Creating Links

A link connects two control points over a flexible distance. It starts at a point (the “parent”) and ends at a second point (the “child”). The link doesn’t affect the parent point, but it determines the location of the child in relation to the parent.

More than one link can start from the same point. In addition, what was the second control point (“child”) in one link may be the first control point (“parent”) for another link. In fact, you can create a chain of connected links, each entailing the next, as long as the last control point in the chain is not a parent point earlier in the chain.

Links go in one direction, so the toolbar has two linking tools—one for the X direction and one for the Y direction:

X Link tool iconY Link tool icon

The respective tool will be available only if the Show X Direction or Show Y Direction options are selected in the Display Options dialog found on the Display menu. Similarly, Visual TrueType displays links only for the selected direction(s).

Selecting a link tool changes the cursor into a horizontal or vertical arrow for the X or Y direction:

X Link CursorY Link Cursor

To create the link, you drag from one point to another. The link controls the child point in either the X or Y direction, based on the link tool you use. The link looks like an arrow filled with lines. Both the lines and the arrowhead parallel the X or Y direction of the link. Horizontal and vertical links will be straight, but diagonal links will curve.

Tip A good strategy is to create links on the glyph outline before you display pixels.

If you have not previously rounded the linked control points, Visual TrueType automatically rounds them for you. By default, Visual TrueType rounds to the nearest grid line (X or Y, depending on the direction of the link). If you want a different rounding method, you can specify another (for details, see “Rounding Control Points”).

The distance, at least one pixel, must be a whole number of pixels (rounded to the grid at the current ppem size) as specified in the ‘cvt’ table. As a result, if the parent point is controlled to a grid boundary, the link also grid-fits the child because you usually want it a whole number of pixels from the parent.

By default, the shape of the arrowhead reflects the last-selected option relating links to control values. In addition, the link might display a small highway sign, with or without a number. For details about both variations, see “Linking with ‘Cvt’ Values” in this chapter.

X links typically start at the side-bearing points. You’ll use links most often to control side bearings (X direction only) and stem thickness (X and Y directions). For other uses, see “Advanced Hinting.”

Links are flexible. For example, you can change the link by making a different control point the “parent” or “child.” At any time, you can delete the link.

Tip When you’re not working with links, you can hide them to make more room on the screen for other visual hinting. In the Display Options dialog, you can set the Links and Dists option to show or hide Link commands.

To create Links via the keyboard, you must type the appropriate VTT Talk commands into the VTT Talk window (Ctrl + 5).

To select the XLink tool

1.       In the Visual TrueType Options submenu of the Display menu, ensure that the Show X Direction option is enabled.

2.      Select the XLink tool by clicking its icon in the toolbar or by pressing the F5 key.

To select the YLink tool

1.       In the Visual TrueType Options submenu of the Display menu, ensure that the Show Y Direction option is enabled.

2.      Select the XLink tool by clicking its icon in the toolbar, or by pressing the F1 key.

To create a link

1.       Select the XLink or YLink tool by clicking the appropriate icon, or by pressing the F5 or F1 key, respectively.

2.      If necessary, zoom in for a better view. (For details, see “Resizing the View”.)

3.      Point on what you want as the “parent” point. Visual TrueType will display an arrow to indicate the start of the link.

4.     Drag to the “child” point.

To change the “parent” or “child” control point

1.       Select the XLink or YLink tool by clicking the appropriate icon, or by pressing the F5 or F1 key, respectively.

2.      Point on the tail (parent) or head (child) of the arrow.

3.      Drag to another control point.

To display or hide existing links

1.       In the Visual TrueType Options submenu of the Display menu, select the Links and Dists option.

To delete a link

1.       Select the XLink or YLink tool by clicking the appropriate icon, or by pressing the F5 or F1 key, respectively.

2.      Point on the arrowhead of the link you want to delete.

3.      Drag the arrowhead off the “child” control point, and release the mouse button. Visual TrueType will delete the link.