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  Optimal (or recommended) fonts for ChartDirector Charts?
Posted by Adrian on Apr-14-2012 04:04
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I need to create a java chart application for a client and I'd like to have your input on what you consider the best fonts for chart images.

I need to purchase the fonts that I will use, so before I go through hundreds of fonts & test them, I was hoping you could give me your recommendations on what fonts work & look better on chart images.

The font size will be between 8 and 13 & the charts image will be in bmp/png format.

If you have samples for comparison, that would be amazing. But if not, that's fine.

Any input would be helpful.
Thanks

  Re: Optimal (or recommended) fonts for ChartDirector Charts?
Posted by Peter Kwan on Apr-17-2012 01:38
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Hi Adrian,

I have not really tried many different fonts. When we designed the sample code for ChartDirector, we tend to use only commonly available fonts (Arial, Times New Roman) to make sure the sample code can be run on most computers.

Also, I think it is hard to suggested an "optimal font" for charts, just like it is hard to suggested an "optimal font" for to be used for a book, or for a spreadsheet. Most fonts will work, and whether it is "optimal" depends on your style.

For Java, if you are to supply your own font files, you would need to consider font installation issues. This is especially the case if you do not know where your application will run. The fonts need to be installed in a way accessible to Java. It may be installed in into the OS (which is OS dependent). It may be installed using some special methods that depends on the Java version and brand. The fonts may need to store in the file system. Since Java is platform independent, it is sometimes not clear if a file system exists in the running environment or is accessible. For example, a Java program running inside a browser may not be able to access the client file system.

Personally, I think if the application can allow the user to choose the fonts, that should be enough. The fonts can come from the fonts that are available in the client machine.

Regards
Peter Kwan