How do I replace Cleartype with OS X's lookalike?

By belutlah
in Tips, Tweaks & Customization

 Share

Recommended Posts

Rookie

belutlah

Posted
Posted

I've been trying to look for special mods to Windows that'll change text rendering to PDF style. To get what I'm mentioning, you can try Apple's Safari 3 browser for Windows.

I've been trying to look for methods of emulating the said behavior. Sadly, all I can find are infos on how to enable/disable/tweak Cleartype. Is it possible to change the way Windows renders all these fonts?

Please, refrain from posts such as:

- "Why would you want blurry text? Cleartype's WAAY better!"

- "To tweak Cleartype, go to Microsoft's .... or download PowerToys..."

Community Regular

Fairlytayleree

Posted
Posted

Your Computer Shopper esque answer would now be to get OSX and try some emulators for your compiled Win32 stuff (which is probably just about 80386 enough to work with one which would render the fonts with mac os call).

I wouldn't know where to start, saved you the cover price of Computer Shopper in any event.

:rolleyes:

Grand Master

Julius Caro

Posted
Posted
I've been trying to look for special mods to Windows that'll change text rendering to PDF style. To get what I'm mentioning, you can try Apple's Safari 3 browser for Windows.

I've been trying to look for methods of emulating the said behavior. Sadly, all I can find are infos on how to enable/disable/tweak Cleartype. Is it possible to change the way Windows renders all these fonts?

Please, refrain from posts such as:

- "Why would you want blurry text? Cleartype's WAAY better!"

- "To tweak Cleartype, go to Microsoft's .... or download PowerToys..."

After using vista, os x and ubuntu on the same monitor... I gotta say that mac looks the best. Well, vista doesn't look bad either, it's just a matter of consistency. Both vista and os x use the same hinting/antialiasing on all fonts except for small sizes in some cases. But ubuntu is a tragic mess, some apps will show fonts two points smaller than what the default is, small fonts are hinted/antialised and the results depend on the fonts. So you are safe with some fonts, and majorly screwed with some others. I think the reason ubuntu dosnt have uber sexy font rendering for ALL fonts is because the most used methods for achieving those things are patented by evil companies.

You can install the ClearType tweak for xp, which according to this, it works on vista. http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vis...-windows-vista/

I guess it deals with a couple of registry keys that handle cleartype.

You could try!! Although the problem with cleartype is that fonts are 'thinner', which is great if you are close to the monitor. OS X is better if you are slightly further away

Grand Master

+shift. MVC

Posted
  • MVC
Posted
There's not a way to change it to be like the one in OS X, as far as I know. There's a plug-in, somewhere, that will achieve the OS X effect in Firefox, though.

Do you happen to know the name of this plugin?

Grand Master

kylejn

Posted
Posted
Do you happen to know the name of this plugin?

Hmm, I don't remember off the top of my head. IIRC, it made sites written in Japanese look really nice, but the rest of the text got too muddled, so I removed it. I think it has to do with the Safari rendering engine, though, so maybe try Googling along those lines. If I think of it, I'll post it.

Grand Master

The_Decryptor Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

Cleartype is just MS's name for Sub-pixel anti aliasing, OS X already does this.

The difference is that OS X tries to retain the form of the font, and Windows tries to snap it to the pixel grid, the Windows method is better for low resolution displays, OS X's is better for high resolution displays. I don't think it is possible to change it (MS would have to do that)

Grand Master

gigapixels Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted
It is possible, I use Mac-Like font smoothing on my Vista machine. I just run GDI++ in the background and my fonts are all sexy =D.

Some light reading for you: http://reader.feedshow.com/show_items-feed...0af4f39972ff59a

So all you have to do is run that gditray.exe application in the background and it works? Or is there something I'm missing?

Grand Master

Lee G. Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted
So all you have to do is run that gditray.exe application in the background and it works? Or is there something I'm missing?

Yes, that's pretty much it.

This was posted by someone on another forum, which I found yesterday. This is much better as it's better configured than downloading the version on that site, and the titlebar fonts don't screw up, for example.

http://rapidshare.com/files/119658343/GDI__.zip.html

Here is a preview (I took this earlier when discussing this on IRC)

gdibs9.png

Proficient

Cadium

Posted
Posted
Yes, that's pretty much it.

