They’re supposed to look like that. Draw them the way you think that they should look, compare your versions to the originals, and then you’ll get it.

Matt, this is called "optical correction" and all professionally designed typefaces incorporate these elements into the letterforms. It has to do with positive/negative space, and making the letterforms appear balanced when in fact there are these small details that are measurably different. For a quick example, draw a square and a circle the same height and width. The circle will appear smaller even though it is the same height. This is why letters like O and Q, etc. have "overshoot" and actually extend past the height of the other letters.

The way x's are usually constructed in typefaces has to do with a well-known optical illusion. Here is a simple example: Using only your eyes--no cheating with a straight edge or tilting your screen at a more advantageous angle--which of the two diagonal line segments on the right looks most like it is a continuation of the diagonal line segment on the left?

After you have decided, check your answer with a straight edge.

One other thing: The amount to which this is done depends on how thick the strokes are. On a bolder typeface, the amount of compensation is greater; on a very thin typeface, maybe none at all. The amount also relates to how far from perpendicular the two main strokes are in relation to each other. The amount will be most extreme in a very bold condensed typeface.

wow, thank you very much guys for that help. i just never expected them to be that far out, was worried that the type file i had was some dodgy 3rd part look a like and you have given me a lot more to talk about on the letter x, thank you :)

p.s. i think i should stick around on these forums and learn a lot more from you guys :)

Matt,
Remember, in type design, the eye is the final arbiter, not the ruler.

ChrisL

yes very true

Okay, that one has been a member for 45 min 30 sec and he's already getting on my nerves.

Can someone with the right privileges kill him off? Please? Please? (And remove his posts? Please?)

Who is getting on your nerves? Which posts? ;^)

I'm on his case Terminator-style, and he won't be back. Blocking his sorry arse. :^P

Way to go, Yves!

ChrisL

You went "medieval" on him, typophile style, eh: wood cuts? Branding irons?

Aw, don't be so mean. :(

Thanks- Theunis and Yves for your mean remarks- very encouraging for new comers...

For those who missed it and might therefore be confused, Theunis was referring to a spam post that showed up in the middle of this thread. Yves is a moderator and quickly removed the offending post (actually post*s*, plural, since they showed up in several threads at about the same time).

But because the references here are somewhat cryptic, once the post in question was removed, it might look to some like they're beating up on the OP.

So that explains the looks I'm getting on the streets.

I thought it was because I need to shave.

Actually, Theunis, I really like the beard :-)

ChrisL

Thanks for the clarification.

Can't blame us, we came across some pretty mean remarks on Typophile lately - especially towards those who are from non-English speaking background, ( ie, Asians- their lack of command in English probably make them appear to be "stupid"...hey, come on... Obama just won the election... :P ) as well as towards the students. ( I also do a lot of lecturing and thus symphatize with students who ask seemingly "stupid" questions- I am sure many of us can identify with that too...)

My apology to Theunis and Yves for the misunderstanding (especially to Yves- I just couldn't figure out how could someone at his stature be so mean and I almost get disgusted by that...)

Alright, let's not continue to dwell on this and let's get on to some more constructive stuff...

(BTW, Theunis- I am sure I like that beard too if I saw you on the street... )