Hinting

A smooth outline must eventually be represented on a grid of pixels. At small sizes, that translation can make similar strokes look uneven or disturb shared heights. Hinting supplies information that helps a rendering system fit the design to the grid. Its visible effect depends on the font format, rendering system, and size being tested.

This chapter covers the two principal approaches separately. PostScript hinting describes important alignments and stem dimensions, while TrueType instructions control point relationships and size-specific adjustments. Both involve shared font-level values, glyph-level work, and inspection of rendered results. Automatic processing provides a starting point that you can assess and refine for the intended use.

PostScript Hinting

Define important dimensions and glyph hints for PostScript rendering, then inspect and refine automatic results.

Hinting and the Pixel Grid

Understand pixel rendering and grid fitting, compare hinting models, and plan tests for the intended rendering environment.

Alignment Zones and Standard Stems

Define alignment zones and standard stem widths, including shared family references and related control values.

Glyph-Level PostScript Hints

Create and edit stem and ghost hints, link hints to nodes, and account for components and references.

PostScript Autohinting

Prepare font-level references, run PostScript autohinting, and inspect generated hints and rendered results.

TrueType Instructing

Configure and edit TrueType instructions, with previews that reveal their effects at particular pixel sizes.

The TrueType Hinting Model and Workspace

Distinguish native and visual TrueType instructions and use the dedicated workspace to inspect their effects at different sizes.

TrueType Font-Level Hinting

Configure TrueType zones, stems, pixel-size transitions, and shared rendering parameters across masters.

Visual TrueType Instructions

Apply alignments, links, interpolation, and delta adjustments, then inspect and manage the visual instruction program.

TrueType Autohinting

Generate TrueType instructions, tune autohinting controls, and refine the results across representative glyphs and sizes.