Waveform interface fonts

[michal.ochedowski]

Hello all. This subject has been around ever since I started using Tracktion software, at least for me. I was wondering if there were any other users, that had problem with blurry fonts in this DAW. I mean overall look of the program is good, but I found that after certain amount of time lack of depth and bad-looking fonts make me close the session. It literally hurts my eyes after 45 minutes. I tried changing fonts more times that I can remember. The selection is huge as we all know, but I couldn't get rid of the eye-straining issue. Also I tried using second and better graphics card in my laptop, but this did not make any change. I tested it with two screenshots and they were identical. Changing the color scheme doesn't help either.

What's most puzzling to me, is the fact that on certain YouTube video I couldn't see those unwanted artifacts that are present on my screen. Bare in mind that no other software causes these problems for me, only Waveform. That's why I didn't assume that there was something incorrect regarding font rendering in my OS, Windows 8.1.

That's not the case when I use Cakewalk. There everything is ok graphic-wise. There is depth and everything looks more sharp in general. However I would like to stay with Waveform, because the workflow is much better in my experience.

[ferez21]

I've been wondering the same, been searching for a way to make the font sharper, can't figure out why is the text fuzzy in Waveform.

[michal.ochedowski]

I've been wondering the same, been searching for a way to make the font sharper, can't figure out why is the text fuzzy in Waveform.

At least now I know I'm not the only one with this problem. Perhaps other users will also shed some light on the subject. Thanks for sharing.

[ferez21]

I've been wondering the same, been searching for a way to make the font sharper, can't figure out why is the text fuzzy in Waveform.

At least now I know I'm not the only one with this problem. Perhaps other users will also shed some light on the subject. Thanks for sharing.

I also went through all of Windows' fonts hoping that one of them will improve the interface, and the best I've found so far is Franklin Gothic Medium, not the sharpest but an overall improvement over the default.

[ForrestH]

I recommend Amaranth and Proza Libre.

[michal.ochedowski]

I also went through all of Windows' fonts hoping that one of them will improve the interface, and the best I've found so far is Franklin Gothic Medium, not the sharpest but an overall improvement over the default.

Thanks for the info. Franklin Gothic Medium really improves the experience. Still I don't think that my eye strain will go away that easily. I seem to struggle the most with file browser. Probably because it has black background.

I recommend Amaranth and Proza Libre.

I don't think I would go that far, to change actual font in my OS, to improve graphics of a single program. Unless you meant incorporating them in Waveform, which I'm not aware of how to do. Thanks.

[ForrestH]

I don't think I would go that far, to change actual font in my OS, to improve graphics of a single program. Unless you meant incorporating them in Waveform, which I'm not aware of how to do. Thanks.

Does the Windows version not have Settings|Appearance|Look and Feel|Font?

If it has that you need merely add the fonts to...whichever folder your version of Windows keeps fonts in.

[michal.ochedowski]

I don't think I would go that far, to change actual font in my OS, to improve graphics of a single program. Unless you meant incorporating them in Waveform, which I'm not aware of how to do. Thanks.

Does the Windows version not have Settings|Appearance|Look and Feel|Font?

If it has that you need merely add the fonts to...whichever folder your version of Windows keeps fonts in.

Thanks for clarifying. I will definitely give it a go. At the moment I'm testing font mentioned by ferez21.

[ForrestH]

Semi-relatedly: for the wub of "Bob", Tracktion, alphabetize the font list, I IMPLORE THEE.

[cjayconrod]

I've stumbled upon something that may be a hack: in Windows' Display Settings, I changed the scale to 125%, and in Waveform, I changed the scale to 75%. Everything appears to take up the same amount of space as before, but looks cleaner to me. I'd love if someone else would try this and see if they have similar results.

[FigBug]

Semi-relatedly: for the wub of "Bob", Tracktion, alphabetize the font list, I IMPLORE THEE.

What OS are you on? Can you send screenshot of unsorted menu? Always looked sorted to me.

[ForrestH]

What OS are you on? Can you send screenshot of unsorted menu? Always looked sorted to me.

Linux.

wug.png

(The plugin lists seem alphabetic.)

[FigBug]

What OS are you on? Can you send screenshot of unsorted menu? Always looked sorted to me.

Linux.wug.png(The plugin lists seem alphabetic.)

Thanks, will be fixed in next build.

[ferez21]

What OS are you on? Can you send screenshot of unsorted menu? Always looked sorted to me.

Linux.wug.png(The plugin lists seem alphabetic.)

Thanks, will be fixed in next build.

Hi,
I find it weird that you didn't address the main issue described in this thread though, which is much more serious then alphabetize the font list.

[FigBug]

I think the issue is that on Windows, fonts are usually snapped to the pixel grid, which makes them a bit more crisp, but makes the kerning slightly inaccurate. On macOS, fonts are rendered more correctly, but look slightly fuzzier. The framework we use for Waveform (JUCE) renders things the same way between platforms and follows the more mac like way of rendering fonts, so to Windows users the fonts look fuzzier than expected. Also, I don't believe JUCE supports subpixel rendering.