[UPHPU] Text Formating Question

[Jon Jensen]

> Sorry if this is off topic.  I have a potential client that 
> wants to create an application to make custom scrapbook 
> covers.  Everything is working out fine, except for one part. 
>  He needs for the end user to be able to specify the font 
> face from a list of fonts for any text they want on the 
> scrapbook cover.
> Now, if we were going to do this in flash, I'd know how to 
> take care of it (embed the fonts in the .swf).  However, he 
> has stated from the get go that he wants no flash or java. 
> Does any one know of any ways to use fonts even when they are 
> not installed on the clients computer?
>  We'll be using php with mysql for the backend and ajax/js to 
> handle stuff like drag 'n drop and other web 2.0ishness.  Any 
> ideas would be greatly appreciated!  Thanks!

PHP's GD functions are probably what you want... You can generate images w/
text using any font installed on the server. For an example, have a look at
www.cardcafe.com (a project of mine). Pick a greeting card and proceed into
the editor. The editor takes the text the person writes and generates an
image on the server side using the specified font.

Jon.