Page:Standard lettering (IA standardletterin01claf).pdf/14



'''RULE 5. In laying off the heavy stroke or the stem of the "Z,"its width —one unit —must be laid off at right angles. This applies also to the heavy stroke of all letters.'''

This is done by measuring from the upper right hand corner of the "Z" at right angles to what you can easily estimate will be the slant of the heavy stroke. Connect the point just laid off with the lower left corner of the letter and draw the other side of the heavy stroke parallel to the first line.

In the N and M, note that the lower line of the heavy slant stroke crosses the upper guide line ¼ unit to the left of the first light stroke. Also in drawing the grace curves to the light strokes of the letters note the following:

'''RULE 6. The grace curves on the vertical thin stroke of a letter are arcs of one unit radius joining the strokes one unit from the guide line. The projections are 1½ units on each side–three units in all.'''

To find the point where the middle portion of the "M" touches the lower guide line, bisect the distance from the left line of the letter to the inside of the heavy stroke at the right (using the triangle method). Do not bisect the total width of the M.

The W is a letter that has always given considerable trouble owing to the difficulty of getting the corres ponding lines parallel and the angles equal. The following method, however, eliminates the difficulties entirely, and gives a perfect " W"- even should the width of the letter happen to be laid out incorrectly.