Models used today for digital typefaces are essentially boundary representations with additional information (in the form of hints) to support high-quality rasterization. In this project we study a higher-level class of models that we call Parametric Typographic Models (PTMs). PTMs explicitly represent typefaces in terms of typographical features such as stems, bars, and serifs, and enable high-level parametric typeface manipulations.
Results so far include: (1) an algorithm for recognizing typographic features, including serifs, from outline representations, (2) a set of algorithms for enhancing the quality of outline representations, (3) a framework for feature-based design of fonts using constraints, and (4) a new font model, LiveType, based on features, parameters and constraints (image examples).