ISO/IEC 9541-3:2012
(Main)Information technology - Font information interchange - Part 3: Glyph shape representation
Information technology - Font information interchange - Part 3: Glyph shape representation
ISO/IEC 9541 specifies the architecture of font resources, as well as the formats for font interchange among information processing systems. ISO/IEC 9541 also specifies the architecture and formats that can be used to construct font references in general electronic document interchange. ISO/IEC 9541-3:2012 specifies the architecture and interchange formats of glyph shape representations. Font resources represented using the architecture and interchange formats defined in ISO/IEC 9541-1 and ISO/IEC 9541-2 are used in various document processing environments in which the RELAX NG (ISO/IEC 19757-2) parsing algorithm is recognized. The encoding of font resource information as defined in ISO/IEC 9541-3:2012 is specified in RELAX NG representation for consistent generation of font resources for use in these processing environments.
Technologies de l'information — Échange d'informations sur les fontes — Partie 3: Représentation de la forme de glyphes
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 12-Aug-2012
- Technical Committee
- ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 34 - Document description and processing languages
- Drafting Committee
- ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 34 - Document description and processing languages
- Current Stage
- 9093 - International Standard confirmed
- Start Date
- 10-Mar-2023
- Completion Date
- 30-Oct-2025
Relations
- Effective Date
- 11-Jul-2009
- Effective Date
- 11-Jul-2009
- Effective Date
- 11-Jul-2009
Overview
ISO/IEC 9541-3:2012 - "Information technology - Font information interchange - Part 3: Glyph shape representation" defines the architecture and interchange formats for representing glyph shapes in font resources used across information processing systems. This second edition (2012) is a minor revision of the 1994 edition and updates the editorial syntax from SGML/DTD and ASN.1 to XML (DSDL / RELAX NG) for consistent, machine-parseable encoding.
The standard focuses on how glyph shapes are modeled and encoded so font resources can be reliably exchanged, validated, and reconstructed in document processing and electronic document interchange environments that recognize the RELAX NG parsing algorithm.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Glyph shape architecture: Specifies the structural approach to representing glyph outlines and shape components within a font-resource architecture.
- Interchange formats: Defines the formats used to serialize glyph shape information for interchange between systems.
- RELAX NG encoding: The encoding of glyph and font resource information is specified in RELAX NG (ISO/IEC 19757-2) representation to enable consistent generation and validation of font data.
- Compatibility with Parts 1 & 2: Works in conjunction with ISO/IEC 9541-1 and ISO/IEC 9541-2 which define the broader font resource architecture and font interchange formats.
- Editorial and revision history: Second edition consolidates earlier amendments (Amd.1:2005, Amd.2:2009) and migrates syntax to XML DSDL for modern toolchain compatibility.
- Intended processing environments: Emphasizes use where RELAX NG parsing is available, ensuring schema-driven validation and interoperability.
Applications and practical value
Who uses ISO/IEC 9541-3:2012:
- Font developers and foundries implementing interoperable font resource exports.
- Software engineers building font editors, rendering engines, or conversion tools that must exchange glyph data.
- Document processing and publishing systems that embed or reference fonts across platforms and workflows.
- Digital archivists and preservationists ensuring long-term, validated storage of font shape data.
Practical benefits:
- Interoperability - consistent glyph shape representation across tools and platforms.
- Validation and automation - RELAX NG schemas enable automated schema validation in toolchains.
- Standardized interchange - reduces errors when exchanging font resources in electronic document workflows.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 9541-1 - Architecture of font resources
- ISO/IEC 9541-2 - Interchange formats for font resources
- ISO/IEC 19757-2 (RELAX NG) - Schema language used for encoding in this part
Keywords: ISO/IEC 9541-3, glyph shape representation, font interchange, RELAX NG, XML DSDL, font resources, font architecture, digital typography.
Frequently Asked Questions
ISO/IEC 9541-3:2012 is a standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Its full title is "Information technology - Font information interchange - Part 3: Glyph shape representation". This standard covers: ISO/IEC 9541 specifies the architecture of font resources, as well as the formats for font interchange among information processing systems. ISO/IEC 9541 also specifies the architecture and formats that can be used to construct font references in general electronic document interchange. ISO/IEC 9541-3:2012 specifies the architecture and interchange formats of glyph shape representations. Font resources represented using the architecture and interchange formats defined in ISO/IEC 9541-1 and ISO/IEC 9541-2 are used in various document processing environments in which the RELAX NG (ISO/IEC 19757-2) parsing algorithm is recognized. The encoding of font resource information as defined in ISO/IEC 9541-3:2012 is specified in RELAX NG representation for consistent generation of font resources for use in these processing environments.
ISO/IEC 9541 specifies the architecture of font resources, as well as the formats for font interchange among information processing systems. ISO/IEC 9541 also specifies the architecture and formats that can be used to construct font references in general electronic document interchange. ISO/IEC 9541-3:2012 specifies the architecture and interchange formats of glyph shape representations. Font resources represented using the architecture and interchange formats defined in ISO/IEC 9541-1 and ISO/IEC 9541-2 are used in various document processing environments in which the RELAX NG (ISO/IEC 19757-2) parsing algorithm is recognized. The encoding of font resource information as defined in ISO/IEC 9541-3:2012 is specified in RELAX NG representation for consistent generation of font resources for use in these processing environments.
ISO/IEC 9541-3:2012 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 35.240.30 - IT applications in information, documentation and publishing. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
ISO/IEC 9541-3:2012 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to ISO/IEC 9541-3:1994/Amd 2:2009, ISO/IEC 9541-3:1994/Amd 1:2005, ISO/IEC 9541-3:1994. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
ISO/IEC 9541-3:2012 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
STANDARD 9541-3
Second edition
2012-08-15
Information technology — Font
information interchange —
Part 3:
Glyph shape representation
Technologies de l'information — Échange d'informations sur les
fontes —
Partie 3: Représentation de la forme de glyphes
Reference number
©
ISO/IEC 2012
This CD-ROM contains the publication ISO/IEC 9541-3:2012 in html format.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO/IEC 9541-3:1994), of which it constitutes a
minor revision. It also includes an editorial change of syntax to XML (DSDL, ISO/IEC 19757-2) from
SGML/DTD and ASN.1. It also incorporates the following Amendments:
ISO/IEC 9541-3:1994/Amd.1:2005
ISO/IEC 9541-3:1994/Amd.2:2009
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