Coding My Handwriting (amygoodchild.com)

Article summary

The author created a coding system to replicate their cursive handwriting, building on a previous block script project. They designed a tool to define and output key points in the paths of letters, allowing for variation and adjustment based on neighboring letters. The system uses a combination of Chaikin's curve algorithm and Perlin noise to create a natural, handwritten look. The author plans to use this handwriting for titles, labels, and notes in their diagrams.

Main themes

• Handwriting coding
• Cursive script
• Font design
• Letter connection
• Typography
• Generative art

What commenters say

• The author's approach to coding cursive handwriting is innovative and aesthetically pleasing, but may not perfectly replicate the natural flow of handwritten text.
• The connection between letters in cursive script is context-dependent and requires adjustment based on neighboring letters to achieve a natural look.
• Some commenters disagree on the importance of lifting the pen between letters in cursive writing, with some arguing it is necessary for certain letter combinations.
• The idea of creating a font from the coded handwriting is proposed, but would require significant work to implement, including handling ligatures and kerning.
• Different teaching methods and styles of cursive script can lead to variations in how letters are connected and written.
• The complexity of modeling and replicating human handwriting in code or machine learning is acknowledged, due to its inherent inconsistency and variability.
• Some commenters suggest that encoding letter pairs with special attention to kerning and stroke joining could improve the appearance of certain fonts, particularly for languages with complex letter combinations.
• The challenge of deciphering and recognizing handwritten text, including one's own, is noted, with some suggesting the use of OCR technology to aid in this process.