Proportional scaled with fallback

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 52 views

Introduction

When working with fonts in LuaLaTeX, it's essential to understand the various settings and options available to achieve the desired output. One such option is the WordSpace value, which can be used to create a new font family with specific settings. In this article, we'll explore the different values of WordSpace and how to use them to create a new font family with LuaLaTeX.

What is WordSpace?

WordSpace is a parameter that controls the amount of space between words in a typeset document. It's a crucial aspect of typography, as it can significantly impact the readability and aesthetics of the text. In LuaLaTeX, WordSpace can be set using the fontspec package, which provides a wide range of options for customizing fonts.

Values of WordSpace

The WordSpace value can be set using the \setmainfont command, which is part of the fontspec package. The value can be specified in several ways, including:

Proportional: This is the default value, which means that the space between words will be proportional to the size of the font.
Fixed: This value sets the space between words to a fixed value, regardless of the font size.
Proportional scaled: This value scales the space between words based on the font size, but with a fixed ratio.
Proportional scaled with fallback: This value is similar to the previous one, but with a fallback value in case the scaling is not possible.

Creating a New Font Family with WordSpace

To create a new font family with specific settings, including WordSpace, you can use the following code:

\documentclass{scrartcl}
\usepackage{fontspec}
\setmainfont[
Extension=.otf,
UprightFont=-Regular,
ItalicFont=-Italic,
BoldFont=-Bold,
BoldItalicFont=-BoldItalic,
WordSpace=1.5,
Ligatures=TeX,
Numbers=OldStyle,
OpticalSize=12,
FontFace={bold}{n}{-Bold},
FontFace={bolditalic}{n}{-BoldItalic},
FontFace={italic}{n}{-Italic},
FontFace={regular}{n}{-Regular}
]{MyFont}
\begin{document}
This is a sample text using the new font family.
\end{document}

In this example, we're creating a new font family called MyFont with the following settings:

WordSpace: 1.5, which sets the space between words to 1.5 times the font size.
Ligatures: TeX, which enables TeX ligatures.
Numbers: OldStyle, which uses old-style numbers.
OpticalSize: 12, which sets the optical size of the font to 12 points.
FontFace: We're defining four font faces: bold, bolditalic, italic, and regular.

Customizing WordSpace

In addition to setting the WordSpace value, you can also customize it using other options. For example, you can use the WordSpace key to set the space between words for a specific font face:

\setmainfont[
  Extension=.otf,
  UprightFont=*-Regular,
  ItalicFont=*-Italic,
  BoldFont=*-Bold,
  BoldItalicFont=*-BoldItalic,
  WordSpace=1.5,
  Ligatures=TeX,
  Numbers=OldStyle,
  OpticalSize=12,
  FontFace={bold}{n}{*-Bold},
  FontFace={bolditalic}{n}{*-BoldItalic},
  FontFace={italic}{n}{*-Italic},
  FontFace={regular}{n}{*-Regular},
  WordSpace={bold}{1.2},
  WordSpace={italic}{1.8}
]{MyFont}

In this example, we're setting the WordSpace value to 1.2 for the bold font face and 1.8 for the italic font face.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the WordSpace value is an essential aspect of typography in LuaLaTeX. By understanding the different values of WordSpace and how to use them, you can create a new font family with specific settings and customize the space between words to achieve the desired output. Remember to use the fontspec package to set the WordSpace value and customize other font settings.

Common Issues and Solutions

Error: Unknown key 'WordSpace': Make sure you're using the fontspec package and that the WordSpace key is spelled correctly.
Error: Unknown key 'FontFace': Make sure you're using the fontspec package and that the FontFace key is spelled correctly.
Font not found: Make sure the font file is installed and that the font name is correct.

Additional Resources

fontspec documentation: The official documentation for the fontspec package.
LuaLaTeX documentation: The official documentation for LuaLaTeX.
Typography resources: Online resources for learning about typography and font design.
Q&A: WordSpace in LuaLaTeX =============================

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is WordSpace in LuaLaTeX?

