Seeking typography feedback -- Small-caps alternative - Page 2

roger64 · 01-07-2016, 07:10 AM

I'd go for an embedded font like Linux Libertine Capitals

GrannyGrump · 01-07-2016, 07:13 AM

@Jellby, I think that was why I was leaning toward the monospace --- it is more obviously different. I've done some quick browsing for decorative fonts, but all the ones I like are too lightweight for e-ink.

@JSWolf, I remember you talked about using Font Forge to increase font weight, but when I try (using Windows 8), it either gives me error message for every single glyph, or it crashes. After about six attempts, I gave up.

JSWolf · 01-07-2016, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrannyGrump

@JSWolf, I remember you talked about using Font Forge to increase font weight, but when I try (using Windows 8), it either gives me error message for every single glyph, or it crashes. After about six attempts, I gave up.

What version Font Forge are you trying to use? Some are very unstable under Windows. I have a weight increased Fontin Sans that would look different enough to work. Want to try it?

Hitch · 01-08-2016, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrannyGrump

I am working on some humor collections that include some parody "screenplays". In the printed books, these use lots of small-caps.
<snip>
In situations like this, I should probably ask myself, "What would Hitch do?" The answer floats back on the echoes, "Hitch wouldn't let herself get involved with such a diabolical choice..."
.

First, GrannyGrump, I want you to know that you gave me a fit of giggles, on an otherwise dreary, dreary day. Mr. Hitch promptly espoused (when I read this to him, natch) that "there will be no living with her now."

Anyway: strewth, I wish I could say that I'd stay out of that type of situation. We've done at least 4-5 books just like that, with large swaths of text in a smallcap-based font. Just so you don't have any illusions of my genius.

Now, in the great minds category, I have to admit, I've made good use of the Alegreya font. I think it looks fine on eInk. Wolfie, mon sweet, what eInks are you talking about? Amazon, or...?

I'm away from the office computer (my brains) at the moment. I'll look in the morning, for some of the fonts we favor for this type of work. We have a huge collection of fonts. Virtually all are OS.

Hitch

GrannyGrump · 01-08-2016, 04:25 AM

@JSWolf --- It has been a while since I fired it up, but I was using v 2.2.0 (from 2013), both the installed and the portable versions. I guess I should try a newer version and see if that is more successful.

I would love to try your heavier version of Fontin font. I use Fontin a lot, but the small-caps face is just a tad bit too thin in small font-sizes, and some of the glyphs tend to distort below 1em size (upper-case T and E especially).

-------

@Hitch --- I would dearly love any suggestions for good fonts. I have a fairly sizeable collection, but at least 75% of the "decorative" ones are unusable for ebooks --- too thin / light / overly ornate / extremely high line height .... and most problematic , not re-distributable. Well, you know how all that goes.

doubleshuffle · 01-08-2016, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrannyGrump

@Hitch --- I would dearly love any suggestions for good fonts. I have a fairly sizeable collection, but at least 75% of the "decorative" ones are unusable for ebooks --- too thin / light / overly ornate / extremely high line height .... and most problematic , not re-distributable. Well, you know how all that goes.

+1.

Jellby · 01-08-2016, 05:05 AM

Maybe "Rita Smith"? "Frontenac" (it has small-caps)? "Kingsbridge"?

Hitch · 01-08-2016, 06:08 AM

I shall come thither and post some fonts we've had decent luck with. We're having some massive bloody email issue at the office (dammit, if it's not one *&^%$#@! thing, it's another...) so if you don't see me in the "morning," (it's 3:02 a.m. when I write this), you'll see them soon. Apologies for the delay, but somehow, I think the bloody Russians have hacked my email again. URGHGHGHG! What a PITA to fix...

Hitch

GrannyGrump · 01-08-2016, 02:26 PM

Well, I had some time to kill, and fiddled around, and tried this --- light borders on the captions.

the first segment is decorative font (Gabriela), second is small-caps (Alegreya), third is a monospace (Anonymous Pro). I think the Alegreya looks just a little too light, bold is much too heavy, wish they had a demi-bold.

Thoughts?

GrannyGrump · 01-08-2016, 02:39 PM

@Jellby -- thank you for the links --- I really like the RitaSmith, very curvy.

Toxaris · 01-08-2016, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrannyGrump

Well, I had some time to kill, and fiddled around, and tried this --- light borders on the captions.

the first segment is decorative font (Gabriela), second is small-caps (Alegreya), third is a monospace (Anonymous Pro). I think the Alegreya looks just a little too light, bold is much too heavy, wish they had a demi-bold.

Thoughts?

Really? I think the Alegreya looks fine, at least on the screen. I would be curious how it shows on an e-ink screen though.

pdurrant · 01-08-2016, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toxaris

Really? I think the Alegreya looks fine, at least on the screen.

