The Acorn font system stores the definition of its characters as a sequence of coordinates
linked by straight lines and curves, i.e. an outline. The Draw application uses the same
method of storing a drawing, so it is a relatively simple process to convert the definition
of a character from an outline font into a 'path' (a sequence of lines and curves) compatible
with Draw. Once these 'paths' are packaged into a file, the file can be saved, or transferred
directly into another application. During the conversion process, the 'paths' can be
transformed, that is, rotated, scaled, duplicated (shadowed) or otherwise distorted, and the
fill and outline colours selected. FontFX therefore provides a simple way of creating eye-catching
and colourful textual graphics for use in magazines, newsletters, presentation slides,
letter headings, posters and catalogues - in fact, almost any type of printed or
computer-displayed material. The author's primary aim has been to make the program as easy
as possible to use, with all the facilities visible at a glance, and the process of creating
the final product can be a simple as one click on an icon.
Rainbow effect fills each character with a different colour - the sequence is up to you
Border effect gives letters a separated outline
Font size can be set separately for X and Y directions, giving expanded and condensed text
Arcs can be clockwise or anti-clockwise, and stretch around any angle
Circles can be clockwise, anti-clockwise or bi-directional, with an optional shape inside
Replace spaces with dots in circles and arcs
Rotate your string, or slope it, or make the characters lean. Use these facilities to give mirror images or different degrees of italicization
Ripple or jiggle text up and down, or make your text into columns from top to bottom
Create see-through stencils - use them to make pattern-filled letters
Wall, floor and 3D shadows can lay in any direction and whatever length you choose
Grow and shrink makes perspectives possible
Combine many of the above effects to give almost infinite possibilities