Outline fonts :-(

[The Real Bev]

Using Nova launcher on my Moto G5+ running Android 7. Suddenly a lot of
the fonts (like the labels under the icons in the alphabetical app list
(NOT the home pages) are outline fonts against a light blue background,
making them a real bitch to read. This travesty extends into some of
the fonts used by other apps. There seems to be no setting that will
allow me to change this. The original launcher is unacceptable -- not
enough icons allowed per page.

I'm not committed Nova, although I was perfectly happy with it until
now. What I want to configure are (1) the size of the icon grid, (5x6
etc.), (2) the font sizes, color and boldness, (3) the background color,
and (4) my most useful icons and the google search bar displayed on
every 'home' page'. Grouping icons is unnecessary, possibly even
undesirable if I lose something I want in favor of that. I'm perfectly
happy having 4 or 5 home pages.

Any suggestions?

[arlen holder]

Post by The Real Bev
Using Nova launcher on my Moto G5+ running Android 7.

Hi The Real Bev,

Did I hear "nova launcher"?

I'm using Nova free on an LG Stylo 3 Plus, Nougat, Android 7.
o com.teslacoilsw.launcher Version 5.5.4 (59400)
<Loading Image...>

Let me know what you want me to snapshot & I'll try to do that to help.

Post by The Real Bev
Suddenly a lot of
the fonts (like the labels under the icons in the alphabetical app list
(NOT the home pages) are outline fonts against a light blue background,
making them a real bitch to read.

Hmmmmmm....... Which "alphabetical app list"?

Here's the "homepage" labels...
<Loading Image...>

Here's the alphabetical app list in the app launcher:
<Loading Image...>

Here's the alphabetical app list in the Nougat System "Apps" section:
<Loading Image...>

Post by The Real Bev
This travesty extends into some of
the fonts used by other apps.

Here's the alphabetical app list in Applications Info:
<Loading Image...>

Here's the alphabetical app list in "My App List":
<Loading Image...>

Here's the alphabetical app list in "App Backup & Restore":
<Loading Image...>

Here's the alphabetical app list in "List My Apps":
<Loading Image...>

Post by The Real Bev
There seems to be no setting that will
allow me to change this.

Ummmm... there are a _lot_ of "font" settings, aren't there?
(Let me know which you want me to show you that mine are set to.)

Post by The Real Bev
The original launcher is unacceptable -- not
enough icons allowed per page.

Ummmmm.... you can put _any_ number of icons per page.
Any grid. Any distance between them (or no distance at all).
Any number of rows. Any number of columns. etc.

Again, let me know what settings you want me to snapshot for you.

Post by The Real Bev
I'm not committed Nova, although I was perfectly happy with it until
now.

I've been using Nova free for _years_ and I did test a half dozen other
launchers. I _love_ nova free. Let me know what you need by way of
settings.

Post by The Real Bev
What I want to configure are (1) the size of the icon grid, (5x6
etc.), (2) the font sizes, color and boldness, (3) the background color,
and (4) my most useful icons and the google search bar displayed on
every 'home' page'. Grouping icons is unnecessary, possibly even
undesirable if I lose something I want in favor of that. I'm perfectly
happy having 4 or 5 home pages.
Any suggestions?

How does my current icon grid setting look to you on my LG Stylo 3 Plus?
<Loading Image...>

Let me know which nova free settings you want me to screenshot for you.

[The Real Bev]

Post by arlen holder

Post by The Real Bev
Using Nova launcher on my Moto G5+ running Android 7.

Hi The Real Bev,
Did I hear "nova launcher"?
I'm using Nova free on an LG Stylo 3 Plus, Nougat, Android 7.
o com.teslacoilsw.launcher Version 5.5.4 (59400)
<https://i.postimg.cc/XvX0XV9D/nova01.jpg>
Let me know what you want me to snapshot & I'll try to do that to help.

Post by The Real Bev
Suddenly a lot of
the fonts (like the labels under the icons in the alphabetical app list
(NOT the home pages) are outline fonts against a light blue background,
making them a real bitch to read.

Hmmmmmm....... Which "alphabetical app list"?
Here's the "homepage" labels...
<https://i.postimg.cc/VNTPC3Rs/nova02.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/MTRNjXHt/nova04.jpg>

Loading Image...

Embroiled right now in hubby's blown computer...

Post by arlen holder
<https://i.postimg.cc/mkyn8qQH/nova05.jpg>

Post by The Real Bev
This travesty extends into some of
the fonts used by other apps.

<https://i.postimg.cc/xjvBfkW1/nova06.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/hPK6fDBb/nova07.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/gk45hCc9/nova08.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/HndZc2fs/nova09.jpg>

Post by The Real Bev
There seems to be no setting that will
allow me to change this.

Ummmm... there are a _lot_ of "font" settings, aren't there?
(Let me know which you want me to show you that mine are set to.)

