Making fonts with Xara X, update

[gnurf]

OK, so I tried making some fonts in Xara (with some help from CorelDraw and Fontographer).
I did a bunch of layers, a layer for each character. Then I exported the file as a cmx-file, and imported it in Coreldraw. The good thing is that the layers are intact so I just activate a layer at the time and export each character to a font file.
Since Coreldraw cannot handle kerning very well I opened the font file in Fontographer, where I also easily made an italic version and a bold one (actually bold-italic). You can see some examples below (the cartoons are inked by hand, the text/font is my first draft of my gnurf cartoon font).

-Paul

[gnurf]

OK, so I tried making some fonts in Xara (with some help from CorelDraw and Fontographer).
I did a bunch of layers, a layer for each character. Then I exported the file as a cmx-file, and imported it in Coreldraw. The good thing is that the layers are intact so I just activate a layer at the time and export each character to a font file.
Since Coreldraw cannot handle kerning very well I opened the font file in Fontographer, where I also easily made an italic version and a bold one (actually bold-italic). You can see some examples below (the cartoons are inked by hand, the text/font is my first draft of my gnurf cartoon font).

-Paul

[gnurf]

Someone may ask why going through the trouble making your own handlettered font when there are so many good comics fonts already (ie at blambot.com). Well, first of all, this one is mine http://www.talkgraphics.com/images/smilies/smile.gif But the main problem is that most of those excellent fonts I like lack special character like the scandinavian ones. Most of my comics are published in Swedish so I really need my "umlauts"

-Paul

[Marius]

Paul, you are really good . . . every time I see your stuff I am awed!

[Sheff]

Since Xara is so good at vectors, I would like to see this feature added.

However, I don't know if it's really necessary for the next release. This might be better served as a plug-in.

I would want this feature, but I suspect many others might not. And because of that it might not be something many folks are willing to pay for and consequently not add much value.

But it is something I really like. It's definitely something I would use. Much more practical than screensavers.

Sheffield Abella
www.sheff.com

[wW]

Xara should leave the program open for plugins. This way Xara users will get what they want & need from time to time. Open architecture seems like the way to go. Don't know the con's of such a setup in Xara though.

My question regarding open architecture? Is the code unlocked or opened up in some way so it would be vulnerable to theft or hack? I don't understand what's involved so I can't really speak with any authority concerning this issue. Seems like it would be a nice addition though.

Ww

[FAx]

Make open architecture for plugins not easy task. XaraX can`t be sure in plugin correct funcionality. Bugs in plugin can affect to XaraX stability. User did`t see where bug (XaraX bug or plugin bug) - that bug. As i think, Xara not make plugin support on this reason.

BTW, Xara Ltd can try make plugin support like Apache open architecture. It stable with many extremal situation. As im know, Apache modules use special memory range (provided by Apache) and can`t operate with memory on low level. After work, module pushed out from memory. Read Apache SDK doc for full information.

So!, FAx
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