Character Generation

You know that graphics displays often contain components which are text based.  For example graph labels, annotations, descriptions on data flow diagrams, fill patterns containing text strings and information for simulation and visualization applications.  Routines for generating character are available in most of the graphics systems and graphics application softwares.  Here you will learn some simple techniques used in creating texts. 

 There are two main approaches followed in character or font generation (i) Bitmap font method (ii) Outline font method. In the bitmap method, a matrix of bits is formed which approximates the shape of the font.  Every entry in the matrix corresponds to a pixel and those pixels are plotted for which the matrix entry is 1.  

 In the outline method the font boundary shape is approximated by spline curves.  You have already done some practice on character generation using multiple Bezier curve segments.