The METAFONTbook

A Complete User's Guide to Typeface Design with METAFONT

METAFONT, created by author Donald E. Knuth, is a computer language that allows you to produce professional quality typefaces using mathematical type design. The METAFONTbook, a user's guide and reference manual, enables readers with only minimal computer science or word processing experience to master the basic as well as the more advanced areas of METAFONT programming.

Readers will learn how to write a program for each letter or symbol of a typeface. Using METAFONT, it is possible to customize a type design that already exists, or even to create an entire alphabet from scratch. It is particularly easy to create logos or special symbols. Advanced users will enjoy the freedom and artistry that METAFONT allows in creating original typefaces.

Highlights

• Introduces concepts informally early in the text; in later chapters, these concepts are filled in with more detailed explanations.
• Program exercises are found throughout the text with answers in an appendix.
• Exercises and concepts of greater difficulties are marked with margin symbols. In this way, both beginning and experienced users of METAFONT can benefit.
• The book is a companion text to Knuth's The T_EXbook, since T_EX can be used to typeset with fonts created using METAFONT.

Knuth's familiar wit, and illustrations specially drawn by Duane Bibby, add a light touch to an unusually readable software manual.

1. The Name of the Game
2. Coordinates
3. Curves
4. Pens
5. Running METAFONT
6. How METAFONT Reads What You Type
7. Variables
8. Algebraic Expressions
9. Equations
10. Assignments
11. Magnification and Resolution
12. Boxes
13. Drawing, Filling, and Erasing
14. Paths
15. Transformations
16. Calligraphic Effects
17. Grouping
18. Definitions (also called Macros)
19. Conditions and Loops
20. More about Macros
21. Random Numbers
22. Strings
23. Online Displays
24. Discreteness and Discretion
25. Summary of Expressions
26. Summmary of the Language
27. Recovering from Errors
• Appendices
1. Answers to All the Exercises
2. Basic Operations
3. Character Codes
4. Dirty Tricks
5. Examples
6. Font Metric Information
7. Generic Font Files
8. Hardcopy Proofs
9. Index
10. Joining the T_EX Community

The user guide to the MetaFont program. Try it, you'll like it.

Be warned though, it is really not for novice users, rather for novice B.Sc. students.