# Rendering bitmap fonts from ruby

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/rendering-bitmap-fonts-from-ruby/83472>\
**Category:** Ruby\
**Created:** [January 26, 2007, 1:38pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/rendering-bitmap-fonts-from-ruby/83472 "2007-01-26T13:38:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/casper_the_ghost)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 1:38pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/rendering-bitmap-fonts-from-ruby/83472/1 "2007-01-26T13:38:12Z")

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hi!

i need to generate some bitmap headlines + was wondering if there are  
any ruby libraries for rendering type to bitmaps?

we have a mixed linux/os-x environment, and getting rmagick running  
for everyone looks like a bunch of work. are there any more quick  
install gems out there that have less functionality but will allow me  
to render a headline in a font + size of my choice to a bitmap (JPG  
ideally)?

whats the word on GD library vs imagemagick vis-a-vis playing nice with  
ruby?

thanks!

## /dc

```
  David "DC" Collier

```

[mailto:removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid)  
+81 (0)80 6521 9559  
skype: callto://d3ntaku

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/casper_the_ghost)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 1:44pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/rendering-bitmap-fonts-from-ruby/83472/2 "2007-01-26T13:44:13Z")

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On 26/01/07, dc [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote:

> * * *
> 
> ```
> Pikkle e$B3t<02q<Re(B
> http://www.pikkle.com
> 
> ```
> 
> * * *

Although I haven’t used it (but I’ve looked through the docs) RMagick  
(Ruby bindings for ImageMagick) seems to be really nice to work with.

Farrel

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@casper\_the\_ghost](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/casper_the_ghost)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2007, 2:32pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/rendering-bitmap-fonts-from-ruby/83472/3 "2007-01-26T14:32:23Z")

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indeed rmagick looks good, but the install for both mac + linux looks  
like a couple hours work. i need to keep a half-dozen different  
servers + environments working for this project, (developers in  
different countries/OSs) so really looking for something much simpler.

eg a pure ruby library that would just render type to bitmaps…

/dc

On 26/01/07, Farrel L. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote:

> > ideally)?  
> > skype: callto://d3ntaku  
> > Farrel

## –

```
  David "DC" Collier

```

[mailto:removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid)  
+81 (0)80 6521 9559  
skype: callto://d3ntaku