Beyond Linux® From Scratch (systemd Edition) - Version 12.2

Chapter 10. Graphics and Font Libraries

FreeType-2.13.3

Introduction to FreeType2

The FreeType2 package contains a library which allows applications to properly render TrueType fonts.

This package is known to build and work properly using an LFS 12.2 platform.

Package Information

Additional Downloads

Additional Documentation

FreeType2 Dependencies

Recommended

harfBuzz-9.0.0 (circular: build freetype, then harfbuzz, then reinstall freetype), libpng-1.6.43, and Which-2.21

Optional

Brotli-1.1.0 and librsvg-2.58.3

Optional (for documentation)

docwriter

Installation of FreeType2

If you downloaded the additional documentation, unpack it into the source tree using the following command: 

tar -xf ../freetype-doc-2.13.3.tar.xz --strip-components=2 -C docs

Install FreeType2 by running the following commands: 

sed -ri "s:.*(AUX_MODULES.*valid):\1:" modules.cfg &&

sed -r "s:.*(#.*SUBPIXEL_RENDERING) .*:\1:" \
    -i include/freetype/config/ftoption.h  &&

./configure --prefix=/usr --enable-freetype-config --disable-static &&
make

This package does not come with a test suite.

Now, as the root user: 

make install

If you downloaded the optional documentation, install it as the root user: 

cp -v -R docs -T /usr/share/doc/freetype-2.13.3 &&
rm -v /usr/share/doc/freetype-2.13.3/freetype-config.1

Command Explanations

sed -ri ...: First command enables GX/AAT and OpenType table validation and second command enables Subpixel Rendering. Note that Subpixel Rendering may have patent issues. Be sure to read the 'Other patent issues' part of https://freetype.org/patents.html before enabling this option.

--enable-freetype-config: This switch ensure that the man page for freetype-config is installed.

--without-harfbuzz: If harfbuzz is installed prior to freetype without freetype support, use this switch to avoid a build failure.

--disable-static: This switch prevents installation of static versions of the libraries.

Contents

Installed Program: freetype-config
Installed Library: libfreetype.so
Installed Directories: /usr/include/freetype2 and /usr/share/doc/freetype-2.13.3

Short Descriptions

freetype-config

is used to get FreeType compilation and linking information

libfreetype.so

contains functions for rendering various font types, such as TrueType and Type1