User Guide

inches or 12 points.
PICT: A Macintosh graphics format that Fontographer and
other graphic and page layout programs use.
Pixel (PICture ELement): Square dots that represent the
smallest units displayed on a computer screen. Typical
monitors display about 72 pixels per inch. Characters and
graphics are created by turning pixels on or off.
Point: A unit of typographic measurement equal to
approximately 1/72 inch (0.01383 inches).
Point size: The height of the type body. A standard type
measurement system was originally developed by the
Parisian type founder Pirre Fournier Le Jeune in 1737. In
the days of metal type, the point size was the total number
of points in the height of metal type, including the ascent
and descent of the letters, and the metal above and below
the letters (i.e., built-in leading).
Pop-up: A menu (aka pull-down or drop-down) that
appears in a dialog box or in a main menu when related
information is selected.
PostScript: Adobe System’s page description language.
Programs like Macromedia Freehand use PostScript to
create complex pages, text, and graphics on-screen. This
language is then sent to the printer to produce high-quality
printed text and graphics.
Preview: A mode for editing or viewing a character which
shows a filled outline.
Printer font: A font that permanently resides in the printer.
Proportionately spaced type: Type whose character
widths vary according to the features of the letters (as
opposed to monospaced type).
RAM: Random Access Memory. The computer printer’s
temporary place for storing data. When the computer or
printer is turned off, the information in RAM is erased.
Rasterization: The process of converting outlines into
bitmaps. The outlines are scaled to the desired size and
filled by turning on pixels inside the outline. (See pixel.)
Reference: An image that refers to an original character; a
Fontographer User's Manual
Glossary Page #7