Dual Dimension Brackets & TrueType Fonts

[TomU]

A while back I converted everything over to use PTC's new Arial WGL TrueType font.  Some of my users are very unhappy with the change.  They don't like how the TrueType fonts make everything look bold compared to the old line fonts, especially the brackets in dual dimensions.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make the (automatically created) dual dimension brackets not look so bold while still using TrueType fonts?  There are some distinct benefits that come with TrueType fonts and I'd prefer to not lose those just for these brackets.  Thanks.

[TomU]

So I figured out why the brackets look bold.  The font for the brackets is 2.5 times larger and therefore 2.5 times thicker than the characters they're surrounding.

It would be nice if there were actual characters for double height brackets instead of increasing the text height of the single height characters to make them the height of two rows.

[JonasC]

Hey Tom,

as you know, I was also struggling with bold looking fonts (however in a different way).

I was curious what benefits you see, coming with the TrueType fonts.

[TomU]

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@JonasC wrote:

I was curious what benefits you see, coming with the TrueType fonts.

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Sorry for the late reply.  Two benefits - file size and symbols.

1. The file size of a PDF with lots of text is much smaller when TrueType fonts are used vs. when line fonts are used or the fonts are stroked.  This file size impacts both publishing speed and storage space required (in Windchill.)  The file size difference can also be significant enough to allow one file to be email-able and the other not.
2. The new ArialWGL TrueType font includes a bunch of new symbols that are not available when using the old line fonts.

[TomU]

This actually gets worse.  The brackets overlap the GD&T feature control frames too.

Tech support claims this is 'working to spec.' and to create a product idea.  I'm pushing back...

[Dale_Rosema]

That doesn't look like it is working to spec, unless those are Coke bottle "specs".

[TomU]

Remember, 'working to spec.' doesn't mean it works in a way most people would expect it to, rather there is nothing in the spec. that says it shouldn't work this way.  Huge difference!

Since there is nothing in the spec. that says the brackets can't be extra bold and overlap other stuff, it's effectively 'working to spec.'!  Ugh.

[BenLoosli]

Working to whose spec?

If PTC claims it is 'working to spec' ask them for a copy of the spec it is working to!

A PTC internal document, while a spec to PTC, does not make it a universally accepted, standard committee approved by industry spec.

[TomU]

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A PTC internal document, while a spec to PTC, does not make it a universally accepted, standard committee approved by industry spec.

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Yeah, I'm pretty sure they don't work to those...