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Correct answer Barb Binder

Yes. What is the question?

And here is a blog post I wrote on them from a few years ago:

https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-working-with-spaces/

3 replies

J
JustBob
Inspiring
May 24, 2017

>>>The size of a typeface is calculated from the top of the ascenders to the bottom on the descenders

True, unless, of course, the capital letter is taller than the ascender for a particular typeface. And, in hot metal type, I believe it was the actual size of the lead, yes?

    Derek Cross
    Community Expert
    Derek CrossCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 24, 2017

    Typeface designs vary, but with some typefaces the ascenders of lower case letters are slightly higher than the capital letters. There is also a slight bevel in metal type to prevent descenders and ascenders touching. There are a few typefaces that consist of capital letters only, so these vary in size from the norm and don't have the "shoulder" where the descenders would normally be.

    Leading (line spacing) is additional.

      Barb Binder
      Community Expert
      Barb BinderCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      November 16, 2016

      Yes. What is the question?

      And here is a blog post I wrote on them from a few years ago:

      https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-working-with-spaces/

      ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
        Derek Cross
        Community Expert
        Derek CrossCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        November 16, 2016

        Good info, except a thin space is normally considered a fifth of an em and an em is not the width of a capital M, for example imagine a condensed face.

        J
        JustBob
        Inspiring
        May 23, 2017

        >>>an em is not the width of a capital M,

        Funny, but I was taught in school that an "em" space was equal to the width of a capital "M" and an "en" space was equal to a capital "N".

        And, the point size is the height of the lead that must account for ascenders, descenders and capital letters.

        I see that Wikipedia defines the em as the point size, but then why not just call it that. I think my teachers had it right; but then, we almost all take ofter our teachers, don't we?

        Derek Cross
        Community Expert
        Derek CrossCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        November 16, 2016

        What's the issue?

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