Looks good to me too. Certainly the best o those three.

Hitch · 01-08-2016, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

Looks good to me too. Certainly the best o those three.

Yes. As I mentioned, I use it fairly often.

Hitch

JSWolf · 01-08-2016, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrannyGrump

@JSWolf --- It has been a while since I fired it up, but I was using v 2.2.0 (from 2013), both the installed and the portable versions. I guess I should try a newer version and see if that is more successful.

I would love to try your heavier version of Fontin font. I use Fontin a lot, but the small-caps face is just a tad bit too thin in small font-sizes, and some of the glyphs tend to distort below 1em size (upper-case T and E especially).

I do recall that some Windows version Fontforge was rather unstable and crashed easily. I think the current Windows version does work better.

I'll fix up Fontin Sans for you and get you a link to download it. I'll have to redo it because I didn't do the small-caps and I want the same settings for both. It won't take long. Should be done sometime Sunday.

JSWolf · 01-08-2016, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrannyGrump

Well, I had some time to kill, and fiddled around, and tried this --- light borders on the captions.

the first segment is decorative font (Gabriela), second is small-caps (Alegreya), third is a monospace (Anonymous Pro). I think the Alegreya looks just a little too light, bold is much too heavy, wish they had a demi-bold.

Thoughts?

I do think Alegreya will be too light for eInk. This is based on seeing the screen grab. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.

01-08-2016, 02:26 PM	#24
GrannyGrump Obsessively Dedicated... Posts: 3,245 Karma: 35164265 Join Date: May 2011 Location: PA {back in the usa!} Device: Sony PRS-T2, ADE on PC	Well, I had some time to kill, and fiddled around, and tried this --- light borders on the captions. the first segment is decorative font (Gabriela), second is small-caps (Alegreya), third is a monospace (Anonymous Pro). I think the Alegreya looks just a little too light, bold is much too heavy, wish they had a demi-bold. Thoughts? Attached Thumbnails

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01-07-2016, 07:10 AM	#16
roger64 Wizard Posts: 2,625 Karma: 3120635 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Kindle PW3 (wifi)	I'd go for an embedded font like Linux Libertine Capitals

01-07-2016, 07:13 AM	#17
GrannyGrump Obsessively Dedicated... Posts: 3,245 Karma: 35164265 Join Date: May 2011 Location: PA {back in the usa!} Device: Sony PRS-T2, ADE on PC	@Jellby, I think that was why I was leaning toward the monospace --- it is more obviously different. I've done some quick browsing for decorative fonts, but all the ones I like are too lightweight for e-ink. @JSWolf, I remember you talked about using Font Forge to increase font weight, but when I try (using Windows 8), it either gives me error message for every single glyph, or it crashes. After about six attempts, I gave up.

01-08-2016, 04:25 AM	#20
GrannyGrump Obsessively Dedicated... Posts: 3,245 Karma: 35164265 Join Date: May 2011 Location: PA {back in the usa!} Device: Sony PRS-T2, ADE on PC	@JSWolf --- It has been a while since I fired it up, but I was using v 2.2.0 (from 2013), both the installed and the portable versions. I guess I should try a newer version and see if that is more successful. I would love to try your heavier version of Fontin font. I use Fontin a lot, but the small-caps face is just a tad bit too thin in small font-sizes, and some of the glyphs tend to distort below 1em size (upper-case T and E especially). ------- @Hitch --- I would dearly love any suggestions for good fonts. I have a fairly sizeable collection, but at least 75% of the "decorative" ones are unusable for ebooks --- too thin / light / overly ornate / extremely high line height .... and most problematic , not re-distributable. Well, you know how all that goes.

01-08-2016, 05:05 AM	#22
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,570 Karma: 20150435 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	Maybe "Rita Smith"? "Frontenac" (it has small-caps)? "Kingsbridge"?

01-08-2016, 06:08 AM	#23
Hitch Bookmaker & Cat Slave Posts: 11,503 Karma: 158448243 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ Device: K2, iPad, KFire, PPW, Voyage, NookColor. 2 Droid, Oasis, Boox Note2	I shall come thither and post some fonts we've had decent luck with. We're having some massive bloody email issue at the office (dammit, if it's not one *&^%$#@! thing, it's another...) so if you don't see me in the "morning," (it's 3:02 a.m. when I write this), you'll see them soon. Apologies for the delay, but somehow, I think the bloody Russians have hacked my email again. URGHGHGHG! What a PITA to fix... Hitch

01-08-2016, 02:39 PM	#25
GrannyGrump Obsessively Dedicated... Posts: 3,245 Karma: 35164265 Join Date: May 2011 Location: PA {back in the usa!} Device: Sony PRS-T2, ADE on PC	@Jellby -- thank you for the links --- I really like the RitaSmith, very curvy.