Neovide: Different Font Sizes For Multiple Languages

Hey guys! Let's dive into a feature request that could seriously level up our Neovide experience. This article will discuss a common issue and a potential solution that many users have been asking for. We'll explore how setting different font sizes can improve readability and aesthetics, especially when dealing with multiple languages. So, buckle up and let's get started!

The Problem: Font Size Discrepancies

When using different fonts for various languages, a common issue arises: font size discrepancies. You might have noticed this, especially if you're working with a mix of English and Chinese characters. As the user pointed out, Chinese words often appear taller than their English counterparts, even when using the same font size setting. This is because different character sets have different inherent heights and widths. Think about it – the complexity of Chinese characters compared to the simplicity of the English alphabet naturally leads to these visual differences.

In the example provided, the user is using "Courier New" for English and "Source Han Sans CN ExtraLight" for Chinese. The screenshot clearly illustrates that the Chinese characters appear more prominent, disrupting the visual harmony of the text. This isn't just a minor cosmetic issue; it can actually impact readability and overall user experience. When the font sizes are mismatched, the text can look unbalanced, making it harder to focus and read comfortably. This discrepancy highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to font size settings in Neovide. We want our code and text to look crisp and clean, no matter the language!

To truly understand the impact, let's delve deeper into why this happens. Different fonts are designed with varying metrics, including ascenders, descenders, and x-heights. Ascenders are the parts of letters that extend above the main body (like the top of 'h' or 'b'), while descenders extend below the baseline (like the tail of 'g' or 'p'). X-height refers to the height of lowercase letters like 'x' or 'a'. These metrics vary significantly between fonts, and even within the same font family, different weights (like ExtraLight, Regular, or Bold) can have slight variations. When you combine fonts from different families, these differences become even more pronounced. The result? A visual imbalance that can be distracting and tiring on the eyes. The key here is to find a way to harmonize these differences, ensuring that all text, regardless of language, appears proportional and easy to read. This is where the proposed solution of setting different sizes for different fonts comes into play. By having this level of control, we can fine-tune our Neovide setup to achieve optimal readability and a visually pleasing aesthetic.

The Proposed Solution: Individual Font Size Settings

The suggested solution is both elegant and practical: allow users to set different sizes for each font. This means we could specify a particular size for our primary font (e.g., English) and then a separate size for our fallback fonts (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, or Korean). The user provided a great example of how this could look in the vim.o.guifont setting:

vim.o.guifont = "Courier New:h22,Source Han Sans CN ExtraLight,PingFang SC:h20:#h-slight"

In this snippet, "Courier New" is set to a height of 22, while "Source Han Sans CN ExtraLight" and "PingFang SC" are set to 20. The #h-slight part likely refers to hinting, which is another important aspect of font rendering that can affect readability. Hinting is a technique used to optimize fonts for display on screens, especially at smaller sizes. It helps to ensure that the characters appear crisp and clear, even when the pixels are limited. By allowing different sizes for different fonts, we gain the flexibility to fine-tune the appearance of our text to perfection.

This approach directly addresses the problem of font size discrepancies. By reducing the size of the Chinese font in the example, we can visually balance it with the English font, creating a more harmonious and readable display. Think of it like adjusting the volume on different instruments in an orchestra – you want each instrument to be heard clearly, but you also want them to blend together seamlessly. Similarly, with fonts, we want each character set to be legible, but we also want the overall text to look cohesive and balanced. This level of granularity in font size settings empowers users to customize their Neovide experience to their specific needs and preferences.

Furthermore, this solution aligns with how other applications handle font settings. The user highlighted iTerm2 on macOS as an example, which allows separate size settings for the main font and fallback fonts. This consistency across different applications is a huge plus. Users who are already familiar with this approach in iTerm2 will feel right at home in Neovide. It also demonstrates that this is a proven and effective way to manage font sizes in a multi-lingual environment. The implementation might involve modifying the Neovide configuration system to accommodate these new settings, but the core concept is straightforward and well-understood. The benefits, in terms of improved readability and user experience, are substantial.

iTerm2's Implementation: A Case Study

Looking at how iTerm2 handles this feature provides valuable insights. The user included a screenshot of iTerm2's font settings, which clearly shows separate fields for setting the main font and the non-ASCII font. This is a clean and intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to understand and configure their font preferences. The key takeaway here is the separation of settings, allowing users to independently control the size and style of different fonts.

