I only need basic text output in a low resolution, 4-bit display. I gather from my readings that Allegro previously had a default font. Does it still?
Assuming I would have to load my own, I find vgasys.fon (common on Windows systems) to be just fine. Note it is not a TTF. If I have to resort to this moving forward, how could I use this minimal font? Utilizing TTF routines not only seems unnecessary, it also does a terrible job at display a .FON. I'm assuming because it is not supported.
Does it still?
No. You can load bitmap fonts, however using al_load_bitmap_font. There is a bitmap font that you can find in the examples/data directory. I think it's called a4font.tga or something.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think you are referring to a4_font.tga.
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
EDIT
I'm getting this thrown when setting the first parameter in the al_draw_text routine as type ALLEGRO_FONT:
Assertion fail: font, file allegro-5.0.x\addons\font\text.c, line 73
Generic example of what I am doing:
You need the image addon to load bitmap fonts. See ex_font.c
Thank you.