Question XR2 Ravenstar panel fonts

[kneejo]

is there a way to change the fontsize used in the 3 huds and the rest of the 2D panel (not the mfd's) of the XR2?

I find nothing related in the config file, so I'm afraid it's hard-coded, yes?

I want to scale the 1280 panel to 90%, which works fine, but the font is a little too big. some of the numbers are not always showing. It's do-able, but it would be nice to be able to change this. I can get the framerate I want by running at 1152 pixels, so any help would be nice, thank you.

 

[TSPenguin]

Hardcoded. Everything.
Sorry...

 

[dbeachy1]

TS is correct. The reason is that the font size is directly tied to the panel size; otherwise the text would overrun the edges of the popup HUDs and the MDA screen. A larger font simply would not fit.

However, the main reason you can't read the font when the panel is scaled at 90% isn't because of the font size: it's because whenever you downscale a panel you lose information (pixels). That's why the font is so hard to read when downscaled -- bits of the characters are missing. If you must run at 1152 pixels I recommend just running the 1280-pixel panel scaled at 1.0 and using the arrow keys to scroll it left and right as necessary. You're only cropping 64 pixels per side at 1152 pixels wide, so you won't be cropping much all. In addition, running the 1280-pixel panel at 1152 should not impact your framerate.

 

[kneejo]

TS is correct. The reason is that the font size is directly tied to the panel size; otherwise the text would overrun the edges of the popup HUDs and the MDA screen. A larger font simply would not fit.

I wasn't looking for a larger font, but for a smaller font. so it would fit inside the designated places without some numbers randomly missing. But I understand it's hard-coded, so no possibility there.

Maybe there is a work-around. If I knew what font is used, could I then rename some fonts in my windows fonts folder so the XR2 is fooled in loading another font. Some fonts are a little smaller, although the designated font-size is the same. This might work. Which font is used for the XR2?

 

[dbeachy1]

Unfortunately changing to a smaller font would not improve readability. As I said, the problem is that when the panel is scaled down certain information (including some character pixels) is lost. Decreasing the font size would not fix that -- in fact, it would probably be even less readable because there would be fewer pixels per character to begin with.

To put it another way, panel scaling knows nothing about fonts or characters rendered on the screen: it simply scales down the entire panel without regard to which pixels are being dropped. Panel scaling is performed by the Orbiter core itself and happens after the panel is rendered in memory by the XR code.

 

[kneejo]

Decreasing the font size would not fix that -- in fact, it would probably be even less readable because there would be fewer pixels per character to begin with.

hey, you seem to be the developer of the XR's. Great add-on! XR2 is my standard ship now, replacing the DGVI. I've liked the looks of the SR71 since I was a child, combining that with a space-shuttle nose just made my eyes drool

The work-around I was thinking about was changing some font-file names in windows, to substitute a font that at the same fontsize gives a smaller size of the characters when they eventually show in orbiter. Some fonts at 8pt for example appear smaller than another font at 8pt. (compare smallfonts in windows to arial, for instance) So, my question for you is: what is the font used in the XR for the 2 huds and the rest of the panel instruments?

 

[dbeachy1]

To reiterate yet again, switching to a smaller font will not improve panel readability, scaled or not. However, I will answer your question anyway, but don't say I didn't warn you...

Secondary and Tertiary HUDs: Arial 14-point
Turbopack screen: Microsoft Sans Serif 14-point
MDA screens: Microsoft Sans Serif 14-, 12-, and 10-point
Flashing HUD warnings: Tahoma 18-point

Be advised that changing the global fonts will affect all your Windows programs, not just Orbiter. If you must run at 1152x864, your best bet is to simply run the 1280 panel scaled at 1.0 (normal size) and just scroll left and right as necessary -- that's only clipping 64 pixels per side.

 

[kneejo]

Thank you, your advice is taken to heart. I'll try something and if it works for me, it works. If not, no harm done, I'm getting quite used to making backups and changing files because of Orbiter in the first place. It sometimes awakens the geek inside me, which is something I try to prevent, because it's an obsessive compulsive geek. I might loose control and not be able to stop myself if I find something that challenges the geek. Until I get exhausted, that is, but then again, that can take days sometimes.

 

[kneejo]

hmm, well okay, that did not do anything. sorry to waste your time.