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Prototyp-0 / Font Generator [Processing]

Created by Yannick Mathey (byte-foundry), prototyp-0 is an application designed for the drawing of typographical characters. Created using Processing, the application automates the process allowing you to manipulate a large number of character properties in realtime, reflecting on the results and applying it to others.

Settings used on a single letter or letter sequence “type,” are instantly reflected on all the glyphs: Low-to-break, capitals, small capitals, but also numbers and common punctuation. The built in database includes all the typographic features achievable for any desired font, including fonts similar to the historical styles. Markers can alert the user of the limits and within the established rules of proportion and typography.

For more info and to follow development process, see diplome.canalblog.com
+
yannickmathey.com
byte-foundry.com

See also: TYPEFACE [Processing] – Type design by facial recognition // by … + typography tag on CAN

Related Posts

Posted on: 02/06/2011

Posted in: Processing

Post tags:

  • Ger Banker

    That is not an ‘e’ that’s more like a pile of faeces

  • James Isbell

    This is sweeeeet where can i download it?

  • http://twitter.com/mary_ego Mary Egorova

    That’s why we have a lot of disgusting typefaces.

  • David Lemon

    Mary’s right; this thing is off the mark in so many ways I hardly know where to start. Didn’t even spell the typeface names correctly.

  • Ger Banker

    Most characters dont make any sense at all. He should have go to the Royal Academy in the Hague.

  • Harvey D

    Why the hell is this being dissed? It’s crazy! Of course you demonstrate a concept by showing the extremes of what’s possible. If you can’t see the possibilities in treating a typeface as a set of algorithmically pliable properties instead of unchanging bitmaps then don’t call yourself “creative.”

  • Ger Banker

     The -e- sucks all of the times. It has nothing to do with showing all the extremes. That thing up there is not an e, but just a pile of shit. It’s true. When you do something, do it well.

  • Matheus Blake

    Yannick should go open source!

  • Info

     We do not call ourself creative. Speaking for myself, I think it’s a nice aim, but he missed the goal.

  • Yannick

    Thanks for your comments, especially Ger Banker. Why are you so embittered? anyway…
    It was for my diploma and the video and pics are dated for months ago like the -e- wich was posted on 2010 26th april. (http://goo.gl/BG5FD). As I explained in other place, it doesn’t replace a type designer, and it’s not really for type designers. It was an experimental app, and since some ameliorations were done. 

  • muckraker

    Lol at the insufferable type snobs on this thread

  • http://kristasanders.com Krista

    Yannick, I think this is an incredible experiment with phenomenal results. Anyone who is having trouble with the as-yet-to-be-perfected elements of this innovation should refer to the first prototype of the mouse. http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/08/mouse/source/1.htm

    Please let me know if there’s any way I could get a copy to play around with.

    thanks!

  • Tom Henni

    Yes ! Type can be a lot of things, and this is part of what it can be. This project is very nice and gives a lot of ideas for different uses. Typefaces are not only for books. And i am quite shure you can edit an appropriate font for a book too.

  • Info

    Typefaces are also for toilets then? It still seems like poop to me. The serifs are total bullcrap and so are all the other elements.

  • http://twitter.com/generativestuff Antoni Kaniowski

    Seeing how much controversy arises around this (excellent) piece of software, I have posted a write up on this and related generators.

  • Andrew Pierzac

    The work of Yannick is not original. It is stolen and cliche:

    Proof:

    http://www.kalliculator.com/

    http://www.haagseletters.nl/

    http://www.fontmaster.nl/english/downloads_rdrct.html/

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metafont

    http://laikafont.ch/

    What Yannick does is creating figures that look a bit like type, but it doesnt include the features that you can see at kalliculator or even haagseletters, wich has the feature of working with different pen angles. The shapes that Prototyp-O makes is only italic like. You cant even make a roman type with it (Roman type is 70 pct of all printed matter!).

    So, stop giving this guy that much credit for stuff that other people allready did years ago. He is not original, and he is also not doing it well. Seems to me that he doesn’t even know how to construct a good character. he just does stuff.

