More control over standard font smoothing?

[David Given]

Does anyone know if there's any way of getting more control over the way
TrueType fonts are rendered using the standard (non-ClearType) font
smoother?

The issue is this: I use several operating systems. I use a bunch of
fonts that are designed for unhinted systems like Linux and OSX. My
system is dual-headed, with different monitor orientations, so I can't
use ClearType (besides, one monitor is a CRT). Unfortunately, with
ClearType turned off, the fonts get drawn so badly that they make my
eyes hurt.

Here's what it looks like on XP:

http://www.cowlark.com/~dg/screenshot.png

Here's what it's supposed to look like (taken on Linux):

http://www.cowlark.com/~dg/screenshot-unhinted.png

I'm pretty sure what the problem is, which is that the standard Windows
font smoother puts way too much emphasis on the hinting, to such an
extent that it distorts the shapes of the letters --- the problem isn't
unique to my fonts; even the standard Microsoft fonts appear to get
drawn badly (with jaggies) when using the standard font smoother. Is
there any way to turn hinting off completely? Or to change the level of
antialiasing? Can I replace the font renderer completely with a
different one?

Please help --- I'm getting very tired of rainbow fringes...

 

[Alec S.]

Does anyone know if there's any way of getting more control over the way
TrueType fonts are rendered using the standard (non-ClearType) font
smoother?

ClearType Tuner.

Online version:
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/tuner/step1.aspx

Downloadable PowerToy:
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/ClearTypePowertoy.mspx

 

[David Given]

ClearType Tuner.

As I said, I can't use ClearType. I use two different monitors with
different orientations.

Does anyone know how to get more control over the *standard* font renderer?

(Alternatively, disabling subpixel antialiasing on ClearType might do
the trick as well.)

 

[Alec S.]

As I said, I can't use ClearType. I use two different monitors with
different orientations.

Ah, didn’t see that paragraph.

I hadn’t heard that ClearType can’t be used with different orientations. Is it
bad on both?


What about your video card driver? Does it have any functions that can help? On
my system, I can prevent text from giving me a headache simply by turning the
contrast down a bit (on the monitor, although turning it down at the video card
can work too).

 

[David Given]

Alec S. wrote:
[...]

I hadn�t heard that ClearType can�t be used with different orientations. Is it
bad on both?

ClearType appears to have only two configuration options that I've been
able to find --- orientation (RGB or BGR) and contrast. You can't set
this on a per-monitor basis, and either way it doesn't support the
vertical orientation on the CRT.

Currently I have it configured for the LCD screen; the CRT's natural
fuzziness hides the colour banding to a certain extent. But even when
configured correctly, I deeply dislike ClearType --- the coloured edges
are still clearly visible. I'd much rather have traditional grey-scale
antialiasing.

What about your video card driver? Does it have any functions that can help? On
my system, I can prevent text from giving me a headache simply by turning the
contrast down a bit (on the monitor, although turning it down at the video card
can work too).

The LCD is a laptop screen and doesn't really have such options.