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Noto CJK Variable Fonts

Summary

Switch the default Noto CJK fonts for Chinese, Japanese and Korean from static to variable fonts.

Owner


Current status

Detailed Description

In order to reduce the font size in Noto CJK fonts, we plan to switch to use the variable fonts by default.

  1. Split the google-noto-cjk-fonts package into google-noto-sans-cjk-fonts and google-noto-serif-cjk-fonts, and provide the variable fonts in google-noto-sans-cjk-vf-fonts and google-noto-serif-cjk-vf-fonts.
  2. Drop several sub packages which are not installed by default from the google-noto-cjk-fonts package.
    1. Like google-noto-sans-cjk-*-fonts, google-noto-sans-*-fonts, google-noto-sans-mono-cjk-*-fonts, google-noto-serif-cjk-*-fonts and google-noto-serif-*-fonts
  3. Install the Noto CJK Variable Fonts by default.

Fedora Copr for testing: https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org/coprs/pwu/noto-cjk/

Feedback

Benefit to Fedora

The variable fonts will reduce the disk space usage and live image size compared to the static fonts.

RPM Size
Size (bytes) Noto Sans CJK Noto Serif CJK
Static Fonts 130674365 181621033
Variable Fonts 64613100 56924710

Scope

  • Proposal owners:
    • Package four font packages for Noto CJK fonts
    • Retire google-noto-cjk-fonts in Fedora rawhide
    • Switch to install variable fonts by default in fedora-comps and langpacks
    • Submit pull request to lorax templates to use google-noto-sans-cjk-fonts in the boot.iso
  • Other developers:
  • Policies and guidelines: N/A (not needed for this Change)
  • Trademark approval: N/A (not needed for this Change)
  • Alignment with Objectives:

Upgrade/compatibility impact

When upgrade from Fedora 37, the google-noto-sans-cjk-vf-fonts package will replace the google-noto-sans-cjk-ttc-fonts package, and the google-noto-serif-cjk-vf-fonts package will replace the google-noto-serif-cjk-ttc-fonts package.

How To Test

  • Please upgrade to Fedora 38 or rawhide to get the latest fonts
  • Please check the google-noto-sans-cjk-vf-fonts package is installed by default
    • With CJK locale, the google-noto-serif-cjk-vf-fonts is also installed by default
    • Check the google-noto-sans-cjk-ttc-fonts and google-noto-serif-cjk-ttc-fonts packages in Fedora 37 are replaced automatically in CJK locale
  • Then use CJK locale to check if the new fonts have any problem

User Experience

This new variable fonts will reduce the disk space usage and live image size.

Dependencies

Contingency Plan

  • Contingency mechanism: Use the static fonts by default - google-noto-sans-cjk-fonts and google-noto-serif-cjk-fonts
  • Contingency deadline: N/A (not a System Wide Change)
  • Blocks release? N/A (not a System Wide Change), Yes/No


Documentation

N/A (not a System Wide Change)

Release Notes

This new variable fonts will reduce the disk space usage and live image size.