Fontlab releases BitFonter 3 font editor
updated 10:10 am EDT, Wed June 6, 2007
BitFonter 3 font editor
Fontlab has released BitFonter 3, a major new version of the company's professional bitmap font editor. BitFonter is a tool designed to create and customize bitmap fonts or to turn artwork into full-fledged fonts. Seamlessly integrating with Fontlab's outline font editors (FontLab Studio 5 and TypeTool 3), BitFonter can be used to convert bitmaps into outline fonts or vice versa. BitFonter supports Fontlab's XML-based Photofont technology, which brings full-color bitmap fonts to both print and Web pages. Version 3 boasts a completely redesigned user interface -- with an all-new brushes panel, new tools options panel and new selection modes. It also now offers improved support for glyph outlines and faster and more precise image manipulation filters for blurring, softening, sharpening, embossing, adding noise etc. Bitfonter 3 retails for $500; upgrades for existing users are $100.
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.
Using BitFonter's innovative algorithms for automatic shape detection and background removal, designers 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 also 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.