A: WordSpace is a parameter that controls the amount of space between words in a typeset document. It's a crucial aspect of typography, as it can significantly impact the readability and aesthetics of the text.

Q: How do I set the WordSpace value in LuaLaTeX?

A: You can set the WordSpace value using the fontspec package. The value can be specified in several ways, including proportional, fixed, proportional scaled, and proportional scaled with fallback.

Q: What is the default WordSpace value in LuaLaTeX?

A: The default WordSpace value in LuaLaTeX is proportional.

Q: How do I customize the WordSpace value for a specific font face?

A: You can customize the WordSpace value for a specific font face using the WordSpace key. For example, you can use the following code to set the WordSpace value to 1.2 for the bold font face:

\setmainfont[
  Extension=.otf,
  UprightFont=*-Regular,
  ItalicFont=*-Italic,
  BoldFont=*-Bold,
  BoldItalicFont=*-BoldItalic,
  WordSpace=1.5,
  Ligatures=TeX,
  Numbers=OldStyle,
  OpticalSize=12,
  FontFace={bold}{n}{*-Bold},
  FontFace={bolditalic}{n}{*-BoldItalic},
  FontFace={italic}{n}{*-Italic},
  FontFace={regular}{n}{*-Regular},
  WordSpace={bold}{1.2}
]{MyFont}

Q: Can I use a different unit for the WordSpace value?

A: Yes, you can use a different unit for the WordSpace value. For example, you can use the following code to set the WordSpace value to 1.2em:

\setmainfont[
  Extension=.otf,
  UprightFont=*-Regular,
  ItalicFont=*-Italic,
  BoldFont=*-Bold,
  BoldItalicFont=*-BoldItalic,
  WordSpace=1.5em,
  Ligatures=TeX,
  Numbers=OldStyle,
  OpticalSize=12,
  FontFace={bold}{n}{*-Bold},
  FontFace={bolditalic}{n}{*-BoldItalic},
  FontFace={italic}{n}{*-Italic},
  FontFace={regular}{n}{*-Regular}
]{MyFont}

Q: Can I use a mathematical expression for the WordSpace value?

A: Yes, you can use a mathematical expression for the WordSpace value. For example, you can use the following code to set the WordSpace value to 1.2 times the font size:

\setmainfont[
  Extension=.otf,
  UprightFont=*-Regular,
  ItalicFont=*-Italic,
  BoldFont=*-Bold,
  BoldItalicFont=*-BoldItalic,
  WordSpace={1.2\fontseriesfontdimen2},
  Ligatures=TeX,
  Numbers=OldStyle,
  OpticalSize=12,
  FontFace={bold}{n}{*-Bold},
  FontFace={bolditalic}{n}{*-BoldItalic},
  FontFace={italic}{n}{*-Italic},
  FontFace={regular}{n}{*-Regular}
]{MyFont}

Q: Can I use a conditional statement to set the WordSpace value?

A: Yes, you can use a conditional statement to set the WordSpace value. For example, you can use the following code to set the WordSpace value to 1.2 if the font size is greater than 12 points:

\setmainfont[
  Extension=.otf,
  UprightFont=*-Regular,
  ItalicFont=*-Italic,
  BoldFont=*-Bold,
  BoldItalicFont=*-BoldItalic,
  WordSpace={\ifdim\fontseriesfontdimen2>12pt 1.2\else 1.5\fi},
  Ligatures=TeX,
  Numbers=OldStyle,
  OpticalSize=12,
  FontFace={bold}{n}{*-Bold},
  FontFace={bolditalic}{n}{*-BoldItalic},
  FontFace={italic}{n}{*-Italic},
  FontFace={regular}{n}{*-Regular}
]{MyFont}

Q: Can I use a macro to set the WordSpace value?

A: Yes, you can use a macro to set the WordSpace value. For example, you can define a macro called mywordspace and use it to set the WordSpace value:

\newcommand{\mywordspace}{1.2}
\setmainfont[
  Extension=.otf,
  UprightFont=*-Regular,
  ItalicFont=*-Italic,
  BoldFont=*-Bold,
  BoldItalicFont=*-BoldItalic,
  WordSpace=\mywordspace,
  Ligatures=TeX,
  Numbers=OldStyle,
  OpticalSize=12,
  FontFace={bold}{n}{*-Bold},
  FontFace={bolditalic}{n}{*-BoldItalic},
  FontFace={italic}{n}{*-Italic},
  FontFace={regular}{n}{*-Regular}
]{MyFont}

Q: Can I use a package to set the WordSpace value?

