By Shlomo Perets, MicroType

The following comparison graphics illustrate specific points in the article:

• Vector Graphics Comparison

• Bitmap Graphics Comparison

• Line Thickness Comparison

• Font Rendering Comparison

• Anti-aliasing of Times 12 in Acrobat 4

Left - vector graphics in Adobe Illustrator 8; Right - same graphics displayed in Acrobat 4, with "smooth text & images" option turned on (vector graphics are not anti-aliased by Acrobat)

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Left - image displayed in Word97; Right - same image displayed in Acrobat 4. Even though Acrobat's anti-aliasing is activated, it does not affect images that are below 200 dpi. Lack of anti-aliasing is particularly noticeable where two contrasting colors meet.

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The same grid displayed in Acrobat at 100% - 140% magnifications. All lines were created with the same thickness, yet they are displayed non-uniformly.

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Fritz Quadrata and URW Antiqua, 12 points: Top - in Word, Bottom - in Acrobat (Anti-aliasing is turned off in both). Notice how letter thickness is distorted in Acrobat's display.

Same as previous, but enlarged to show character digitization.

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Phrase in Times 12 as rendered by the operating system (top) and by Acrobat (bottom). (NT4, "smooth edges of screen fonts" option activated)

Same as previous, but enlarged to show character digitization.

Top OR Return to Part 1 of this article.