Post by The Real Bev
The original launcher is unacceptable -- not
enough icons allowed per page.

Ummmmm.... you can put _any_ number of icons per page.
Any grid. Any distance between them (or no distance at all).
Any number of rows. Any number of columns. etc.
Again, let me know what settings you want me to snapshot for you.

Post by The Real Bev
I'm not committed Nova, although I was perfectly happy with it until
now.

I've been using Nova free for _years_ and I did test a half dozen other
launchers. I _love_ nova free. Let me know what you need by way of
settings.

Post by The Real Bev
What I want to configure are (1) the size of the icon grid, (5x6
etc.), (2) the font sizes, color and boldness, (3) the background color,
and (4) my most useful icons and the google search bar displayed on
every 'home' page'. Grouping icons is unnecessary, possibly even
undesirable if I lose something I want in favor of that. I'm perfectly
happy having 4 or 5 home pages.
Any suggestions?

How does my current icon grid setting look to you on my LG Stylo 3 Plus?
<https://i.postimg.cc/YCq5ypDq/nova03.jpg>
Let me know which nova free settings you want me to screenshot for you.

[arlen holder]

Post by The Real Bev
https://i.postimg.cc/0NHJFdYX/Screenshot-20190301-215049.png
Embroiled right now in hubby's blown computer...

What is your font size set to inside of Nova settings?

If I go to "nova settings" and then "Desktop" and then "Icon Layout",
notice this is one location for the icon "Size & Layout" settings:
<Loading Image...>

My "Font" size is about 1/3 from "Condensed" (which shows on top also):
<Loading Image...>

Here is a screen shot with the fonts set to the largest & smallest sizes:
<Loading Image...>

Note that this is just the "font size".
o The icon size & shape is in a different setting
o As is the horizontal & vertical grid size & icon spacing.

[arlen holder]

Post by arlen holder
If I go to "nova settings" and then "Desktop" and then "Icon Layout",
<https://i.postimg.cc/L5x7sGpp/nova10.jpg>

That last set of settings was for the icon size on the HOME SCREEN.

There is _another_ icon setting section, this one in
Nova settings > App & widget drawers > Icon layout (Size and label)
<Loading Image...>

By default, mine was set to about 1/3 from the left for the font size:
<Loading Image...>

Here is the difference between the smallest & largest in an app drawer:
<Loading Image...>

There's a different section for the icon grid & size & color & background.

[arlen holder]

Post by arlen holder
There's a different section for the icon grid & size & color & background.

Notice there is yet _another_ place for icon sizes.

Nova settings > Folders > Icon layout (Size and label)
<Loading Image...>

Again, mine was set to the default of about 1/3 over from the left:
<Loading Image...>

But, as before, you can set the font size to whatever you like:
<Loading Image...>

Here's the difference between the smallest & largest sizes in a folder:
<Loading Image...>

The grid and shape of the icons and background is set elsewhere.

[Big Al]

Post by arlen holder

Post by arlen holder
If I go to "nova settings" and then "Desktop" and then "Icon Layout",
<https://i.postimg.cc/L5x7sGpp/nova10.jpg>

That last set of settings was for the icon size on the HOME SCREEN.
There is _another_ icon setting section, this one in
Nova settings > App & widget drawers > Icon layout (Size and label)
<https://i.postimg.cc/SKH0pBGY/nova13.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/B6FrZmhY/nova14.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/1RcdWnbq/nova15.jpg>
There's a different section for the icon grid & size & color & background.

Looks like Bev has black letters with a white shadow around them maybe.

[arlen holder]

Post by Big Al
Looks like Bev has black letters with a white shadow around them maybe.

Thanks for noticing that.

I set up my Nova settings so long ago that I forgot where all the options
are where, for example, there is an option to change the fonts.

Nova settings > Look and feel > Icon theme > Icon Pack
o System
o Marshmallow (Android 6.0)

There's also a button for "adaptive icons" in "look & feel".
And a switch to "Normalize icon size" which says it will "Scale large icons
down to match Material Guidelines" (whatever that means).

There's also a setting in "nova settings > App & widget drawers" for
"Background color and transparency" where my "transparency" is set to 0%
and my color is set to "black".

As for the grid size, in "nova settings > Desktop" is a section for "Width
padding" and another for "height padding" , where mine are set to "small"
but there are options for
o None
o Small
o Medium
o Large

Lastly, there's a setting for the number of items in the home screen grid
(number of columns and number of rows) where mine is set to 7 columns and 7
rows (but any number can be used), with "subgrid positioning" turned on.

While I'm using the older version of Nova free, I noticed in the release
notes for the newer version that the free version now allows icon resizing,
so that's one reason to get version 6.0 (the OP didn't mention the
version).

