Tweaking My Handwriting Font with FontForge

A long time ago, I used the Fontifier service to create a basic font from my handwriting. I didn't use a thick enough marker to do the original and the result was only passable. As a result, while I used it every once and a while, I never did much with it.

Then, a few days ago, I noticed FontForge in the Ubuntu Linux package listings and installed it, figuring I'd see if I could salvage the original font I created.

So, tonight, after making a bunch of calls and doing a lot of running around, I wanted a task I could concentrate on and get lost in without being too difficult. Turns out that fiddling with the size and shape of my own handwriting was up to the task and I spent about 45 minutes tweaking it. The tedium of lining letters up and adjusting sizes was very relaxing.

The resulting version 1.1 is much better. The letters are much more even. The "c" and "d" and several other letters are no longer much larger than everything else. It is still not terribly smooth, but definitely looks much better. Especially if you apply bold and pinch the kerning a bit. At least that is what looks closest to my handwriting.

Now that I've messed with FontForge a bit, I think I could do a better job on version 2 starting from scratch. Given how much worse than the font my normal writing is (I did a much more careful job filling out the sheet), it would be nice to have a font that I can apply a personal touch to correspondance, while still retaining some legibility. But, none of that until after vacation.

36 hours and counting!!