Tech Stuff: Text Renderers for Windows

Today's blog addresses a GUI improvement for Windows operating systems.

For people who are unaware of the font smoothing and how it works, kindly refer the following article.

If you've ever used a Mac or Ubuntu then you would've probably noticed that the font looks much better than how it looks in Windows. Its smooth and has good anti-aliasing and has a thick dark look to it.

The Windows font smoothing, Cleartype tries to do a similar thing, but fails miserably. Its not that bad, but when compared to Ubuntu it sucks!

Today I am focusing on alternate text rendering programs which enhance the look of the fonts in Windows. Programs that offer this functionality are (items linked to download pages)

GDIPP (only works on 32bit applications on Windows)
MacType (originally in chinese, now supports multiple languages, supports x64)
EZGDI (in alpha stage, unstable, supports x64)

Here I will keep the topic limited to Mactype as I have only used Mactype till now and am quite satisfied with it.

Mactype 2011.1019

Rendering modes:

Registry - This mode loads Mactype font rendering with the registry. This rendering all the text in all programs in Mactype. This mode is ideal if you are looking to replace Cleartype completely.
Run as a service - Its the same as the registry mode. The only difference is that the font rendering is loaded as a service instead of the registry. This service can be disable(or enabled) using the Windows service manager.
Manual - Self explainatory
Standalone loading mode - This mode allows easy control over all program settings. You can switch profiles, select programs to ignore, and enable/disable rendering using this mode. This mode shows a Mactype icon in the taskbar tray.
Compatibility mode - Similar to standalone loading mode with limited functionality. It only enable/disable rendering in this mode. This mode should be used if you are experiencing rendering problems with the text.

Changelog for version 2011.1019

MacType core:

Fixed MacType new memory management problems
Support for custom shadows, shadow parameters fully updated.
Support for single process using a separate configuration
Support public exclusion list
Dual shadow
Transparency of the shadow update algorithm parameters
Caching error correction routine body and lead to confusion and other problems italics
Modify EasyHook caused a crash
Fixed a font size does not cause problems
Performance Optimization
Fixed a problem of thermal substitution led to garbled
Security can now replace the default fonts
Now disable MacType not cause some of the fonts into the System
Priority support lattice parameters
Updates to FreeType 2.4.6

MacTray:

Using the new design icon
Support for multiple languages, support for user-defined language
Now you can stop or start the process list
Support public exclusion list
MacTuner:

Support for multiple languages, support for user-defined language
Using the new design icon
Supported text shadow color set
Perfect preservation mechanism, save all available items will be written.

MacType user guide:

Support for multiple languages, support for user-defined language
Using the new design icon
Correct the environment variable

The interface is pretty straightforward. Just select a rendering mode to get started. Then choose a font profile from the defaults or create a new profile and restart. You'll see the changes immediately.

Screenshots: