A4 paper size in groff.

[ximon]

Hi all, just started using an updated version of groff from a RedHat
rpm (1.17.2-7.02.i386). There is a README.A4 file included which
suggests some 2 changes to the DESC file for the postscript driver so
as to accomodate a4 papersize in groff.

The change to the paperlength seems fairly obvious, but the change to
the unitwidth parameter (from 1000 to 970) seems to have some subtle
(possibly unwanted) effects; the Gnu troff manual isn't exactly verbose
upon the effects of changing this parameter either.

So, I tried the suggested settings and everything seemed ok, it wasn't
until I used afm2dit to create a fontwidth file that I noticed
something amiss. The character widths had all been made slightly
smaller -- about 3 percent, which coincidentally is the amount of
width reduction required from letter to a4 papersizes (1000 to 970
unitwidth).

I examined the resulting postscript for lower values of the unitwidth
parameter and found that even for existing (1000 unitwidth) fonts, that
the kerning values were decreasing thus leading to tighter
letterspacing. So for a fontwidth file that has been generated using a
970 unitwidth parameter in the DESC file, the effects will be doubled
(closely set type set closer).

I'm not sure that this is the correct way to accomodate a4 paper in
groff, previously I have just set the linelength accordingly. It would
seem that the 970 unitwidth setting is just the job for producing a4
copies of documents that have been prepared for letter size paper (the
lines would have exactly the same width content) or for ease of use of
various macros.

I hope that I haven't misunderstood what is happening with this
unitwidth parameter change, if anyone would like to share their
thoughts it would be appreciated.

ximon.

[Rich Teer]

On Sat, 18 May 2002, ximon wrote:

> I'm not sure that this is the correct way to accomodate a4 paper in
> groff, previously I have just set the linelength accordingly. It would
> seem that the 970 unitwidth setting is just the job for producing a4
> copies of documents that have been prepared for letter size paper (the
> lines would have exactly the same width content) or for ease of use of
> various macros.

I've not tried it, but I think your idea of adjusting the line length
is the right one.

--
Rich Teer

President,
Rite Online Inc.

Voice: +1 (250) 979-1638
URL: http://www.rite-online.net

[Ralph Corderoy]

Hi ximon,

> Hi all, just started using an updated version of groff from a RedHat
> rpm (1.17.2-7.02.i386). There is a README.A4 file included which
> suggests some 2 changes to the DESC file for the postscript driver so
> as to accomodate a4 papersize in groff.
>
> The change to the paperlength seems fairly obvious, but the change to
> the unitwidth parameter (from 1000 to 970) seems to have some subtle
> (possibly unwanted) effects; the Gnu troff manual isn't exactly verbose
> upon the effects of changing this parameter either.

I've not heard of changing unitwidth before, just DESC's paperlength.
README.A4 isn't part of the groff distribution, sounds like something
Red Hat have added.

I'd ignore the unitwidth comment. Only DESC needs changing according to
this semi-FAQ on the groff mailing list.

> I'm not sure that this is the correct way to accomodate a4 paper in
> groff, previously I have just set the linelength accordingly.

Yep, that's sufficient. Or -ma4 will do some of it for you. Look at
its source for more info.

Also consider asking the groff list for these specific questions.

http://ffii.org/mailman/listinfo/groff/

Cheers,

Ralph.