ReadMe for Larger GPL Chat Font, Wilf Tonsmann, Sep 13, 2000

Based on a suggestion by Phil Gammon.

Warning: The files contained herein can be used to modify your GPL installation. Extensive testing has not been performed and it is possible that GPL could crash as a result. Back up your GPL installation before using and USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.


Why a larger font?
==================

People who run GPL at higher resolutions (1280x1024, 1600x1200) have a hard time reading chat while in the car, because the font GPL uses to display chat text becomes so small it is hard to read. 

This simple patch allows you to increase the font size for chat, so that you can read it more easily at higher resolutions.


How does it work?
=================

The trick is to replace the font that GPL uses for in-game chat. It is a file named optx10b.bff, and it is stored in the font.dat file located in the \Sierra\GPL\font directory. This file equates to a 10 point font. 

What I have done is extracted larger versions of this font from elsewhere in the font.dat file, and renamed them to the file name optx10b.bff , so that GPL uses them in place of the standard chat font. 

Specifically:

The directory \12 in the zip file contains a 12 point font file.
 "     "      \14  "  "   "   "      "     " 14  "     "     " .
 "     "      \16  "  "   "   "      "     " 16  "     "     " .
 "     "      \18  "  "   "   "      "     " 18  "     "     " .



How do I install it?
====================

To install, go to the \12 directory, and copy the optx10b.bff file from that directory to the \Sierra\GPL\font directory. Do not remove the font.dat file which normally resides here.

If you like the new font, great, you are done. If you want a font that is larger still, try the one from the \14, \16, or \18 directory.


How do I test it?
=================

You have to be in multi-player mode to test it. The easiest thing to do is to load GPL, pick multiplayer, then host a game. It doesn't matter if no-one else joins your game. Get in the car and type messages to your self. Bigger, huh?

If you like, join a race at VROC and see if you have an easier time reading the messages.



How do I UN-install it?
=======================

If you decide you don't like any of them and you want to go back to the original font, make sure to delete the optx10b.bff file from the \Sierra\GPL\font directory. Normally, the only file in that directory is font.dat .


Known Issues
============

Besides increasing the font of your in-car chat, you will find that the in-pit chat, driver name and camera, and possibly other menus have larger fonts as a result. If you find this annoying, see the un-install procedure above.


For Advanced Credit:
====================

If you have access to the UNPACK utility, you can unpack the entire font.dat file and try renaming other fonts to the standard GPL font file optx10b.bff . If you like things clean and have access to the PACK utility, you can pack the new font you decide on back into the font.dat file. If you do this however, you lose the ability to recover the default font, unless you re-install GPL.


Final Note
==========
Hope this adds enjoyment for all you GPL'ers, a great sim, and a great community.
