TrueEdit,
developers creating TrueType fonts can add support for such GX
functions as automatic ligatures; true small capitals; full international
kerning; contextual swash forms; size-dependent spacing tracks;
hanging punctuation; and more. TrueType GX fonts can bring the
best of a centuries-old typographic heritage to the Macintosh.
This manual does not address the functional details of QuickDraw
GX. Please refer to the Inside Macintosh volume QuickDraw GX Typography.
This manual documents TrueEdit version 2.0. TrueEdit is still
under development, but Apple has made it available at this stage
to encourage font developers to investigate and experiment with
the new technologies of QuickDraw GX. Some areas of TrueEdit may
be enhanced in subsequent releases. Be sure to check the Release
Notes for the latest information on new features and enhancements.
Because TrueEdit is in development, it has some "quirks" in its
interface and operation. This manual will help you avoid any potential
problems. However, Apple Computer, Inc. can take no responsibility
for damages or business losses resulting from inadequate or incorrect
information provided in this manual, or improper function of TrueEdit.
Who this manual is for
TrueEdit and the TrueEdit User Manual have been designed chiefly for experienced Roman font developers
who want to make TrueType GX fonts. TrueEdit also offers an easy
entry point for new TrueType font developers. Developers creating
TrueType fonts for scripts other than Roman will also find TrueEdit
valuable.
QuickDraw GX brings the benefits of traditional typography and
type design to personal computers. These are beautiful and subtle
arts, and advances in software technology are no substitute for
a thorough understanding of the font development process. Effective
use of TrueEdit, and this manual, will be easiest if you are already
familiar with the goals, the techniques, and some of the history
of traditional typography.
What's in this manual
The TrueEdit User Manual describes how to use TrueEdit to add common QuickDraw GX effects
to a TrueType font. For basic operations, no other manuals are
required.
We've tried to make the TrueEdit User Manual complete and well-organized, in part because TrueEdit is not.
As with any software under development, the risk of crashes and
lost work increases significantly when you step outside the areas
described in the manual.
You should read through the entire manual before you begin developing
your GX font, because poor decisions early on can constrain later
development.
- Chapter I provides background essential for getting the most out
of TrueEdit. If you are already familiar with the `sfnt' format
used for TrueType fonts and the variety of new tables defined
for GX, you may not need to read this chapter.
- Chapter II introduces TrueEdit and describes some common operations.
- Chapters III, IV and V cover the three classes of new functionality
at the heart of GX typography: glyph effects, position effects,
and language and script support. Tutorials are used to introduce
major new operations; variations on the same operation are described
in the reference sections which follow.
- Chapter VI tells how to use TrueEdit to add the finishing touches
to your GX font, and describes some additional non-GX uses for
TrueEdit. Following the main body of the manual are a number of
appendices, including official Apple registry documents and other
reference information.
Examples
Most of the examples in this manual show traditional typographic
effects being added to mainstream Roman fonts. These are only
suggestions: part of the power of QuickDraw GX typography is the
freedom it allows font developers. While you should make your
own decisions on what is right for your font, be aware that some
GX applications may not let users access a full range of unexpected
or unusual effects.
TrueEdit itself does not support all standard GX typographic effects.
If you want to try something significantly different than what
is shown in this manual, a familiarity with technical documentation
on GX typography is essential.
Terminology
This manual uses simplified terminology for some aspects of QuickDraw
GX typography. The GX technical documents use a variety of subtly
different terms with specific meanings. In the context of this
manual, these distinctions are seldom important. But if you do
refer to other documents, be prepared for some differences in
terminology.
To avoid confusion, in this manual the user is always the user of TrueEdit: you, the font developer. The
term end user refers to the person using your completed font with a GX application.
Typography
The TrueEdit User Manual describes sophisticated typographic effects, but it is not an
example of them. There are only a few special typographic cues.
Emphasis is used in the text when an important new term is introduced.
Cautions are marked with a special sign:
![[!]](Warning.gif) This is a warning or caution to the user of TrueEdit.
Also, to help you navigate this document, each page contains one
or more of the following buttons:
Other resources
TrueEdit is not a complete font development tool, and this manual
cannot describe all aspects of QuickDraw GX typography and font
development. This section lists some other resources available
for developers who want to learn more.
If you have specific questions about developing TrueType GX fonts,
contact Apple Developer Support at the AppleLink address:
devsupport@apple.com
Apple tools
There are several third-party tools available for creating a font's
basic outlines, metrics, and instructions.
Tools available from Apple generally support other aspects of
font development. For information on Apple tools, contact Apple
Developer Support.
Mutator
Mutator is the Apple tool for implementing the other major typographic
advance of QuickDraw GX: style variations.
Mutator features a graphical editor for drawing and editing the
necessary TrueType data, as well as extensive screen and printer
proofing.
Font Validator
Font Validator automates the process of basic functional testing
for fonts.
Font Validator checks a font and alerts you to any invalid data
formats, incorrect checksums, nonsensical table entries, and similar
problems. While it can't uncover design flaws in the font, Font
Validator can help you determine whether your font meets certain
technical requirements.
RoyalT
RoyalT is the Apple tool for adding instructions to TrueType fonts.
RoyalT offers a low-level interface to TrueType instructions,
which can sometimes be useful when third-party tools cannot provide
the necessary control.
Documents
If you want to go beyond the TrueEdit features covered in this
manual, you will need some specific technical references, beginning
with the documents listed here.
- The online TrueType Reference Manual.
- Apple Computer, Inc. Guide to Macintosh Software Localization. Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley, 1992.
- Apple Computer, Inc. Inside Macintosh: QuickDraw GX Typography. Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley, 1994.
- Apple Computer, Inc. QuickDraw GX Font Formats. Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley, forthcoming.
- Apple Computer, Inc. The TrueType Font Format Specification, Version 1.0. Cupertino, California: APDA, 1990.
- The Unicode Consortium. The Unicode Standard: Worldwide Character Encoding, Version 1.0 [Volume 1: non-CJK languages; Volume 2: CJK languages]. Reading,
Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley, 1991 and 1992.
The Apple Fonts Group (applefonts@apple.com)
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