Ikarus (typography software)
Ikarus is a type design and production
format for use on computer driven printing, plotting and sign cutting devices.It was licensed by major foundries such as Agfa-Compugraphic, Autologic, Berthold, ITC International Typeface Corporation, Letraset, Linotype, Monotype, Stempel, and others.
Its "IK" format was convertible into diverse vendor representations, including Type3 and Type1 PostScript formats as well as the TrueType format by Apple and Microsoft.
Ikarus uses a spline model of the outline shape of each character within a typeface to give a fully scalable representation. The curve segments are essentially circle arcs, with tangent continuity maintained at joins. It is a very simple format to mark up manually. Being a vector/curve based format, any rendering resolution can be attained (by rasterisation) with equal accuracy from one relatively small set of data. The Ikarus coordinates for a shape all fall on the outline of that shape (as opposed to Bézier curves where 'control' points can be inside or outside the outline).
The functionality of Ikarus can be expanded using plug-ins.
History
Originally invented by URW employee Dr
By the 1980s a huge library of typefaces and logos existed as photographic film and needed to be input into computers for the latest generation of printing and sign-making devices. Unfortunately, normal
The advent of
After
Digitizing
The first stage of digitization of a typeface is to prepare the artwork by marking up. This involves putting tick marks around any curves at approximately 30 degree intervals along with extra tangent points where a curve blends onto a straight line. Some form of accurate
Relationship with DTL FontMaster
The DTL FontMaster core is based on Ikarus. Furthermore, URW is also the exclusive Germany distributor for Dutch Type Library, DTL FontMaster's developer. DTL FontMaster Utilities are also developed by URW with DTL's president and founder Frank Blokland.
See also
References
- ^ "About URW++". Archived from the original on December 8, 2008.
External links
- History and example markup at Typophile
- Dr Karow's Digital Formats for Typefaces is a good introduction to the Ikarus representation, and the challenge of rasterisation in general.
- DTL FontMaster – A high-end font editing software that supports the Ikarus format