1 @c -*- coding: utf-8; mode: texinfo; -*-
3 Translation of GIT committish: FILL-IN-HEAD-COMMITTISH
5 When revising a translation, copy the HEAD committish of the
6 version that you are working on. For details, see the Contributors'
7 Guide, node Updating translation committishes..
12 @node typography-features
14 @unnumberedsec Font design
16 A large factor that makes LilyPond output look traditional lies in the
17 blackness of the page. By using heavy stafflines, and a font design to
18 match that, the overall impression is much stronger. This is also very
19 clear from the following blowups:
21 @multitable @columnfractions .3 .3 .3
24 @sourceimage{henle-flat-gray,,,.png}
28 @sourceimage{baer-flat-gray,,,.png}
32 @sourceimage{lily-flat-bw,,,.png}
48 Another typical aspect of hand-engraved scores is the general look of
49 the symbols. They almost never have sharp corners. This is because
50 sharp corners of the punching dies are fragile and quickly wear out
51 when stamping in metal. The general rounded shape of music symbols is
52 also present in all glyphs of our "Feta" font.
57 @c @unnumberedsec Spacing
60 One of the problems that the Bach piece above inspired us to attack
61 is the spacing engine. One of its features is optical spacing.
62 It is demonstrated in the fragment below.
64 @divClass{float-center}
65 @sourceimage{spacing-with-corr,,,.png}
68 @divClass{float-center}
69 @sourceimage{spacing-no-corr,,,.png}
72 This fragment only uses quarter notes: notes that are played in a
73 constant rhythm. The spacing should reflect that. Unfortunately, the
74 eye deceives us a little: not only does it notice the distance between
75 note heads, it also takes into account the distance between
76 consecutive stems. As a result, the notes of an up-stem/down-stem
77 combination should be put farther apart, and the notes of a down-up
78 combination should be put closer together, all depending on the
79 combined vertical positions of the notes. The top fragment is printed
80 with this correction, the bottom one without. In the last case, the
81 down-stem/up-stems combinations form clumps of notes.
84 @c @unnumberedsec Ledger lines
87 Ledger lines are typographically difficult. They can easily blot
88 together with other signs, such as ledger lines or
89 accidentals. Other software prevents these collisions by spacing the
90 lines wider (thus taking up more space), or shortening ledger lines
91 (which hampers readability.)
93 @multitable @columnfractions .3 .3 .3
96 @sourceimage{henle-ledger,,,.png}
100 @sourceimage{baer-ledger,,,.png}
106 @sourceimage{lily-ledger,,,.png}
122 Traditional engravers would adjust the size of a ledger line,
123 depending on what symbols were in the neighborhood. LilyPond does the
124 same. Ledgers are shortened so they never collide with neighboring
125 lines, and they are shortened when there is an accidental.
127 @divClass{float-right}
128 Next: @ref{input-format,Use the Source Luke}, or: what