bdftopcf

bdftopcf [-o output.pcf] [-t] [-s] [-bc] [-T] [input.bdf]

-o output_filename
    Specifies the output PCF file name. Default: appends .pcf to input filename or writes to stdout.

-t
    Generates a properties font, preserving TEXT properties from the BDF source.

-s
    Uses ink metrics instead of standard metrics, suitable for scalable bitmap fonts.

-bc
    Sets bit order to MSBFirst (most-significant bit first). Default: LSBFirst.

-T
    Sets byte order to MSBFirst (most-significant byte first). Default: LSBFirst.

The bdftopcf command is a utility from the X Window System font tools that converts fonts from the Bitmap Distribution Format (BDF) to Portable Compiled Format (PCF). BDF is an ASCII text format containing glyph bitmaps, character metrics, encoding, and properties, making it human-readable and editable. PCF is a binary format designed for efficient storage and rapid loading by the X server or font server.

This tool is crucial for preparing bitmap fonts for use in X11 environments, such as console terminals or legacy applications. It supports options to control byte and bit ordering for compatibility with different X server configurations, include font properties, or use ink metrics for improved rendering of scalable-like bitmaps. Input is read from a BDF file or stdin, and output is written to a PCF file or stdout.

While PCF fonts were standard for fixed-pitch displays in early Unix systems, they have been largely replaced by scalable formats like TrueType via fontconfig. bdftopcf persists for custom bitmap font creation, retro computing, or systems without modern font support.

Legacy X11 tool; PCF fonts are obsolete on modern systems using fontconfig and scalable fonts. Ensure BDF input is valid to avoid corrupt output.

Reads BDF from input.bdf or stdin; writes PCF to output.pcf or stdout if unspecified.

Developed by the X Consortium; introduced around X11R4 (1989) as part of xfont-utils. Maintained in Xorg for backward compatibility with bitmap fonts.

fstobdf(1), bdftruncate(1), showfont(1), xfs(1), mkfontdir(1)