This was posted by someone on another forum, which I found yesterday. This is much better as it's better configured than downloading the version on that site, and the titlebar fonts don't screw up, for example.

http://rapidshare.com/files/119658343/GDI__.zip.html

Here is a preview (I took this earlier when discussing this on IRC)

gdibs9.png

That looks really good, I think I will have to install this on my Windows-based PCs. :)

Grand Master

Lee G. Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted

By the way, this may come in handy. It's an English translation of the Japanese Readme. It gives instructions on how you can edit the .ini file to change the settings of the program. For example, you can change the font weight, or you can exclude applications from have GDI++ applied to them (some will need to be excluded due to incompatibility), or you can set GDI++ to run on one program (most likely the browser).

Veteran

Wakers

Posted
Posted

I downloaded the rapid share link, and while the fonts look fantastic within the browser, they look very "blotty" in the titlebars, tabs, in the start menu and on right click menu's everywhere within explorer. Are there some settings I should tweak to avoid this?

Veteran

Wakers

Posted
Posted

I've tried all sorts of settings - I just can't get the fonts to look smooth within Explorer or any titlebars within applications, which is a shame. Maybe it doesn't work great with widescreen resolutions? although I can't see why that's the case.

I'll keep for future use though in case it gets any better :)

Grand Master

Lee G. Veteran

Posted
  • Veteran
Posted
I've tried all sorts of settings - I just can't get the fonts to look smooth within Explorer or any titlebars within applications, which is a shame. Maybe it doesn't work great with widescreen resolutions? although I can't see why that's the case.

I'll keep for future use though in case it gets any better :)

You should use 

[ExcludeModule]
explorer.exe

The font smoothing won't be applied to Explorer then.

Mentor

DaViD_BRaNDoN

Posted
Posted
Yes, that's pretty much it.

This was posted by someone on another forum, which I found yesterday. This is much better as it's better configured than downloading the version on that site, and the titlebar fonts don't screw up, for example.

http://rapidshare.com/files/119658343/GDI__.zip.html

Here is a preview (I took this earlier when discussing this on IRC)

gdibs9.png

Wow... The font smoothing looks great!

Mentor

sciguy007

Posted
Posted

so i've been tinkering around with gdi++ and while it works, almost every application i open throws an error of needing msvcr80.dll even though the program opens fine after i click ok. if i stick msvcr80.dll in the system32 directory, then i get a new error saying "Runtime Error R6034 An application has made an attempt to load the C Runtime library incorrectly. Please contact the application support team for more information." has anyone else experienced that when trying to get gdi++ working?

Rookie

belutlah

Posted
  • Author
Posted

>> Dr Broccoli, lcg

Thanks, just what I wanted!

Now I realized what the other Nera in that 2ch thread was talking about. I didn't know he/she/it was answering my question, because I assumed everyone would use the >> pointer when replying.

Well, now, I feel lucky again that I've learnt moonspeak.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Posts

    • Price Drop: Save 86% on Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Plus lifetime digital license

      By News Staff · Posted

      Price Drop: Save 86% on Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Plus lifetime digital license by Steven Parker Today's highlighted deal comes via our Apps + Software section of the Neowin Deals store, where you can save 86% on a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 for Windows. This bundle is for families and small businesses who want classic Office apps and email. It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote. A one-time purchase installed on 1 Windows PC for use at home or work. Lifetime license for MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, & OneNote One-time purchase installed on 1 Windows PC for use at home or work Instant Delivery & Download – access your software license keys and download links instantly Free customer service – only the best support! Microsoft Office Professional 2021 (for Windows) includes: Microsoft Office Word Microsoft Office Excel Microsoft Office PowerPoint Microsoft Office Outlook Microsoft Office Teams Microsoft Office OneNote Microsoft Office Publisher Microsoft Office Access No faffing about with subscriptions, just classic apps that don't expire. Good to Know ONE-TIME PURCHASE INSTALLED ON 1 DEVICE Redemption deadline: redeem your code within 30 days of purchase Access options: desktop Full versions No subscriptions – no monthly/annual fees Version: 2021 Updates included* *Support for this version of Office ends on Oct 13, 2026 A lifetime subscription to Microsoft Office 2021 Professional normally costs $219.99, but this deal can be yours for just $29.97, that's a saving of $190. For full terms, specifications, and license info, click the link below. Get Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for just $29.97, or learn more Although priced in U.S. dollars, this deal is available for digital purchase worldwide. Support queries If you have queries or need support for any of the Neowin Deals, please use the contact form here. Neowin Deals are managed and sold by StackCommerce who represent Neowin on an affiliate basis. Why we post these deals We post these because we earn commission on each sale so as not to rely solely on advertising, which many of our readers block. It all helps toward paying staff reporters, servers and hosting costs. So for those that keep moaning and complaining, be thankful we're still online for you to even do that. Other ways to support Neowin Whitelist Neowin by not blocking our ads Create a free member account to see fewer ads Make a donation to support our day to day running costs Subscribe to Neowin - for $14 a year, or $28 a year for an ad-free experience Disclosure: Neowin benefits from revenue of each sale made through our branded deals site powered by StackCommerce.
    • The Trump administration doesn't want you to use OpenAI's GPT-5.6 without its approval

