[Jmol-users] Re: Java & Fonts

[Miguel <mi...@jm...>]

> Hi Miguel. Thanks for the suggestions on font usage.
>
> What I specifically need is greek fonts. I need to use phi, chi, etc in=
 a
> Java application. I don't really care what font set I use, as long as I=

> can access a basic set of scientific symbols which are all in the greek=

> alphabet.

The good news is, you have easy access to all the greek characters, plus
more, in your choice of font.

All the characters are built into Java, with your choice of Serif,
SansSerif, or Monospaced as the font.

Go to www.unicode.org/charts

Greek & Coptic are in the left column. Download that page. Print it and
hang it on the wall next to your display.

(In fact, I will send it to you off-list)

Look at page 3 of this .pdf file. You will see all the greek characters i=
n
both upper and lower case.

A unicode character is identified by 4 hex digits. The first 3 are at the=

top of the column. The last is on the left.

So, the unicode value for lower case alpha is 03B1, upper case delta is 0=
394.

In java you denote unicode characters in a string constant by prefixing
the hex value with =5CuXXXX ... as in the following

System.out.println(=22lower case alpha =5Cu03B1 upper case delta =5Cu0394=
=22);
System.out.println(=22chi phi=3D=5Cu

the =5CuXXXX escape sequence is analogous to =5Cn for newline.

If you change the font, then you will change the the way that it is
printed, without changing the character ... for example, italics and bold=

will work.

If you use Monospace then they will all be fixed pitch.

If you have Jmol, bring up some molecule and do the following:

set echo top
echo =22=5Cu03A7=5Cu03A6=22
font echo 48 serif
font echo 48 sansserif
font echo 48 monospaced
font echo 48 serif italic
font echo 32 sansserif bold
font echo 64 serif

> The Symbol font seems to be the answer as it is always on Macs
> and Windows.

**Don't use the Symbol font** ... I don't even know how to do it (or if
you can) from Java.

Believe me, all the Greek glyphs are built into the Java fonts and that i=
s
what you want to use.

Your font names should be =22Serif=22, =22SansSerif=22, and =22Monospaced=
=22 ...
nothing more.

Your styles should be =22Plain=22, =22Bold=22, =22Italic=22, and =22BoldI=
talic=22.

Point size can be whatever you want.

> Any more suggestions?

I know it is somewhat confusing. Don't be reluctant to ask me more
questions if it is not clear or if you are having troubles.


Miguel



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