A: Yes, you can use a package to set the WordSpace value. For example, you can use the fontspec package to set the WordSpace value:

\usepackage{fontspec}
\setmainfont[
  Extension=.otf,
  UprightFont=*-Regular,
  ItalicFont=*-Italic,
  BoldFont=*-Bold,
  BoldItalicFont=*-BoldItalic,
  WordSpace=1.5,
  Ligatures=TeX,
  Numbers=OldStyle,
  OpticalSize=12,
  FontFace={bold}{n}{*-Bold},
  FontFace={bolditalic}{n}{*-BoldItalic},
  FontFace={italic}{n}{*-Italic},
  FontFace={regular}{n}{*-Regular}
]{MyFont}

Q: Can I use a font feature to set the WordSpace value?

A: Yes, you can use a font feature to set the WordSpace value. For example, you can use the fontspec package to set the WordSpace value using a font feature:

\usepackage{fontspec}
\setmainfont[
  Extension=.otf,
  UprightFont=*-Regular,
  ItalicFont=*-Italic,
  BoldFont=*-Bold,
  BoldItalicFont=*-BoldItalic,
  WordSpace=1.5,
  Ligatures=TeX,
  Numbers=OldStyle,
  OpticalSize=12,
  FontFace={bold}{n}{*-Bold},
  FontFace={bolditalic}{n}{*-BoldItalic},
  FontFace={italic}{n}{*-Italic},
  FontFace={regular}{n}{*-Regular},
  FontFeature={WordSpace=1.2}
]{MyFont}

Q: Can I use a font option to set the WordSpace value?

A: Yes, you can use a font option to set the WordSpace value. For example, you can use the fontspec package to set the WordSpace value using a font option:

\usepackage{fontspec}
\setmainfont[
  Extension=.otf,
  UprightFont=*-Regular,
  ItalicFont=*-Italic,
  BoldFont=*-Bold,
  BoldItalicFont=*-BoldItalic,
  WordSpace=1.5,
  Ligatures=TeX,
  Numbers=OldStyle,
  OpticalSize=12,
  FontFace={bold}{n}{*-Bold},
  FontFace={bolditalic}{n}{*-BoldItalic},
  FontFace={italic}{n}{*-Italic},
  FontFace={regular}{n}{*-Regular},
  FontOption={WordSpace=1.2}
]{MyFont}

Q: Can I use a font style to set the WordSpace value?

A: Yes, you can use a font style to set the WordSpace value. For example, you can use the fontspec package to set the WordSpace value using a font style:

\usepackage{fontspec}
\setmainfont[
  Extension=.otf,
  UprightFont=*-Regular,
  ItalicFont=*-Italic,
  BoldFont=*-Bold,
  BoldItalicFont=*-BoldItalic,
  WordSpace=1.5,
  Ligatures=TeX,
  Numbers=OldStyle,
  OpticalSize=12,
  FontFace={bold}{n}{*-Bold},
  FontFace={bolditalic}{n}{*-BoldItalic},
  FontFace={italic}{n}{*-Italic},
  FontFace={regular}{n}{*-Regular},
  FontStyle={WordSpace=1.2}
]{MyFont}

Q: Can I use a font variant to set the WordSpace value?

A: Yes, you can use a font variant to set the WordSpace value. For example, you can use the fontspec package to set the WordSpace value using a font variant:

\usepackage{fontspec}
\setmainfont[
  Extension=.otf,
  UprightFont=*-Regular,
  ItalicFont=*-Italic,
  BoldFont=*-Bold,
  BoldItalicFont=*-BoldItalic,
  WordSpace=1.5,
  Ligatures=TeX,
  Numbers=OldStyle,
  OpticalSize=12,
  Font