Fonts!

[Ben]

I figured this would be a good place to ask a question which might be a public debate-<P>What's better, to have hand lettering or a computer font?<P>I've often been complimented that I have very good lettering skills. Well I find that this is total baloney when it comes to small writing. Take a look at this image and tell me which one is better:<P> <IMG SRC="http://fishandworm.keenspace.com/images/test.gif"> <P>This is my point... I stink when it comes down to writing small letters.<P>I also find that having a computer font (though that was just an example, not an actual strip change) makes the strips look more professional, much like many web comics out there.<P>But of course, everyone seems to argue that having hand-lettering gives a personal edge to the comic strip, and sometimes leaves open more options.<P>So this is where I'm at- I really need to know whether I should use a computer font to do my lettering or stick with my hand-drawn but often crummy lettering. Comments are appreciated. (That means "Do it or I'll end up living in a dumpster with my pet sock monkey, Bobo.")<P>------------------
Dinosaurs Need Coffee!<P>-Ben
http://www.fishandworm.com

[Screwball McGoo [gDC]]

Hands down, the computer lettering is more legible and allowed you to fit more text in. However, I am also interested in this Font from a Stone notion.<P>------------------
Now with new look logo and navigation buttons:<A HREF="http://nerdz.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank> NERDZ!!!!! </A>I'm really running out of things to say about my comic, huh?

[Scott Gordon]

Have you tried making your own hand drawn font? I think you're hand writing looks good and making it into a font would let you change the size and stop the slight changes from letter to letter.<P>------------------
<A HREF="http://dregs.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>http://dregs.keenspace.com</A>

[Brad J. Guigar]

I'd go with the computer font, but I'd increase the size and leading slightly. The thing that probably gives you pause about the computer font is that it looks like it just doesn't fit. That's because it doesn't.<P>Look closely and you'll see your hand-lettering is bigger than the computer font. Increase your computer font a point size or two and you'll notice less of a disparity.<P>You can also alter the kerning and the horizontal scaling of the font to make it look more like your natural hand.<P>I also like the idea about developing your own font based on your hand-lettering. You could be working on your own font in the meantime while your using the computer font.<P>I also agree with the comment about legibility. If people have to decipher a comic, the comic stops becoming a comic and starts becoming a puzzle. <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/smile.gif"><P>

[Zortic]

Two words... Spell Check.<P>I don't know if that's a concern for you, but I know I'd be dead without it (even with it I've been known to mess up). But that's my biggest reason for using the computer.<P>(*mumbles* "damn message baords don't have spell check")<P>------------------
visit Zortic at: <A HREF="http://Zortic.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>http://Zortic.keenspace.com</A>

[Dan Nicholls]

Yeah, how do you make your own font? That'd be great, although I am pretty happy with "CityBlueprint".<P>------------------
OOO, look a' me <A HREF="http://www.keenspace.com/cgi-bin/ubb/fo ... DaysPrune=" TARGET=_blank>forum</A>! 'Tis there, i 'tis.<P>Bull, the Dragun, says, "Visit this <A HREF="http://gunz.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>comic</A> or I'll fry your potted plants and small furry creatures, human!"

[ZOMBIE USER 197]

Some font creation tools:
<A HREF="http://www.macromedia.com/software/fontographer/" TARGET=_blank>Fontographer</A>
<A HREF="http://members.tripod.com/~apd2/dtp.htm" TARGET=_blank>Type Designer</A>
<A HREF="http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis ... ode=000RLD" TARGET=_blank>Softy</A>
<A HREF="http://www.pyrus.com/" TARGET=_blank>Pyrus</A>
I have reviewed none of these links. I post them as a selfless act of community service. Should you feel inclined to repay me (really, you don't have to) just test a few of them and let me know which you like best... OR read Schlock Mercenary every day.<P>(EDIT) I just found THIS: <A HREF="http://www.astigmatic.com/aoeff/order.html">Astigmatic One Eye (AOE)</A> will create a font from your handwriting for about $50 (scroll to the bottom of their page for this offer). If your time is worth anything to you, this is probably a steal.
------------------
<A HREF="http://www.tayler.com/howard" TARGET=_blank>Howard Tayler </A>
<A HREF="mailto:htayler@myrealbox.com">htayler@myrealbox.com</A>
<A HREF="http://www.schlockmercenary.com" TARGET=_blank>Schlock Mercenary</A>
( <A HREF="http://www.schlockmercenary.com" TARGET=_blank>http://www.schlockmercenary.com</A> )
<p>[This message has been edited by Howard (edited 08-29-2000).]

