How to use the command 'showfigfonts' (with examples)

The showfigfonts command is a utility that enables users to display available figlet fonts. Figlet fonts are stylized text rendered in ASCII art, transforming ordinary text into visually appealing designs. This command is particularly useful for those who want to add a creative touch to their console applications or documents by utilizing different text styles available in their figlet font directory.

Use case 1: Display available fonts

Code:

showfigfonts

Motivation:

This use case is aimed at users who want to explore the various figlet fonts installed on their system. By simply running the showfigfonts command, users receive a complete display of all available figlet fonts and their corresponding examples. This is beneficial for anyone looking to preview and choose a font style that best suits their needs, eliminating the need to manually browse through font files or directories.

Explanation:

• showfigfonts: This command is invoked without any additional arguments, which means it will operate in its default mode. In this mode, it scans the user’s figlet font directories, retrieves the list of available fonts, and displays each font with a sample text of “Sample Text” or similar, providing a visual guide to what each font style looks like.

Example output:

When you run the showfigfonts command, it produces output something like this:

Standard:
 SSSS  TTTTT
 S        T 
 SSS    TTT 
    S    T 
 SS    TTT

Banner:
███████
      ██
  ████
      ██
  ████

Big:
   SSSS  TTTTTT
 S          T  
 SSS      TTT  
    S       T  
SSSS       TTT

In this output, each block represents a unique figlet font style applied to some example text, showcasing how these characters will look when rendered in different styles.

Use case 2: Display available fonts using a specific text

Code:

showfigfonts input_text

Motivation:

This version of the command is particularly motivational for users who wish to see how their specific string will look in different figlet fonts. Instead of listing examples with a default text, this use case lets users input their text, ensuring the view is directly relevant to their needs. This is of great value for those who want to test how a brand name, a tagline, or any specific phrase will appear when rendered using the available fonts.

Explanation:

• showfigfonts: The primary command to list and display figlet fonts.
• input_text: This is a placeholder for whatever text string the user wants to preview. The command displays the input text using each available figlet font, allowing users to visualize how their chosen text will appear.

Example output:

If you run a command like showfigfonts HelloWorld, the output might look like:

Standard:
  H   H EEEEE L     L      OOO   W   W  OOO  RRRR   L     DDDD  
  H   H E     L     L     O   O  W   W O   O R   R  L     D   D 
  HHHHH EEEEE L     L     O   O  W W W O   O RRRR   L     D   D 
  H   H E     L     L     O   O  W W W O   O R R    L     D   D 
  H   H EEEEE LLLLL LLLLL  OOO   W   W  OOO  R  RR  LLLLL DDDD  

Banner:
##   ##  ####   ##   ##  ##   ##  ##  ##  ##   ## 
##   ##  ##       # ##   ## # ##  ##  ##   ## ##  
##   ##  ####     ###    ## # ##    ##     ## ##  
## # ##  ##     ##   ##  ##   ##    ##    ##   ## 
 ######  ####   ##   ##  ##   ##    ##    ##   ##

Big:
  _   _          _       _    _                _ 
 | | | |   ___  | |_    | |  | |   ___    ___ | |
 | |_| |  / _ \ |  _|   | |  | |  / -_)  (_-< |_|
  \___/   \___/  \__|   |_| _|_|  \__ |_ /__/ (_)
                               |___/

Here, HelloWorld is used as the sample text, demonstrating how it appears with different figlet fonts.

Conclusion:

The showfigfonts command is a versatile and essential tool for anyone interested in enhancing the visual appeal of text using ASCII art. By displaying available figlet fonts, either with default or custom input text, users can effortlessly explore and choose a font style that resonates with their aesthetic or project requirements. Whether it’s for personal amusement or professional purposes, showfigfonts adds a fun and artistic dimension to text presentation.