A Multiple Master based method for scaling glyphs without changing the stroke characteristics

This article presents methods for handling Multiple Masters (several type styles such as regular and bold joined in one font file) beyond the conventional applications such as generating semibold fonts. The “boldness” information in an MM font can be used to change the size of glyphs without changing the stroke weight. The method helps to create small caps, Cyrillic lowercase and – since the horizontal and vertical scale factors can be chosen independently – even true condensed fonts. Comparisons to existing typefaces with designed small caps and condensed versions show that the output generated by the model is rather close to that of the true glyphs. In contrast to “intelligent” data formats that generate glyphs, the model suggested here is a technology-independent formula for the processing of pre-existing shapes. The output has the same format as the input and can be subsequently modified, making the method a tool for the automation of a specific design step rather than a stand-alone technology.