[ZOMBIE USER 197]

I prioritize as follows:
1) Legibility, as per SSJKulilin.
2) Look-and-feel: If what you are doing for text doesn't fit the art, then the strip as a whole will suffer.
3) Productivity: I tried hand-lettering, and found that I could make it legible, and it gave the strip a very personal touch, but it took me an extra 20 minutes (my strip is text-heavy) and at the end of the lettering session my hand hurt.<P>For me, the Comic Sans MS font is the way to go. After I've been online for a year, I plan to do some redesign, and may craft my own font as part of that project. For now, I'm happy with the font rut I'm in.<P>BTW, I put the text down FIRST, which seems to be bass-ackwards compared to what most everyone else does. See <A HREF="http://www.schlockmercenary.com/schlockprocess.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.schlockmercenary.com/schlockprocess.html</A> for more details. If you care <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/wink.gif">.<P>------------------
<A HREF="http://www.tayler.com/howard" TARGET=_blank>Howard Tayler </A>
<A HREF="mailto:htayler@myrealbox.com">htayler@myrealbox.com</A>
<A HREF="http://www.schlockmercenary.com" TARGET=_blank>Schlock Mercenary</A>
( <A HREF="http://www.schlockmercenary.com" TARGET=_blank>http://www.schlockmercenary.com</A> )

[Ben]

Thanks for all your help...<P>The only thing is, I have absolutely no idea what program to use to create my own font. Where can I go to get such a program?<P>------------------
Dinosaurs Need Coffee!<P>-Ben
http://www.fishandworm.com

[SSJKulilin]

it's all about legibility... and if anyone tells you your strip lacks a "personal edge" ..tell them to get bent
_______________________________________ <A HREF="http://deadseasquirrels.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>http://deadseasquirrels.keenspace.com</A>

[Jillian Poisson]

I use computer font cuz my hand writing totally blows. It probably doesn't help I'm left handed to. That fontgrapher seems like a great idea, but it's some thing that won't work fer me.<P>------------------
Jill Poisson<P><A HREF="http://wordsofwizdum.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>Words of Wizdum~ The Steps Program For Morons.</A><P><A HREF="http://shallowend.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>Shallow End~ Hey, you get outta the gene pool~Coming Soon</A><P><A HREF="http://bloodmoon.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>Blood Moon~ There's a bad moon on the raise.~Coming Soon</A>

[Scott Gordon]

I've seen some Macromedia fontographer that looks nice<P>And I would change hand writing into a font for $25. With the shit exchange rate it's $50 here anyway.<P>------------------
<A HREF="http://dregs.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>http://dregs.keenspace.com</A> <p>[This message has been edited by Scott Gordon (edited 08-30-2000).]

[SaraRachelle]

Check out Nate's site <A HREF="http://www.piekosarts.com/blambotfonts" TARGET=_blank>http://www.piekosarts.com/blambotfonts</A>
for a bunch of really good quality - FREE - comic fonts. Maybe you'll find a different comic font to be more to your liking <P>------------------
SaraRachelle
webmaster@FontParty.com
http://www.FontParty.com

[ZOMBIE USER 197]

I checked out Nate's site and LOVED it. The fonts are great, and are much, MUCH less generic than the Comic Sans MS I'm currently using. I downloaded all of the free ones, evaluated them in my strips, and will begin using several of them on October 8th (that's how far ahead I am, and no, I'm not going back and retrofitting...)<P>I'm not a fraction of the comic artist Nate is... check out his site, and his Blambot comic. SaraRachelle posted the link right up above me. <P>------------------
<A HREF="http://www.tayler.com/howard" TARGET=_blank>Howard Tayler </A>
<A HREF="mailto:htayler@myrealbox.com">htayler@myrealbox.com</A>
<A HREF="http://www.schlockmercenary.com" TARGET=_blank>Schlock Mercenary</A>
( <A HREF="http://www.schlockmercenary.com" TARGET=_blank>http://www.schlockmercenary.com</A> )

[Screwball McGoo [gDC]]

I don't understand the intrinsics behind a comic font though. Aren't they just really goofyround letters? In such a case doesn't that make everything look a little goofy to the mind's eye?<P>
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SaraRachelle:
<B>Check out Nate's site <A HREF="http://www.piekosarts.com/blambotfonts" TARGET=_blank>http://www.piekosarts.com/blambotfonts</A>
for a bunch of really good quality - FREE - comic fonts. Maybe you'll find a different comic font to be more to your liking <P></B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P><P>------------------
Now with new look logo and navigation buttons:<A HREF="http://nerdz.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank> NERDZ!!!!! </A>I'm really running out of things to say about my comic, huh?

[Ben]

Hooray!
My comic looks great! I've uploaded the first 2 weeks of rescanned comics as a preview to the new style... take a look at one!
<IMG SRC="http://fishandworm.keenspace.com/comics/20000723.gif"> <P>------------------
Dinosaurs Need Coffee!<P>-Ben
http://www.fishandworm.com

[Matt Wilson]

I've used Blambot Standard for the past 8 months.. it's a great font. Only problem is that it doesn't compress very well. I'm switching over to something less indie..I'm experimenting with ACME Explosive. It's a pretty cool font, except there's no stressed set, so you have to italicize the words manually. <IMG SRC="http://www.keenspace.com/forums/frown.gif">