Vector fonts - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: pidcon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2020, 12:14:44 pm
content: Hi. Does anyone know if it is possible to change the default PCB layout font to something similar to the vector font found in Protel/Altium? I have always preferred the vector font to the sans serif font on PCBs.

author: delfinom
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2020, 12:26:18 pm
content: Quote from: pidcon on July 24, 2020, 12:14:44 pmFonts are a nightmare to deal with both to render and later plot to gerbers so there is currently only a single font in KiCad.

author: pidcon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2020, 12:20:13 am
content: Quote from: delfinom on July 24, 2020, 12:26:18 pmI would have thought the angular form of the vector fonts make it easier to render than sans serif fonts.

author: rockola
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 13, 2021, 07:06:40 pm
content: Quote from: pidcon on July 25, 2020, 12:20:13 amDo you mean "serif fonts" when you say "vector fonts"? Because the sans serif font used by KiCAD is a vector font. It's not an outline font though.Quote from: delfinom on July 24, 2020, 12:26:18 pmTrueType/OpenType fonts can be rendered to Gerbers by triangulating the outlines. I'm working on adding outline font support to KiCAD. In the example below, "Chapuza" is in everybody's favorite font, Comic Sans.

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2021, 10:34:09 pm
content: Vector fonts have been necessary because it was the only way to have a guaranteed outcome in Eagle without designing your board for a specific fab. I think others have suffered from this too.Adding support for rendering in the gerbers is fantastic! One of those "why didn't anyone think of that sooner?" things. Kicad 6? Please please please! Though, kicking and screaming before I use Comic Sans.

author: rockola
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 14, 2021, 07:25:46 am
content: Quote from: phil from seattle on February 13, 2021, 10:34:09 pmSorry to disappoint you, but TTF/OTF fonts won't make it to KiCad 6. It's not just about Gerbers, my understanding is they will have to be supported everywhere within KiCad before the patch is even considered for merging.

author: MitjaN
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2021, 10:50:11 am
content: While I've never had a requirement for custom fonts in layout, anyone requiring it should look intohttps://forum.kicad.info/t/font-resources/23276. It might solve your needs.

author: rockola
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 24, 2021, 02:17:15 pm
content: Quote from: rockola on February 13, 2021, 07:06:40 pmAnd here is the same board come flesh. Comic Sans FTW.

author: liteyear
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2023, 05:39:45 am
content: Now changing fonts is easy in KiCad, I have the same question - is it possible to get/use Altium's "Default" font. It's the simple vector font that gets used for a lot of PCB text, with no other name than "Default".A font only a mother could love...

author: rockola
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 28, 2023, 06:36:58 am
content: Ignoring possible license issues, if you can get hold of that font in a standard format (ie. TTF/OTF) it's as easy as installing the font like any other font on your platform. If not, don't get your hopes up; it would involve format conversion and source code hacking at a minimum.

author: Warhawk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2023, 09:35:42 am
content: Quote from: liteyear on April 28, 2023, 05:39:45 amHello my son..I love the look and feel of KiCad fonts in SCM and PCBs. Times new Roman or Arial in Altium drives me crazy (I use it professionally).

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2023, 06:53:02 pm
content: Quote from: liteyear on April 28, 2023, 05:39:45 amWith v7, you now have millions of fonts you can choose from. There should be something you like.As rockola said, I would suspect licensing issues if you want the exact Altium font.But I'm glad custom font support has finally been added.

author: liteyear
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2023, 01:58:45 am
content: Quote from: rockola on April 28, 2023, 06:36:58 amYep, that was my thinking. I think you've stated it clearer than I managed ;-)Quote from: Warhawk on April 28, 2023, 09:35:42 amOh yeah, I don't mind the KiCad font - it rides that fine line between manufacturable and pleasant well. It's the Altium "Default" font that leans a little to the ruthlessly robotic side to my taste. But it certainly is distinct!QuotePersonal preference happens to not be relevant in this case. I was just trying to mimic an existing design. I actually ended up deciding KiCad's default font was close enough! It has that same thin stroke, wide curvature clarity of the Altium Default, so I reckon I can get away with actual arcs, and the occasional asymmetric glyph ;-)Out of interest, I've attached the equivalent screenshot in KiCad so you can compare.Quote from: SiliconWizard on April 28, 2023, 06:53:02 pmAmen. How good is it? Like it always belonged...