EasyConvert for FontSmoother 1.0 beta

[pruss]

I've made a much easier to use and install font converter for my shareware FontSmoother antialiased font utility (http://www.palmgear.com/index.cfm?xyz=90288). This is a Windows only program for Win98 and up. Uses Windows-based hinting. It's pretty slow--I apologize and might eventually optimize a little. Quality is superb, though, and usability is MUCH higher than PalmFontConv. Includes source code, is free, etc.

http://palmgear.com/index.cfm?prodID=104888&fuseaction=software.redirector&file=EasyConvertinstall.exe&type=zip&PartnerREF=&siteid=1

[sein]

Hi. I tried the program but there were a couple of problems. No instructions came with the download, just the EasyConvert.exe.

First it wouldn't run until I put it inside the PalmFontConvert folder. Then when I tried to select a font this error message kept showing up:

couldn't execute "E:\PalmFontConv162full\choosewinfont": no such file or directory
while executing
"exec "$progDir/choosewinfont""

So I couldn't try it. Perhaps I am doing something wrong?


Sein

[pruss]

Oops: looks like I included an internal component rather than the installer. The correct URL is now:
http://palmgear.com/index.cfm?prodID=104888&fuseaction=software.redirector&file=EasyConvertinstall.exe&type=zip&PartnerREF=&siteid=1

[sein]

Now it's working! Even though the program is a bit slow (both in launching and producing fonts), it's definitely better and more usable than PalmFontConvert and the results are great. Thanks again, Alex!

sein

[pruss]

Updated to add progress bar:

http://palmgear.com/index.cfm?prodID=104888&fuseaction=software.redirector&file=EasyConvertSetup.exe&type=zip&PartnerREF=&siteid=1

As for speed, it may help to remember that in a typical run this is rendering the character set 12 times. 4 x ( smoothed hi res + unsmoothed hi res + unsmoothed lo res ).

[MrNako]

I got this error and it stopped at 12%

child killed: SIGABRT
child killed: SIGABRT
while executing
"exec "$toGray" -a -3 "-W$workingDir/" "-#$theAAStart($font)" "$theAARes($font)" "$workingDir/$font.gray" GU34"
(procedure "go" line 184)
invoked from within
"go 0"
invoked from within
".frmCommands.go invoke"
("uplevel" body line 1)
invoked from within
"uplevel #0 [list $w invoke]"
(procedure "tk::ButtonUp" line 15)
invoked from within
"tk::ButtonUp .frmCommands.go"
(command bound to event)

[plaid]

I'm having the same problems as MrNako, on WinME.

[sein]

Same problem here with the new (third) version. So I reinstalled the second version and no problem.

[pruss]

OK, let's try beta 4:
http://palmgear.com/index.cfm?prodID=104888&fuseaction=software.redirector&file=EasyConvertb4setup.exe&type=zip&PartnerREF=&siteid=1

I think I have it licked now. It also fixes some encoding problems.

[plaid]

Seems to be working now. thanks! One feature request. Ok, make that two. I'd love to have a clear button to clear all and start a new font. The only way to do this quickly now is to close and restart. Also, I'd love the option that was in your other font converter, of faking bold. I have a few fonts I'd like to use that don't have a bold version and when I create the font the bold looks just like the non-bold. Thanks!

[pruss]

Seems to be working now. thanks! One feature request. Ok, make that two. I'd love to have a clear button to clear all and start a new font. The only way to do this quickly now is to close and restart. Also, I'd love the option that was in your other font converter, of faking bold. I have a few fonts I'd like to use that don't have a bold version and when I create the font the bold looks just like the non-bold. Thanks!

The CLEAR button idea is great.

The fake bold... Well, I am of two minds about it. I am trying to make this as easy to use for novice users as possible, and to do that I am limiting the number of options quite severely.

Maybe I should have a drop down "advanced effects" box with "fake bold" and "fake italics"?

[filber]

Missed this one somehow! Nicely done once again, Alex. :) Much easier than PalmFontConv. The only suggestion I can think of would be an option to select a permanent/changeable default folder in which to save the fonts. It's a bit of a pain to have to designate the save folder everytime or to fish for the created font prc in the default font converter folder.

[pruss]

beta 6:
- http://palmgear.com/index.cfm?prodID=104888&fuseaction=software.redirector&file=EasyConvertB6Setup.exe&type=zip&PartnerREF=&siteid=1

New features:
- Clear button
- By default saves in program-dir\Output
- Support for different encodings (only the Windows ones)
- Hotsync after generation

[archangel]

Thank you for doing such a great job with this program. This and fontsmoother are easily my favorite Palm apps right now. Unlimited font options now for eReader and Mobipocket. :)

[pruss]

By the way, does anyone know how to edit the icon in a .exe file?

[tonyreynolds]

I just deleted the older copy of EasyConvert that I had (from 6/6), and reinstalled using Beta6. When I click on the desktop EasyConvert icon I get the same error:

A small, grey window that is titled "EasyConvert", with no options and,

A Console window that says:

"Error sourcing /palm/PalmFontConv/EasyConvert.tcl: couldn't read file "combobox.tcl": no such file or directory"

Am I doing something wrong? Others seem to have no problem...

The target for the desktop icon is:

"C:\Program Files\EasyConvert for FontSmoother\EasyConvert.exe"

Seems to be the same deal as a few days ago: if I want to run EasyConvert, I have to reinstall each time...

BTW, great work Alex, I just don't know why it's not working for me.

Tony :(

[tonyreynolds]

Alex:

I opened the C:\Program Files\EasyCovert directory and created a new desktop icon shortcut from the executable in the file. It now works fine...

:)

[pruss]

Yeah, Inno Setup wasn't setting the "start in" field for the shortcuts. I always launched through the Start menu, and it worked there.

It should be perfect in the 1.00 release.