Kerning Pairs: Adjust Character Spacing for Better Readability

Kerning adjusts the space between specific character pairs so text looks visually balanced and readable. SnowB BMF gives you direct control over kerning pairs to fine-tune your bitmap font’s layout.

Visualizing the Impact of Kerning

Kerning corrects awkward spacing between letters so text reads more naturally:

Before: Default Spacing	After: Optimized with Kerning

How to Configure Kerning Pairs

1. Activate Preview Mode

Click the Preview button in the main toolbar. This renders your text with visual guides for kerning.

2. Define a Kerning Pair

Type the two characters you want to kern in the preview text area. For example, to adjust the spacing between ‘A’ and ‘W’, type AW.

3. Adjust the Spacing

Click on the first character of the pair (e.g., the ‘A’ in AW). The kerning panel will appear, allowing you to adjust the spacing between it and the next character.

• Amount: This is the kerning value in pixels.
  • A negative value (-10) moves characters closer.
  • A positive value (10) pushes them farther apart.

Changes appear in real-time in the preview area. To adjust the kerning for WA, simply type WA and select the ‘W’.

Best Practices for Professional Kerning

• Use Real Words: Test with actual words and sentences to see pairs in context.
• Focus on Common Pairs: Prioritize problematic combinations: AV, AW, VA, WA, To, P., Yo.
• Trust Your Eyes: Aim for perceptual balance, not mathematical equality.
• Make Small Adjustments: Adjust 1-3 pixels at a time for best results.

Related Topics

• Glyph Metrics