Alternative to the previous site licensing method, TrueTypeUG V2.2 can now be licensed on a node locked basis as well. A license file is employed to keep the required information.
In V2.1 occasionally the UG/Open API Execute license was not released back when TrueTypeUG was finished. Also when trying to run TrueTypeUG without an available UG/Open API Execute license, it was not possible to terminate the program by pressing Cancel. These problems have been solved.
Text can be placed now over multiple faces, which allows lettering to be added to even more complex geometry.
Additionally to using TrueType- and native Unigraphics-fonts, characters and symbols can be defined now in Unigraphics parts following some simple guidelines. Such 'Unigraphics part fonts' can be used in a seamless way within TrueTypeUG like any other font type. This enhancement simplifies the definition of customer specific symbols by utilizing the well known design-capabilities of Unigraphics. Also no more extra font-editors are required.
The new 'Select Characters from Map' dialog can assist the user when inputting symbols or characters not accessible from the keyboard. This tool will make available all characters defined in a font to the user and takes out the guesswork when using symbols.
For solid geometry, at character corners, at placement-edges and at top-/bottom-edges blends can be applied by the program.
TrueTypeUG V2.1 supports TrueType-collections (file extension: ttc, TTC). A TrueType-collection is a package of multiple TrueType-fonts within one file. Such collections are available for some asian languages and require less disc space by sharing common characters between different fonts.
Many TrueType-fonts provide an additional internal value for the 'typographic ascender' which seems to match better the everyday understanding of character size than the value used in V2.0.
When the current feature was not the last feature in the modeling history (using the 'Make Current Feature' command), TrueTypeUG V2.0 added wrong features to it's feature group while others were not added. This problem has been solved.
Beside the use of TrueType-fonts, native Unigraphics-fonts (file extension: fnx, FNX) are supported now in a seamless way. This type of stroked vector-fonts is most useful for centerline-engraving. Unigraphics-fonts are eligible for curve-creation modes only (no solids).
TrueTypeUG V2.0 will do an immediate preview when changing parameters and pressing Return or when moving the sliders. Much less key-clicks are required while working more interactive.
For many TrueType-fonts, only one basic style is available. Synthetic emboldening and shearing extends the number of styles for a given font.
When creating solid geometry, the extrusion-direction can be defined now by the user and a taper angle can be applied. The resulting features can be grouped and hided, which avoids cluttering of the UG model-navigation-tool with plenty of entries. Also the parameters of the created features are internally linked by expressions now.
Several TrueType-fonts do not strictly follow the TrueType-specs, others contain real bugs. TrueTypeUG V2.0 employs several techniques to bypass the most common problems.
Last updated: 29-Sep-2004 |