BitFonter 3
professional bitmap font editor
Fontlab Ltd. has released BitFonter 3 for Mac OS X and Windows, a major new version of the company's professional bitmap font editor.BitFonter is a tool for creative professionals who wish to create and customize bitmap fonts or to turn artwork into full-fledged fonts. Since it seamlessly integrates with Fontlab's outline font editors (FontLab Studio 5 and TypeTool 3), BitFonter can also be used to convert bitmaps into outline fonts or vice versa.
In the words of Fontlab Ltd.'s president Ted Harrison: "Most desktop operating systems (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux) use outline fonts in Type 1, TrueType and OpenType formats. Outline fonts can be scaled to any size but in very small sizes and low resolutions, they may not be very legible. In bitmap fonts, the designer can control the precise positioning of each pixel, which is why bitmap fonts are popular on low-resolution devices such as portable communication devices, PDAs, mobile phones, LED displays, printers, ticketing machines etc. Also, while outline fonts are limited to monochrome letterforms, bitmap fonts can use the full color palette and transparency. That is why bitmap fonts are widely used in computer games as well as in TV, film and motion graphics applications."
BitFonter supports the XML-based font technology developed by Fontlab Ltd. that brings the beauty of full-color bitmap fonts to both print and web pages. On the other hand, BitFonter also allows designers to create razor-sharp fonts that improve screen text legibility in small font sizes. BitFonter supports a wide range of universal as well as vendor-specific bitmap font formats from Adobe, Apple, IBM, Microsoft, Palm and Unix.
With the help of BitFonter's innovative algorithms for automatic shape detection and background removal, users can quickly convert scanned lettering or digital photos (as EPS, JPG, PNG or GIF) into bitmap fonts. When used together with FontLab Studio, AsiaFont Studio or TypeTool, BitFonter can turn any bitmap font into PostScript, TrueType or OpenType outline fonts.
"With BitFonter, font users can remix, 'scratch' and customize their existing PostScript or OpenType fonts using bitmap operations such as blurring, softening, sharpening, embossing, adding noise or texture. Those new fonts can be used in any applications on the same workstations that the original font was licensed to--provided that the original font's license agreement permits modifications. This allows users to explore their creativity and extend their personal font libraries," said Adam Twardoch, Fontlab Ltd.'s product and marketing manager.
BitFonter 3 is the first version that is available for both Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. BitFonter 3 boasts a completely redesigned user interface: with the all-new brushes panel, the tools options panel and the new selection modes, users familiar with Adobe Photoshop and similar image-editing applications will feel at home instantly, while the font window, the metrics window and the font info dialog were redesigned with FontLab Studio and TypeTool users in mind. BitFonter can create and edit multilingual and Asian fonts with thousands of glyphs.
Bitfonter 3 retails at US$499.00, upgrades for existing Bitfonter users are US$99. For more information, a free demo version for Mac and Windows, as well as purchase and upgrade options, visit the Bitfonter 3 page at www.fontlab.com/font-editor/bitfonter/
Fontlab Ltd. has stayed at the forefront of digital font management by remaining devoted to developing font editors and typography products. Their full line of products is dedicated to solving the most complex typography issues. These products include: AsiaFont Studio, BitFonter, FogLamp, FontLab Studio , Fontographer, ScanFont, TypeTool, TransType, FontFlasher, FONmaker, SigMaker and CompoCompiler. More information on all Fontlab products can be seen at http://www.fontlab.com/
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