Abstract: A method and apparatus convert font outlines to rasterized bitmaps. The method accesses stored outline data representing an object in a first coordinate space and transforms the outline data to corresponding data representing the object in a second corrdinate space. Regional relationship information is maintained in both corrdinate spaces through a non-linear transformation expressed as a plurality of linear transformation matrices, and a bit map, suitable for displaying the object, is generated as a result of the transformation. The apparatus of the invention analyzes Bezier curves and subdivides them as necessary until each portion is sufficiently flat to be approximated as a straight line, and calculates where line segments cross pixel midlines in order to fill the outline, and then generates the bit map.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for converting font outlines to rasterized bit maps. The method accesses stored outline data representing the object in a first coordinate space and transforms the outline data to corresponding data representing the object in a second coordinate space, maintaining regional relationship information in both coordinate spaces, through a non-linear transformation expressed as a plurality of linear transformation matrices, to generate a bit map suitable for displaying the object.The present invention includes an apparatus to analyze Bezier curves and subdivide them as necessary until each portion is sufficiently flat to be approximated as a straight line, and then to calculate where line segments cross pixel midlines in order to fill the outline and generate the bit map.