Formatting Text

Graphics text, like all other graphics objects, has to be positioned correctly in the output area, which usually consists of one of the following:

• Entire client area of a PM window
  
• Part of a PM window
  
• Addressable area of a printer

Unlike other graphics objects, however, text is governed by well-established readability and usability rules. These rules apply generally to text output, whatever its method of production. Following are some recommendations:

• Lines of text from fonts with large point sizes must be more widely spaced for maximum readability.

• The longer the line of text, the greater the space between lines must be to ensure that the lines do not appear to merge.

• Very small text must be split into multiple columns rather than continued across the page.

Some of these considerations are taken care of by the font designer. The PM enables you to control both the horizontal and vertical positioning of text.