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FontLab: What's this?
Posted by scruggsdesign in
6 Aug 2010 — 9:39am
6 Aug 2010 — 9:39am
So I was selecting some nodes while holding down shift and I accidentally clicked around the baseline while still holding down shift and dragged out what appears to be a second baseline. What could this be used for? When right-clicked, you can access a properties panel that shows "Baseline position." I couldn't find anything in the Manual about it.
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6 Aug 2010 — 12:05pm
Seems like that question came up here a few years ago, but I don't remember what the explanation was. I don't see it when I use FontLab.
The Baseline Properties panel appears because you right-clicked on the baseline. It may not have anything to do with that little symbol.
6 Aug 2010 — 1:02pm
>So I was selecting some nodes while holding down shift and I accidentally clicked around the baseline...
Along with accidental selection of the x origin, something I've never wanted to move in my life, this second baseline happens to me all the time. (if you don't want an extra baseline, you have to put it back at y = zero or else).
To prevent accidental selection of these guides, go to the expanded view of the layers palette and 'lock' "glyph metrics".
Now you have to unlock that any time you want to change the set width of the character, but the guides on the guides layer won't get in the way of your editing on the character layer.
Cheers!
6 Aug 2010 — 1:12pm
Oh, I see now. Guess I've never had that accident. What would be the purpose of a secondary baseline?
6 Aug 2010 — 1:15pm
Thats what I'm wondering… Could it possibly be useful? Oh, FontLab… what a strange beast you are.
6 Aug 2010 — 2:46pm
Isn’t it the visual descender or something? I know it’s related to one of those oddball features nobody uses.
6 Aug 2010 — 6:55pm
Holding down the shift key and dragging the baseline will yield what is shown in the graphic. It can be done twice. These are vertical advance widths for asian scripts that set vertically. Top and bottom side bearings if you will. It is there in the FL manual.
6 Aug 2010 — 10:40pm
Thanks James,
Good to know. Don't think I'll be needing to use that one.