KERNING METHOD AND A TYPOGRAPHIC APPARATUS UTILIZING SAME

A kerning method for adjusting a position of an object character relative to an adjacent reference character already fixed in place, in arranging characters of a character string in a predetermined direction based on rectangular character frames (imaginary bodies) including character patterns (faces) therein. This method includes the steps of designating a minimum two-dimensional space (facing space) between the faces of the reference character and the object character; shifting a dot pattern of the object character dot by dot toward a dot pattern of the reference character, and determining, at respective shifts, pairs of dots (candidate point pairs) providing minimum facing space between the dot patterns in a direction perpendicular to a shifting direction; storing facing space information in the shifting direction and facing space information in the direction perpendicular thereto of the candidate point pairs when the imaginary bodies of the reference character and the object character contact each other; and moving the object character toward the reference character from a position in which the imaginary bodies contact each other.