GFTODVI(1L)

NAME
gftodvi - make proofsheets from generic font files

SYNOPSIS
gftodvi [gf_file_name]

DESCRIPTION
GFtoDVI converts a generic font file (output by METAFONT) to a device independent (DVI) file that can be typeset using the same software as for TeX output. The characters in the GF file will appear one per page, with labels, titles, and annotations as specified in Appendix H (Hardcopy Proofs) of The METAFONTbook.

GFtoDVI uses four other fonts, in addition to the main gf file input. A `gray' font isused to typeset the pixels that actually make up the character. (We wouldn't want all the pixels to be simply black, since then labels, key points, and other information would be lost.) A `title' font is used for the information at the top of the page. A `label' font is used for the labels on key points of the figure. A `slant' font is used to typeset diagonal lines, which would otherwise have to be simulated using horizontal and vertical rules. The default gray, title, and label fonts are respectively `gray', `cmr8', and `cmtt10'; there is no default slant font.

The filename on the command line must be complete. (The program prompts you for it if you don't give it.) Because the resolution is part of the extension, it would not make sense to add on a default extension as is done with TeX or DVI-reading software. The output file name defaults to the same root as the gf file, with the `dvi' extension added. For example, the input file io.2602gf would become io.dvi.

The TEXFONTS environment variable is used to find tfm files that the program needs. If TEXFONTS is not defined, the directory /home/fonts is assumed.

To change the default fonts, you can give `special' commands in your GF file, or you can change the fonts online. An online dialog ensues if you type `/' after the gf_file_name. For example,
gftodvi io.300gf/
Special font substitution: grayfont black
OK; any more? grayfontarea /home/art/don/
OK; any more? slantfont slantimagen6
OK; any more? <RET>
will use /home/art/don/black as the `gray' font and /home/fonts/slantimagen6 as the slant font (it's a font for lines with slant 1/6 at imagen resolution).

FILES
/home/fonts/{gray.tfm,...} The default fonts

/home/tex/{dist,local}/lib/{gray.mf,...} The METAFONT sources

SEE ALSO
tex(1), mf(1)
Donald Knuth, The METAFONTbook
Donald Knuth et al., METAFONTware

AUTHORS
Donald Knuth wrote the program. The program was published as part of the METAFONTware technical report (Stanford CS1255), available from TUG (the TeX Users Group). Paul Richards ported it to Unix.