One Approach to Computer Assisted Letter Design

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Published: 1968-10-01

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H. W. Mergler
P. M. Vargo

Abstract

ITSYLF is an interactive synthesizer of letterforms, which can be used in the design and study of alphabets. It is a computer assisted, operator oriented programming system which allows a typographic designer to enter numeric va lues through a keyboard and manipulate the characteristics of the leuerforms quickly and easily. The alphabet was divided into classes, based on geometric properties of the letters. A set of parameters was derived that allows the construction and manipulation of the letter shapes based on mathematical models of the letters. A set of programs was genera ted that produces a drawing of the letter which corresponds to the current pa rameter values. Examples of the effects on the letter shapes of various sets of parameter values are presented forE, A, D, Cas well as examples of computer generated serifs and three sets of consistent letterforms that could be used as the basis for several new alphabets.

Article Details

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 4 (1968): Volume 2.4

Section

Research Article

Author Biographies

H. W. Mergler

H. W. Mergler is professor of engineering and information science and director of the Digital Systems Laboratory at Case Western Reserve University (University Circle, Cleveland, Ohio 44106). His teaching and research activities are in the areas of technology of computers, controls, and information sciences. Dr. Mergler has lectured and published numerous articles on his research.

P. M. Vargo

HP. M. Vargo is assistant professor of electrical engineering at the University of Oklahoma (Norman, Oklahoma). He was previously a member of the Digital Systems Laboratory, Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Vargo is interested in man-machine computer systems, the uses of computers in printing, and in graphic displays.

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