Increasing UI Text Size in Painter?

[Jinbrown]

Hi,

You don't say what platform or OS version you're using, but I'll tell you how to change the font size in WinXP Home SP2:

Start > Control Panel > Display

Click the Appearance tab and at the bottom, you'll see the Font Size: drop down list with three options:

Normal
Extra Large
Large

I have a 19" monitor set to a screen resolution of 1280 x 1024 and use Font Size: Normal.

It's on the small side for my tired old eyes, but I can work with it (especially if I get my glasses updated). Anything larger might mess up the font display on palettes in Painter (not sure it would but don't want to bother taking a chance).

Also, I'd expect if you change your screen resolution down a notch (lower resolution) it might help. At least it might be worth a try if you can do that easily, then change it back if it doesn't help, on your platform and OS version.

NOTE: Be sure to close all programs before changing your screen resolution as it can mess things up if you don't.


Good luck!

[LDiehl]

Jinbrown: I'm running Windows XP SP2 as well ...I've got the text size set to Extra Large, but it doesn't seem to effect Painter. I've got a 24" Gateway monitor running at 1920x1200 and the text for the palettes in Painter is still tiny.

I don't want to lower my screen resolution, as I love the way it lets me display more of a given painting on the screen at once! I just want to be able to read the choices on Painter's palettes without getting a headache.

[Jinbrown]

Hi again,

One other thing you might try is to use the Windows Magnifier:

Start > All Programs > Accessories > Accessibility > Magnifier

Personally, I'd find that method more annoying than just lowering my screen resolution down one notch. It displays an enlarged view across the top of the screen, wherever you place your cursor, of that area across the entire screen. Of course that takes up some space on the screen, even if you adjust that window's height down a bit. Also, it's distracting because the display keeps changing as you move your cursor. I've only tried it once or twice in the past and never bothered to explore the possibilities but today, I noticed when it's running, there are several setting options to choose from.

It can't hurt to try it, and you might find it works for you.

[LDiehl]

Jinbrown: Thanks for the further suggestion. I actually have the magnifier feature built into my mouse (one of the side buttons)...The problem being that I don't want to mess with it when I've got the Wacom out and I'm painting... I guess the only solution is to lower the resolution when I'm painting in Painter, which is a shame because that is the whole reason I wanted an HD monitor to start with. Is Painter X any better for this issue?

[Jinbrown]

Screen prints from Painter X.1:

The maximum resolution I can use with my monitor is 1280 x 1024.

1280 x 1024 Font Size: Normal

http://www.pixelalley.com/demos/1280x1024_fontsize_normal.jpg


1280 x 1024 Font Size: Large

http://www.pixelalley.com/demos/1280x1024_fontsize_large.jpg


1280 x 1024 Font Size: Extra Large

http://www.pixelalley.com/demos/1280x1024_fontsize_extralarge.jpg


Screen resolution reduced to 1152 x 864 Font Size: Extra Large

http://www.pixelalley.com/demos/1152%20x%20864_fontsize_extralarge.jpg


Notice only the palette menu text size changes. The palettes remain the same size as does the rest of the text on the palettes.

I could do some more checking and post screen prints of the entire Painter screen at these two resolutions, but I think the basic answer to your question is, Painter X.1 in Windows doesn't offer what you want, ideally, which is to be able to control the text size from within Painter.

My guess is one of the reasons the text size on the palettes doesn't change except in the menus is that larger text would force the palettes to be larger so the text could be read. That would eat up working space, too.

At this point, I think your best option is to use the Magnifier, either the one you have or the one that comes with Windows.

Or, buy a pair of magnifier glasses you can keep on top of your head, then pull down to your eyes when you need to read something small.

Believe me, I know how it feels to have trouble reading small text. All of my glasses are out of date and, though I don't get headaches (knock on wood), my eyes get very tired after many hours at my computer.



http://www.pixelalley.com/demos/1152x864_fontsize_extralarge.jpg

[LDiehl]

Jinbrown: Thanks for running those little resolution tests. Yes, the menu text isn't what is bugging me, as that can be set through windows. It's the text in all of Painter's palettes and such that is the problem. I really hope they follow Photoshop's lead and make this a user set option in Painter XI.

It's not so much that I can't read the text but that it gives me a headache if I have to do it over any length of time (say if I'm painting for more than a couple hours).

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