Where can I get information on the mechanics of fonts?

Question

Following my line of "simple" questions: where can I find information about how fonts are made/rendered, and details like what hinting is?

Edit: I'd like more details about font rendering.

Answer 1

There is an open source font creation app fontforge, that has a very helpful help page describing many of the fundamentals of font construction:

http://fontforge.sourceforge.net/overview.html#TOC

and hinting specifically is here:

http://fontforge.sourceforge.net/hinting.html

Some more font building & hinting resources: iLT how to make a font part II — ❧ —Truetype Hinting — ❧ — Adobe opntype font development kit ⊃ Adobe opentype hinting information — ❧ —Hinting tutorial from the DejaVu designers

Rendering Articles: How does sub-pixel rendering work? — ❧ — Font smoothing, anti-aliasing, and sub-pixel rendering

And just for fun:

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Answer 2

I Love Typography has some great info on fonts and font creation.

Answer 3

After designing a font with the tool of your choice (the Adobe Suite is fine for this), throw it into FontLab and make the necessary changes then export it.

This guide covers the process fairly in-depth.

Answer 4

If you are interested in the technology behind font rendering you should see if this article is what you are looking for. It is very good.

Texts Rasterization Exposures

Answer 5

Typophile is a great website devoted to type. They have excellent forums frequented by people who actually design type so I think you will have more luck there.

Answer 6

There is also an app called The Typography Manual for the iPhone and iPod Touch.