Question:

How are the different Kerning Methods available in the Text dialog in OpenRoads SignCAD used?

Answer: Text is entered as normal spacing, conforming to the standard letter spacing for highway fonts. Options are available when allowed by a standard to specify kerning in three ways in addition to Normal spacing: Percent spacing, Specified word length and Maximum word length. 

These kerning methods may be used in the following situations:

• Normal spacing follows the Federal spacing between letters and it is the default Kerning Method.

• Percent spacing adjusts the spacing between letters but does not deform the letters. It may be used to increase or reduce character spacing in a word. In the example below, the R2-5bP sign details show to reduce character spacing 20% for NEIGHBORHOOD (J) to have more space on either side of the word to the border as well as to better fit on the 30" standard sized sign blank. NOTE: The object list will show the percent spacing next to the font name in the object list below the sign when the Percent Spacing kerning method is used.

• Specified length may be used to match the word length based on a sign drawing. If the sign text is modified, then the kerning of the new text will force the word length to the specified value. In the R2-5bP sign details shown above, the specified word length for NEIGHBORHOOD is 26.012 (K = 13.006; 2K = 26.012). NOTE: The object list will show "specified length" next to the font name in the object list below the sign when the Specified Length kerning method is used.

• Maximum word length may be used in signs intended to be typical signs, such as a typical layout for a street sign. The maximum length will help confine the sign size to a maximum allowable length. Shorter legends will have normal spacing. Editing the sign for a longer legend will begin kerning the word so it does not exceed the maximum length. In the example below, the Maximum Length is set to 26" which is less than the normal spacing of 27.6" for NEIGHBORHOOD. The NEIGHBORHOOD character spacing is reduced to fit the 26" maximum length. NOTE: The object list will show "specified length" next to the font name in the object list below the sign when the Maximum Length kerning method is used.