Difference between revisions of "AxiDraw Fonts"
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The AxiDraw is a pen plotter that draws lines with its pen. On its own, it does not have any concept of what a font is. Similarly, it does not have any real restrictions on what typefaces or sizes or shapes or character sets can be used. | The AxiDraw is a pen plotter that draws lines with its pen. On its own, it does not have any concept of what a font is. Similarly, it does not have any real restrictions on what typefaces or sizes or shapes or character sets can be used. | ||
| − | When designing in Inkscape, you can use the built-in page layout tools to lay out text on your page. Inkscape works with | + | When designing in Inkscape, you can use the built-in page layout tools to lay out text on your page. Inkscape works with most fonts installed on your system (truetype and opentype, generally). |
Revision as of 02:21, 21 March 2016
Fonts for the AxiDraw
The AxiDraw is a pen plotter that draws lines with its pen. On its own, it does not have any concept of what a font is. Similarly, it does not have any real restrictions on what typefaces or sizes or shapes or character sets can be used.
When designing in Inkscape, you can use the built-in page layout tools to lay out text on your page. Inkscape works with most fonts installed on your system (truetype and opentype, generally).
Before printing text to the AxiDraw, select the text (or select all) and choose the menu option: Path>Object to Path. This converts your text from editable into a set of curves that can be printed on the AxiDraw.
General advice
The width of your pen is important, especially at smaller text sizes.
Thinner fonts will look better.
When possible, increase the typical space between neighboring characters (kerning), to compensate for the fact that the pen stroke has a width.
Where to find fonts
Free fonts are available online, for example at: http://fontmeme.com/freefonts/theme/48/handwritten
A caution, however: Free fonts that you find online tend to have errors.
Single stroke fonts
Single stroke fonts -- designed specifically for pen plotters and similar machines -- will always look the best, but are rare and sometimes hard to use.