In iTerm2, you can specify a primary font for your regular text and then designate a separate font for characters that fall outside the ASCII range, such as Chinese, Japanese, or Korean characters. This is crucial because, as we've discussed, these character sets often have different visual characteristics that require specific adjustments. By providing separate size settings, iTerm2 ensures that all text appears balanced and legible. This approach avoids the one-size-fits-all mentality that can lead to readability issues when dealing with multiple languages.

Thinking about how Neovide could adopt a similar approach, we could envision a configuration panel with distinct sections for different font settings. Perhaps a primary font section where you can specify the font family, size, and style for your main language (likely English for most users). Then, a fallback fonts section where you can add fonts for other languages and set their sizes independently. This would provide a clear and organized way for users to manage their font preferences. It's also worth considering the user experience of adding new fallback fonts. A simple and intuitive interface for selecting fonts from the system and assigning them specific sizes would be essential for making this feature user-friendly. The iTerm2 example serves as a great model for how this can be implemented effectively.

Alternatives Considered and Why They Fall Short

The user mentioned that they haven't considered any alternatives, which speaks to the directness and effectiveness of the proposed solution. It's a testament to the fact that adjusting font sizes individually is the most logical and intuitive way to address the problem of font size discrepancies. However, let's briefly explore why other potential solutions might not be as effective.

One alternative might be to rely on font ligatures or stylistic sets to try and visually harmonize different character sets. Ligatures are special characters that combine two or more letters into a single glyph, often used to improve readability or aesthetics. Stylistic sets are variations within a font that can alter the appearance of certain characters. While these techniques can be useful in specific cases, they don't address the fundamental issue of size differences. Ligatures and stylistic sets primarily focus on the shape and appearance of individual characters, not their overall size relative to other characters. So, they wouldn't be a suitable solution for the problem at hand.

Another approach could be to try and find fonts that are specifically designed to work well together across different languages. This is certainly a valid strategy, and there are font pairings that can yield good results. However, it's not always feasible or desirable. Users might have specific font preferences for their coding environment, and they shouldn't be forced to compromise on their favorite fonts just to address the size discrepancy issue. The beauty of the proposed solution is that it allows users to use the fonts they prefer while still maintaining a balanced and readable display.

Ultimately, the most effective way to address font size discrepancies is to provide users with the control to adjust font sizes individually. This is a targeted and precise solution that directly addresses the problem without requiring workarounds or compromises. It's also a flexible solution that can accommodate a wide range of user preferences and language combinations. That's why the proposed feature of setting different sizes for different fonts is the most sensible and user-friendly approach.

Additional Context and Benefits

Beyond the immediate benefit of improved readability, this feature request has broader implications for the Neovide user experience. It's about creating a more customizable and personalized environment where users can tailor the editor to their specific needs and preferences. By empowering users to fine-tune their font settings, we're giving them greater control over the visual aspects of their coding environment. This can lead to a more comfortable and productive workflow.

Consider the scenario of a developer working on a project that involves multiple languages, such as code comments in English and documentation in Chinese. With the ability to set different font sizes, they can ensure that both the code and the documentation are displayed in a clear and legible manner. This reduces eye strain and makes it easier to switch between different parts of the project. It's a small change that can make a big difference in the overall user experience.

Furthermore, this feature aligns with the general philosophy of Neovide, which is to provide a modern and visually appealing Neovim GUI. By incorporating features that enhance the visual experience, we're reinforcing Neovide's position as a top-tier editor for discerning users. It's about paying attention to the details and creating a polished and professional environment for coding. The ability to customize font sizes is just one piece of the puzzle, but it's an important piece that contributes to the overall quality and appeal of Neovide.

In conclusion, the feature request to allow different sizes for different fonts is a valuable and practical suggestion that would significantly improve the Neovide user experience. It addresses a common issue faced by users working with multiple languages and provides a straightforward solution that is both intuitive and effective. By adopting this feature, Neovide can further enhance its reputation as a customizable and user-friendly editor, attracting and retaining a loyal user base. Let's hope the developers take note and consider implementing this enhancement in a future release! This would be a fantastic addition!