Using non-ttf fonts or default text in Allegro 5

no-reply@allegro.cc (cantide5ga) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 04:33:44 +0000

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.

no-reply@allegro.cc (SiegeLord) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 04:49:49 +0000

cantide5ga said:

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.

no-reply@allegro.cc (cantide5ga) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 04:57:51 +0000

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:

#SelectExpand
  1#include 
  2#include 
  3#include 
  4
  5int main(int argc, char **argv)
  6{
 ALLEGRO_DISPLAY *display = NULL;

 if(!al_init()) {
    fprintf(stderr, "failed to initialize allegro!\n");
    return -1;
 }

 display = al_create_display(320, 200);
 if(!display) {
    fprintf(stderr, "failed to create display!\n");
    return -1;
 }
 19
 al_init_font_addon();
 
 ALLEGRO_FONT *font = al_load_bitmap_font("a4_font.tga");
 
al_clear_to_color(al_map_rgb(0,0,0));
al_draw_text(font, al_map_rgb(255,255,255), 0,0,0, "");

 al_flip_display();

 al_rest(10.0);

 al_destroy_display(display);

 return 0;
 34}

no-reply@allegro.cc (Peter Wang) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 06:12:32 +0000

You need the image addon to load bitmap fonts. See ex_font.c

no-reply@allegro.cc (cantide5ga) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 06:21:46 +0000

Thank you.