bdfconv

bdfconv [options] input_font.bdf

-f
    Specifies the input BDF font file.

-o
    Sets the name of the output C source file.

-m
    Defines character mapping (e.g., 'auto', 'unicode', 'iso-8859-1').

-N
    Provides a prefix for generated C function and variable names.

-v
    Enables verbose output, showing more details during conversion.

-r
    Configures right-to-left drawing mode for glyphs.

-s
    Sets the starting character code for the conversion range.

-e
    Sets the ending character code for the conversion range.

-c
    Specifies the number of characters to convert, starting from '-s'.

-a
    Defines byte alignment for glyph data (e.g., 1, 2, 4).

-b
    Specifies bits per pixel for the font (commonly 1 for monochrome displays).

-M
    Horizontally mirrors the glyphs.

-d
    Specifies the drawing mode (e.g., 'u8x8', 'u8g2') for glyphs.

-u
    Enables UTF-8 support for input character ranges.

-l
    Lists the content and properties of the BDF font file without converting.

-h
    Displays the help message and exits.

bdfconv is a specialized utility primarily used in embedded systems development to convert BDF (Bitmap Distribution Format) font files into C language data arrays. These arrays can then be directly compiled into firmware, allowing microcontrollers and other resource-constrained devices to display custom fonts without needing a full-fledged font rendering engine.

It's often associated with popular graphics libraries like U8g2 and U8x8, providing a streamlined way to integrate bitmap fonts for small OLEDs, LCDs, and other displays commonly found in IoT devices and hobbyist projects. The conversion process typically involves selecting specific character ranges, defining output format parameters such as bits-per-pixel and byte alignment, and optionally mirroring or adjusting the drawing mode of glyphs. This ensures efficient storage and optimized access of glyph data in the limited memory environments of embedded systems.

bdfconv is typically a command-line tool without a graphical interface. Its primary output is C source code, which requires a C compiler for integration into a project. The utility's specific features and options can vary slightly depending on the version or the library it is packaged with (e.g., different versions within U8g2, or if it's a standalone tool). It primarily handles bitmap fonts; scalable fonts like TrueType or OpenType require different conversion tools.

bdfconv's origins are closely tied to the need for efficient font rendering on resource-constrained embedded systems. While bitmap font conversion tools existed for the X Window System (like bdftopcf), a dedicated tool to convert BDF into directly embeddable C arrays became essential for microcontroller projects. It gained prominence particularly with the rise of dedicated graphics libraries like U8g2 and u8x8, which simplify display interaction for hobbyists and professionals working with small OLED/LCD displays on platforms like Arduino. Its development is often driven by the requirements of these specific embedded graphics ecosystems, providing a critical link between design and deployment for custom fonts.

bdftopcf(1), fontforge(1), gcc(1), make(1)