Replace DejaVuSans font by FreeSans font

[Ouaz]

Object: replace the default font (DejaVuSans) in FO

I get used to the new default font size (15pt) implemented by Geoff (finally, it's a good idea), but the DejaVu font is definitely ugly now in big size, mostly because the letter height is too small (letters seems squizzed vertically) and the letter-spacing is too big.

So I searched for another GNU/GPL font, and after many tries in FO with different fonts, I found FreeSans (True Type) font (GNU Freefont) that fits very well with FO UI (more visual impact at first glance, better lettering than DejaVu)

Official site: http://savannah.gnu.org/projects/freefont/
Download: freefont-ttf-20120503.zip (contains FreeSans, FreeSansBold, FreeSansBoldOblique, FreeSansOblique).

Some comparison screenshots:

DejaVuSans (Text: 15pt ; Windows Title: 16pt)
FreeSans (Text: 15 ; Windows Title: 16pt)

Map Window

map_deja.PNG (180.07 KiB) Viewed 1922 times

map_free15.PNG (190.38 KiB) Viewed 1922 times

[Ouaz]

Production Window

prod_deja.png (35.09 KiB) Viewed 1921 times

prod_free15.png (35.47 KiB) Viewed 1921 times

[Ouaz]

Design Window

design_deja.PNG (142.42 KiB) Viewed 1921 times

design_free15.PNG (151.28 KiB) Viewed 1921 times

[Ouaz]

Tech List View

list_deja.PNG (55.31 KiB) Viewed 1921 times

list_free15.PNG (58.4 KiB) Viewed 1921 times

[Ouaz]

Dialog Box example

options_deja.PNG (38.76 KiB) Viewed 1921 times

options_free15.PNG (43.88 KiB) Viewed 1921 times

[Vezzra]

TBH, I don't see that much of a difference, but since I'm kind of graphically impaired (by that I mean I'm exceptionally incompetent when it comes to visual and graphic design;)), that doesn't mean much. I do see a slight improvement, so changing the font is fine with me.

[Sloth]

The font looks smoother, but the letter "l" seems to be positioned too far on the right and touches the next letter which disturbs me a little bit.

[dbenage-cx]

May need to vet for any special symbols needed, catching them in-game may be difficult.

Number of glyphs:

Code: Select all

font     FreeSans     DejaVu
version 4012.2268       2.34
------------------------------
(book)       6272       6108
Bold         2911       6034
Oblique      3036       5335
BoldOblique  2403       5265

[Ouaz]

The font looks smoother, but the letter "l" seems to be positioned too far on the right and touches the next letter which disturbs me a little bit.

Oh yeah, now you noticed it, I only see that and it's pretty disturbing.

On the other hand, it happens also with DejaVu. The letter-spacing is irregular with these fonts, and it is increased visually because of the big size.

design_deja2.png (23.66 KiB) Viewed 1879 times

Well, if there's no major objection to replace the default font in FO, I'll continue to search a better replacement font, then.

May need to vet for any special symbols needed, catching them in-game may be difficult.

Number of glyphs:

Code: Select all

font     FreeSans     DejaVu
version 4012.2268       2.34
------------------------------
(book)       6272       6108
Bold         2911       6034
Oblique      3036       5335
BoldOblique  2403       5265

Interesting. Didn't think about the possible missing glyphs in bold, oblique, etc. Although I think the major ones are there (Greek letters, mathematical symbols).

[dbenage-cx]

I don't find any mention of oblique(or boldoblique) in actual use, can be dropped?

DejaVuSansCondensed solves some of those kerning issues.

[Ouaz]

I don't find any mention of oblique(or boldoblique) in actual use, can be dropped?

It seems so.

DejaVuSansCondensed solves some of those kerning issues.

Nice and definitely better. I am all for it (my only nitpick about this font is the slight blur on the edges). And it seems to be the simplest and safest solution.

In the meantime, I tried another free font: Roboto (Google font, License Apache 2.0) > https://www.typewolf.com/assets/fonts/roboto.zip (Roboto-Regular and Roboto-Bold)
that does well in FO, especially in Pedia and big paragraphs (mainly due to the heavier weight).

I don't know which version it is, there's only 1249 glyphs (european special letters are here, and mathematical symbols),
and it requires to increase text size to 16pt and title size to 17pt.

The version in the Github repo, even if more recent (+3000 glyphs),
is not as good once in FO, compared to the version in the link above.

I made some comparison screenshots:

DejaVuSans (default size)
DejaVuSansCondensed (defaut size)
Roboto (Text: 16pt; Title: 17pt)

map_window.png (97.35 KiB) Viewed 1866 times

sidepanel.png (188.69 KiB) Viewed 1866 times

[Ouaz]

design_window.png (92.77 KiB) Viewed 1866 times

prod_window.png (131.21 KiB) Viewed 1866 times

[Vezzra]

So far I like this Roboto font best.

[Ouaz]

So far I like this Roboto font best.

Me too.

I did some research, and this Roboto font is used as default font on Android system and in Chrome applications. It was freely released under license Apache 2.0 in 2012.

That's why this font looks good on a screen and easy to read. It was designed specifically for it. ^^

Let's wait what Geoff thinks about all of this (he will have the last word anyway )

EDIT: here's the specific version of the Roboto Font that works well in FO

[Geoff the Medio]

Roboto looks good.