[tex-live] `BoldFont' feature for XeTeX?

[Jonathan Kew]

On 4 Mar 2008, at 7:39 am, Werner LEMBERG wrote:

>
> Jonathan,
>
>
> I have been asked whether you can implement a `BoldFont' feature
> similar to the `SlantFont' feature already part of XeTeX.  For CJK
> fonts such an option can be very useful.  Currently, we are emulating
> it with
>
>   \special{pdf: literal direct 0.5 w 2 Tr}
>
> but a native XeTeX solution would be better.

I've avoided trying to implement a "synthetic bold" feature on the  
grounds that it's likely to be far inferior to a true bold face.  
While word processors and web browsers may get away with  
algorithmically thickening strokes to create a "bold" effect, I don't  
think it's something to encourage in quality typesetting.

However, I can see that it could be useful at times, when there  
aren't true styled fonts available; I'll try to look into the  
possibilities.

JK