Converting .ttf fonts into .bbf is confusing / cannot be done

[skyycode-0]

Hey there, I have stumbled upon your library for interfacing with e-paper displays and it's a joy to use. Currently, I need custom fonts in order to improve my project's UI aspect and readability. But, with the current lack of more detailed documentation on how to do so, I am stuck. If possible, could there be more detail on how to convert these fonts into your format?

[bitbank2]

You're right - there isn't a clear set of instructions for converting fonts - thanks for pointing this out. The tool is there and it's quite easy to use. If you go into the fontconvert directory in the bb_epaper repo you can make the fontconvert tool (easy on Linux + MacOS, not sure on Windows). Once you've built it, simply run it for instructions:
Usage: ./fontconvert <in.ttf> <out.bbf or out.h> point_size [first_char] [last_char] [rotation (90/180/270)]
e.g.
./fontconvert Roboto-Black.ttf Roboto-Black-80.bbf 80 32 127

I'll add instructions to the README for bb_epaper and FastEPD to prevent future confusion.

[skyycode-0]

I thank you for taking the time to reply, but when I read the description within the main.c, it says that it requires the freetype library. I downloaded the library, put it in the fontconvert folder, and it doesn't run.

Side question, how do you run / compile / build the tool in windows? Running the main.c with minGW64 brings up an error that says ft2build.h cannot be found, even if the library is within the folder already. Or am I led astray?

[bitbank2]

I'm sorry, but I haven't used Windows in many years and it would probably be complicated to make use of freetype. On Linux and MacOS (with Homebrew), you install freetype with the package manager and link it. Placing a compiled version of the freetype library may work on Windows, but I couldn't say. I suppose it would be possible to rewrite the font converter in Python or Javascript to make it more portable, but I'm not the right person to do it. I can offer you this - if you email me the font file and tell me the size and character range, I'll convert it for you and email it back (bitbank@pobox.com).

[skyycode-0]

Oh the pains of Windows, I understand the sentiment. I appreciate the instructions on how to do it on Linux. I'll try it later on my other laptop. In the mean time, I'll email you in a bit. Thank you for this offer, by the way. :)

[NiKiZe]

WSL2 on windows is perfect for cases like this ;)