On Thu, 20 Jan 2005 08:56:34 -0500, Peter T. Daniels
<grammatim@...> wrote:

[nb]

>> I read recently about a diferent style that is easy to write and learn,
>> and looks good as well.
>
> Care to identify? Could this be the "italic revolution in handwriting"
> in England associated with Alfred Fairbank in the 1940s?

Sorry to delay the reply; Barchowsky:

<http://bfhhandwriting.com/index.php?sec=2>

[nb]

>> Splines can be very beautiful, when arbitrary curves are needed; after
>> all, afaik, all curves in computer typography are splines (even when
>> circles could be used).

>> Btw, is there any need or use for quartic or higher-order splines in
>> computer typography?

[PD]

> ?????????????????????????????????

The higher the order, the more sophisticated the curve can be, I'd say.
Quartics have fourth powers in them, such as the power of [a] in
"a⁴+b³+c²+d". (⁴ is a superscripted 4, U+2074). Splines are essentially
mathematical curves that do much the same thing that draftsman's splines
used to do before the time of computer-driven moving-pen plotters (which
are now also obsolete) and their related software. That is, they create a
smooth transition between two points. I think it's safe to say that all
curves in computer "outline" fonts (TT and PS) are splines.

Everyone should try fooling with Bézier curves in a nice graphics program.
Google on [bezier] to learn more. If the math is not clear, don't worry;
however, it's not difficult, just clever, it seems.

--
Nicholas Bodley /*|*\ Waltham, Mass.
The curious hermit -- autodidact and polymath
Total lie -- saying that Social Security is in crisis:
<http://www.truthout.org/docs_05/011805I.shtml>