Small TrueType Fonts

Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
Article ID: Q82439

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

At small point sizes, TrueType fonts look like simple Serif or Sans Serif fonts on the screen but print as you would expect. This is due to automatic bitmap font substitution, which is done to preserve readability at small sizes when fonts are displayed on the screen.

MORE INFORMATION

At very small point sizes (4 to 7 points on standard VGA video resolutions), most Type 2 fonts are substituted with a hand-tuned bitmap font to preserve readability. This can cause the style of the font to change. For example, the Lucida Blackletter font shipped with the FontPack appears as a simple Serif font at sizes 4 - 7 pts rather than the Gothic appearance is has at larger sizes. When the document containing the font is printed, however, the font appears correct even at very small sizes.

REFERENCES

Microsoft Programming Guide for Windows 3.1, page 393

KBCategory: kbprint kbdisplay
KBSubcategory: win31
Additional reference words: 3.10 style FontPack true type 3.11

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Last reviewed: November 21, 1994
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