Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uflorida!rex!samsung!aplcen!jhunix!esp_05
From: esp_05@jhunix.HCF.JHU.EDU (Stdnt 05)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: (none) GDOS & Outline Fonts
Keywords: GDOS, Outline Fonts
Message-ID: <3287@jhunix.HCF.JHU.EDU>
Date: 13 Nov 89 16:02:26 GMT
References: <8910200705.AA29700@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU> <1379@sdcc13.ucsd.edu> <18593@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU>
Reply-To: esp_05@jhunix.UUCP (Stdnt 05)
Organization: The Johns Hopkins University - HCF
Lines: 28

Just some thoughts to add to the other thoughts about an outline GDOS:

1) Just now completing a course in computer graphics, I don't see how
anyone could call outline fonts difficult to implement.  Using
scanline fill algorithms coupled with Bresenham's line and circle
(ellipse) algorithms, not only would it be fairly easy to design a
system that scales, but rotations would be just as easy.  As for
speed, well, couldn't be slower than the present incarnation of GDOS,
no?

2) Regarding the point size inquire used by current GDOS programs, one
could implement a program like Apples Font/DA Mover to load and unload
fonts, AND specify what point sizes the GDOS inquire function should
return.

3) Isn't there an info file about GDOS somewhere?  I really know
nothing about the present GDOS, except that Degas Elite seems to ahve
a copy of it on the disk but also seems to run fine without it.

I'd be interested in collaborating with someone interested in making
an outline font system.  I've been toying with the idea of re-creating
MacDraw II for the Atari with a few enhancements, one of them being
outline fonts.  Of course, this semester I overloaded my class
schedule and have only used my computer for word processing and CS
assignments.

Eric Ruck
(Send mail to: RICK AT JHUVM)