Converting PDFs to HTML often involves a tricky transition from a world of floating-point precision to one constrained by integer font sizes. When a PDF uses an 8.5pt font, for instance, HTML forces a choice between 8pt or 9pt, neither of which provides a perfect fit.
The Precision vs. Aesthetics Dilemma
To maintain layout integrity, we traditionally adjust character spacing or tweak font sizes to ensure the text fits the container. This is vital when substituting fonts; if a replacement HTML font is significantly thinner than the original, a 9pt PDF font might actually require an 18pt HTML equivalent to look correct.
The downside? Prioritizing "perfect fit" can result in visually jarring text blocks where sizes flicker inconsistently (e.g., 8pt, 9pt, 8pt, 9pt) just to keep the alignment precise.
A New Balanced Approach
In our latest release, we’ve introduced a compromise to stabilize these visuals. The engine can now ignore minor font size fluctuations to maintain a uniform look (turning that "8, 9, 8" sequence into a steady "8, 8, 8"), while still allowing for major adjustments when a font substitution demands a significant resize.
Customizing Your Threshold
You can now control this behavior by setting a sensitivity threshold. Use the following code to define when a font size change is "large enough" to be applied:
//only adjust font if change bigger than 5pt
HTMLoutput.setValue(HTMLDisplay.UseFontResizing, 5);
- A value of 0: Captures every tiny adjustment for maximum positional accuracy.
- A value of 10: Prioritizes visual uniformity, only changing sizes for major discrepancies.
- Default (5): This is our recommended starting point for most files.
We encourage you to experiment with this value to find the perfect balance of layout precision and visual consistency for your specific documents. BuilVu might help you get the best results, we encourage you to base your judgment on your own testing.
