====== How to Create a Custom Font with FONText free version (Short Guide)  ======

**NOTE**: You can only use this program to create fonts for __**latin** languages__.

First of all you can download the Free version of this program here: http://www.zen28085.zen.co.uk/playerfactory/fontext/

* To begin, you have to open the program (**ftfree.exe**)

* Push the **FONT** __button__ and choose your font type, size...

* Now you click on **CHARACTERS** and there you have to mark __only__ the box with the **FULL** text label

* Now we go back to **FONT** (not the button) and in the **BLOCK SIZE** combo box, you have choose **16x16** (better for __static__ controls), or **32x32** (better for __normal fonts__).

* You can also choose your font color (next to the **B** for bold, I for italic...)

* __**IMPORTANT**__: you have to **align** the characters to the left (a button next to the **U** of underline)

* Now we go to **BACKGROUND**, and there I recommend to choose (**512x512**) for __normal fonts__ (talk...) and (**256x256**) for __static fonts__ (those with a **16x16** block size). Also, the **BACKGROUND COLOUR** must be **BLACK** (I recommend this too)

* Finally you can choose other aspects like the **OUTLINE**, etc...

* To save your bitmap, in the **FILE** menu, choose **SAVE BITMAP**

===== SOME EXAMPLES ONCE YOU HAVE YOUR BMP FILE =====

* For a normal font (talk...)
<code script>FONT
{
  IMAGE = "fonts\myfont1.bmp"
  TRANSPARENT = 0,0,0 <-- This is the BACKGROUND COLOUR (BLACK)
  COLUMNS = 16 <-- 512x512 / 32x32 = 16
  TILE_WIDTH = 32     <-- 32
  TILE_HEIGHT = 32    <-- x32
  AUTO_WIDTH = TRUE<-- Always TRUE
  FONTEXT_FIX = FALSE<-- Always FALSE
  EXPAND_WIDTH = 0<-- More or less an increase of the distance between each letter
 
}</code>

* For a static control font
<code script>FONT
{
  IMAGE = "fonts\myfont2.bmp"
  TRANSPARENT = 0,0,0 <-- This is the BACKGROUND COLOUR (BLACK)
  COLUMNS = 16<-- 256x256 / 16x16 = 16
  TILE_WIDTH = 16 <-- 16
  TILE_HEIGHT = 16 <-- x16
  AUTO_WIDTH = TRUE <-- Always TRUE
  FONTEXT_FIX = FALSE <-- Always FALSE
  EXPAND_WIDTH = 1 <-- More or less an increase of the distance between each letter
}</code>

I hope this helps you a bit ;-)

Manuel Martos (MMR) 2004–2005