[whatwg] Text APIs on <canvas>

[fantasai]

Ian Hickson wrote:
> 
> The idea is that only scalable (vector) fonts should be used, since 
> otherwise things will quickly look ugly. I've made the spec require this.
> 
> Going forward the spec is likely to require effects such as adding text to 
> paths, which will require vector data for all fonts used anyway. I don't 
> want to mislead implementators into thinking bitmap fonts are in any way 
> an option in this day and age.

Just fyi...

IIRC, Chinese and Japanese fonts often have to use bitmaps for smaller
pixel sizes. Shrinking the vector wouldn't be clear enough for high-density
characters: in many cases certain carefully-chosen strokes are left out in
the smaller sizes in order to make it legible. Judging from information
about Meiryo, it seems more recent font technology uses vectors + hinting
to solve the same problem... but maybe it's something to keep in mind.

~fantasai