Helvetica and Times Roman Font Substitutions in Windows 3.00 (68536)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.0
  • Microsoft Windows 3.0a
This article was previously published under Q68536

SUMMARY

Microsoft Windows version 3.0 recognizes six different font family names. These font family names are:

  • Dontcare
  • Decorative
  • Modern
  • Roman
  • Script
  • Swiss
When you select a font in Windows, Windows attempts to use a screen font of the same family for display and printing. The printer font name and the screen font name may be different, although the printed output does appear the same as the font on the screen.

MORE INFORMATION

This is because both fonts belong to the same font family. The following is a list of fonts that belong to the same font family: 
Font Family     Bitstream    Canon    Adobe        HP
-----------     ---------    -----    -----        --

Swiss (Helv)    Swiss        Swiss    Helvetica    Universe
Roman (Tms Rmn) Dutch        Dutch    Times Roman  CG Times
An example where this might cause some confusion is if you type the font name Helvetica in a Windows applications printing to a Hewlett-Packard (HP) LaserJet III and the printed output resembles Helvetica even though Helvetica is not a font supported on this printer. This behavior occurs because the driver interprets the request for Helvetica and selects Universe on the printer.

There are similar fonts with different names because these font names are copyrighted. Windows uses the Helv font name for Swiss family screen fonts and the Tms Rmn font name for Roman family screen fonts.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit," Reference -- Volume 1, pages 2-29, 2-30, and 2-36 to 2-39.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/7/2005
Keywords:KB68536
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.