      By ad47uk · Posted

      The only reason I want to know where you from is because if you are not from the U.K, then why should you care what we in the U.K do or don't do? Racist I am not, I am fed up with the amount coming over here and feel they can come over here and think we need to support them. Do you know how much it costs this country to support these people coming over here? Even when we give them a place to live it is not good enough. We had a barge that was being used to house immigrants, oh but that was not good enough. A mate said to me at the time, when he was homeless, he would have been happy to live on the barge, instead of ending up sleeping on a bench on the beach. I am not scared to say what my family heritage is, unlike you who is scared to say where they are from or where they live. Father side U.S, mother side Wales, still have family living in the U.S. A mate who sadly died a few years ago, had a load of people from different races recording in his studio, I got on with all of them. Skin colour don't bother me, where they are from don't bother me. Religion don't bother me as long as they don't push it onto me and it is not crazy stuff. I am not religious. But if you are not living in the U.K, then why should you care if we are in the E.U or not? This the problem, too many people poking their noses into where it don't belong. But you believe what you believe, if you think I am racist, then be it, I really do not care. Just grow a pair
    • Why it's almost impossible to produce a smartphone in the United States

      By dismuter · Posted

      If he hasn't been able to figure that out, then why is he obsessed with tariffs? Because that's one of the most prominent tools to level the playing field when you have high cost of labor.
    • Microsoft released Windows 11 KB5102558, KB5095615 Setup and Recovery updates

      By hellowalkman · Posted

      Microsoft released Windows 11 KB5102558, KB5095615 Setup and Recovery updates by Sayan Sen This past week Microsoft released the newest preview update (C-release) under KB5095093. Alongside those, Microsoft also released new dynamic updates. For those who may not know, dynamic updates bring improvements to the Windows Recovery process in the form of Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) updates, which are also called Safe OS updates. The dynamic updates also affect the Setup file binaries in the form of Setup updates. These Dynamic Update packages are meant to be applied to existing Windows images prior to their deployment. Dynamic Updates also help preserve Language Pack (LP) and Features on Demand (FODs) content during the upgrade process. VBScript, for example, is currently an FOD on Windows 11 24H2. This time both recovery and setup updates were released for Windows 11. The company writes: "KB5095186: Safe OS Dynamic Update for Windows 11, version 26H1: June 23, 2026 This update makes improvements to the Windows recovery environment (WinRE). After installing this update, the WinRE version installed on the device should be 10.0.28000.2335. KB5102558: Setup Dynamic Update for Windows 11, versions 24H2 and 25H2: June 23, 2026 This update makes improvements to Windows setup binaries or any files that setup uses for feature updates in Windows 11, version 24H2 and Windows 11, version 25H2. KB5095615: Safe OS Dynamic Update for Windows 11, versions 24H2 and 25H2: June 23, 2026 This update makes improvements to the Windows recovery environment (WinRE). After installing this update, the WinRE version installed on the device should be 10.0.26100.8737." Microsoft notes that both the Recovery and Setup updates will be downloaded and installed automatically via the Windows Update channel.
    • Politically funny images of the World

      By +Edouard · Posted

  • Recent Achievements

    • Conversation Starter
      jessse3334 earned a badge
      Conversation Starter
    • Reacting Well
      JuvenileDelinquent earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • One Month Later
      Excellence2025 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Excellence2025 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Week One Done
      flexorcist earned a badge
      Week One Done

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      508
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      200
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      151
    4. 4
      Steven P.
      73
    5. 5
      macoman
      62
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!