Character horizontal position issue

[sPretzel]

Hi,

I select a font like Arial Regular and type a character "A" (upper case) with the Type Tool (24 pt). I right align it and position it at x=1 in (right reference point). Then I change the character to "F". The position of type is now x=0.983 in. Why is that? I expect x to remain 1 in.

This is for CS4.

Thanks.

[pixxxelschubser]

Different characters did have different widths, especially the uppercase "I" and "M".

Do you have the same problem with a Monospace font?

[sPretzel]

I understand that, but when I set a reference point and the character is right aligned, I don't expect the right reference point to shift horizontally. The character should get closer to or farther from the reference point, not the other way round!

In my opinion, this is either a bug or a poor implementation in Illustrator.

Is there are way around it, other that creating area type?

[pixxxelschubser]

No.

That is how a "normal" letter "works.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Em_(typography)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerning

[sPretzel]

Again, I understand that. But kerning and tracking are irrelevant here as I am referring to the reference point that positions type. If the character itself or kerning or tracking are changed, that should not affect the reference point (the little anchor dot that is used to positio type), the character should adjust its own position with respect to the dot. That's my point.

The result is that I am unable to position type with the anchor point as it moves depending on the character!

If Adobe defines the reference point in the way I see it behave, please refer me to the appropriate document (if there is one).

[pixxxelschubser]

Please show something. For me that is a normal behaviour.

[sPretzel]

I am referring to the red anchor dot (that I called reference point) in the image you posted. Given that it's on the right, the text must be right aligned.

Copy the top type (which is character A) and paste it underneath, then align it with the top type (align to the right). At this point in time, you have A at the top and another A below it. Now in the type you just copied/pasted/aligned, change the character from A to F. If you look at the red anchor dot, its horizontal position is no longer the same as A.

For me, this is not "normal behaviour". Everything else I see in the image you posted is normal and part of the font (like A extending beyond the red anchor dot or F being slightly behind it).

[pixxxelschubser]

That is exactly what I did for the screenshot …

• write an "A"
• align to right
• drag a guide to the "reference point"
• duplicate to underneath (exactly vertical)
• in the lower object change the letter to "F"

[sPretzel]

In that case, check the X position of the red anchor dot (not visually, check the numbers). It is different for A and F. That is the problem.

[Ton Frederiks]

Depends on the typeface.

[pixxxelschubser · Accepted solution]

How did you check the X-position?

By Smart Guides?

By script?

Try:

// select a right aligned pointtext text frame with only one character
// then run this script snippet
var aSel = activeDocument.selection;
$.writeln (aSel[0].anchor)

Both text frames shows the same value in X-position.

By Direct Selection Tool and Transform Panel?

You cannot select the "point text path point" anchor for an "A" in that way. That only shows the (right side) X-position of the point text text frame. Because of the "point text path point" is left next to the visible bounds and/or the right position of the text frame.

[sPretzel]

You're right! I can't believe this is so: "You cannot select the "point text path point" anchor in that way". But it is.

I was mistaken about the "point text path point". If I can't use that point for positioning, or if I have to use smart guides for that, it really takes away much of its value.

Thanks pixxxel_schubser.

[pixxxelschubser]

Puh. "That was a really hard birth." (German "flying words")

🙂

You can work with the anchor:

• by script or mostly
• if the anchor is not in between the visible bounds of the character. But only in that case!

Hope so it it clear now for you.

Have fun

😉

[sPretzel]

Well, it wasn't good news!

Upon further tinkering, it seems that if I create the type and when it is still empty (no character), the position is that of the "point text path point" (anchor). To position it precisely, I would have to position it with an empty character. As soon as I enter a character, then the position I read is that of the character but the anchor stays put (in my initial post, I thought the anchor was moving horizontally but thanks to our conversation, I understood that I was wrong).