  • Master_d

    Hahah Andrew. Actually, you are right, but I cant say that Laikafont is really good. It’s only capitals. Kalliculator looks good, but its not generative? Looks to me like it is only for drawing letters. Haagseletters is nice, it looks like Yannick’s video a bit. There is some difference in making italics and romans, true. Seems to me that there is alot of people working on generative letterdesign. Yannick is not the only one and I agree that he is also not the best. All his letters look like upright italics. Why? 

  • Master_d

     I think that Yannick should make an online applet, like haagseledters

  • threefriend

     I think that Yannick had done a good job, but it almost looks like the letters are not legit anymore. Seems to me that other people are doing their best to make good typography, wich is important as well.

  • William Jeff.

    as-yet-to-be-perfected: It still sucks and it doesnt even construc normal serifs. 

  • Wendino Alur

    Yes. What is wrong with everyone here though? At least he’s trying.

    I found a good manual over here:

    http://www.typeworkshop.com/

    I think that Mathey should do some more research in what a letter looks like.

  • Joshua K.

    To Andrew Pierzac:I don’t think the work is stolen. It is a unique idea, that other people are also working on. Generative type design is a logical step that some people are now taking. I think that it’s wise to learn from each other rather then to just say that people are stealing work. Yannick and I have been corresponding via e-mail about our work. He showed me some good examples and I used these to improve my own work. Though I might want to add that there are some elements in his work that I don’t understand, but I guess that this is just a matter of taste. Also it could be a difference of typographic style. I see that some one is mentioning the serifs. Not sure what William means with that, but I think that the serifs can be improved a bit. That is my opinion.Yannick mailed me about the discussion on this page, and asked me to clarify the whole situation. Not sure if I’m able to do this, reading what has been written here.For my own project, Haagse Letters (as mentioned in other posts) I am concentrating more on pen based type. I keep in mind that type is based on the broad nip and then later the pointed pen. I try to make shapes that reminds of that. Of course everyone needs to realise that these are parameterized shapes and that making a good broad nip letter is harder to program then to write it with a pen.
    Still, I think it’s good there there is such a thing as a discussion. Typedesign has to be treated with some respect. It is important to have some knowledge about the subject before one decides to write something about this project.

  • http://twitter.com/generativestuff Antoni Kaniowski

    However skewed and unconventional the result of these applications, the
    insight gained by the authors, and attentive viewers, is considerable.
    Further to learning software concepts behind the scenes, the
    observations gained about the relationships between particular
    attributes of letters to legibility and readability are well worth the
    effort and occasional critique.
    Hope this ridiculous discussion doesn’t bring anyone experimenting with type down.

  • Fredrique

     Snob = having knowledge and experience in typo?

    We are not haters, we just give critics. No one is actually having a good word against these critics, so to me, it seems that these critics are right! Prototyp-O is a huge failure. It has nothing to do with typography

  • Mongolian

     the only thing good about this project is the layOUT.

  • Hellogoodbye

    This project stinks. It makes a promise that it can’t make true: The typography that it makes has nothing to do with type design. It’s a shitty project. Nice idea, but the realisation sucks. I’ve seen better projects that look like this. I hope that the programmer realises that this is lousy stuff. He should.

    better projects:

    http://www.kalliculator.com/
    http://www.haagseletters.nl/

    That’s more like it!

  • Roy

    It is a tool.  Not a set of predesigned fonts.  Make what looks good to you.

  • Jonathan Amfor

    I think it’s not good at all. The creator of this clip doesn’t seem to understand what typedesign is all about. And it’s only a movie. I can’t find any software online. This only proofs that there is a movie that could have been made with standard tools. I don’t see any proof of the software. Besides it’s not original. It seems to only make Italic fonts.

    Publicly available programs:

    CalliculatorFontChameleonMetafont

    Projects:

    LettersoupHaagselettersLiveType & ParamTT

  • Yeah

    And tons of horrible people

  • Yeah

    type nerds are horrible people if this comment thread is anything to go by. good work yannick. the rest of you bitter cunts, i hope you’re all out of work.