If I were the OP, I would recommend the OP backup the existing settings to
the external SD card (just in case), and then "restore to defaults).

o To back up the existing settings:
Nova settings > Backup & import settings > Backup

o To restore the backed up settings:
Nova settings > Backup & import settings > Restore or manage backups

o To reset to defaults
Nova settings > Backup & import settings > Reset to defaults

[arlen holder]

Post by arlen holder
I set up my Nova settings so long ago that I forgot where all the options
are where, for example, there is an option to change the fonts.

Oops: I had meant "icons" and not "fonts" in that statement.

Since I wish The Real Bev a solution to the problem, I would like to
summarize "nova free" as the _best_ I've ever found for allowing the user
to control the look and feel of their Android launcher - but -

But - as The Real Bev noted - the settings are myriad, and, as noted in the
version 6.0 release notes, they keep changing where they are.

In short, my recommendation for the OP is thus:
1. Don't give up on Nova Free (it's the best of the best, IMHO)
2. Save the existing settings (just in case).
3. Set the settings to the default.

I think that, alone, will clear up the problems.
Good luck OP, and please let us know how it works out for you
as we truly care to help others in need (it's how we're wired).

[The Real Bev]

Post by Big Al

Post by arlen holder

Post by arlen holder
If I go to "nova settings" and then "Desktop" and then "Icon Layout",
<https://i.postimg.cc/L5x7sGpp/nova10.jpg>

That last set of settings was for the icon size on the HOME SCREEN.
There is _another_ icon setting section, this one in
Nova settings > App & widget drawers > Icon layout (Size and label)
<https://i.postimg.cc/SKH0pBGY/nova13.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/B6FrZmhY/nova14.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/1RcdWnbq/nova15.jpg>
There's a different section for the icon grid & size & color & background.

Looks like Bev has black letters with a white shadow around them maybe.

Yes. Also white letters with a black outline.

Are the pages that are NOT the home screen, but are the pages you get
when you tap the circle at the bottom of the screen between the 'back'
arrow and square list of open windows the APP DRAWER? Vocabulary
problem here. If so, the app drawer fonts are what I've been whining
about, along with a similar font injected into other apps. Not ALL the
labels in the other apps, just some of them. I've tried changing the
sizes in Nova, but it just changes the size of the offensive font
without removing the outlines/shadows. I've set single-line and
no-shadow settings.

I also set the background for the app drawer to black and the color of
the fonts to yellow, but it remains pale blue and white. It's like
Nova has hard-wired the font (more properly, typeface) setting for
certain levels of titles commonly used by app developers. You can
change the size, but not the font itself.

The Home settings are changeable and no problem.

[arlen holder]

You can change the size, but not the font itself.

I agree that Nova free has a setting for the font "color" & "shadow" &
number of lines to display, but I don't (yet) know how Nova free determines
what font to use.

The only perhaps related (but perhaps not related) selection I can find is
Nova settings > Look & feel > Icon theme >

Where I have two choices
o System (Android 7.0)
o Marshmallow (Android 6.0)

But I just tested both choices but I don't see any difference between them.
o If anyone figures out HOW Nova free chooses its font, let me know too! :)

[arlen holder]

Post by arlen holder
o If anyone figures out HOW Nova free chooses its font, let me know too! :)

I ran a search and then decided it's too frustrating for me, since I don't
want to change _my_ fonts. :)

This is the question asking if Nova changes fonts (the answer is "no"):
o Nova Launcher is considered the best launcher but no change font option?
<https://androidforums.com/threads/nova-launcher-is-considered-the-best-launcher-but-no-change-font-option.1232457/>

In that thread, they also suggest "Apex Launcher", which, I think, is here:
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.anddoes.launcher>
But I don't see the word "font" mentioned in the Apex launcher description.

Looking up how Android users can change the fonts, I found this:
o How to Change Fonts on Your Android Device Without Rooting
<https://www.guidingtech.com/change-android-fonts-without-rooting/>

But I'm not going to try it as I only change the look and feel of a
computer interface if there is added value to me in doing so.
<Loading Image...>

[The Real Bev]

Post by arlen holder

Post by arlen holder
o If anyone figures out HOW Nova free chooses its font, let me know too! :)

I ran a search and then decided it's too frustrating for me, since I don't
want to change _my_ fonts. :)

A sensible decision.

Post by arlen holder
o Nova Launcher is considered the best launcher but no change font option?
<https://androidforums.com/threads/nova-launcher-is-considered-the-best-launcher-but-no-change-font-option.1232457/>
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.anddoes.launcher>
But I don't see the word "font" mentioned in the Apex launcher description.
o How to Change Fonts on Your Android Device Without Rooting
<https://www.guidingtech.com/change-android-fonts-without-rooting/>
But I'm not going to try it as I only change the look and feel of a
computer interface if there is added value to me in doing so.
<https://i.postimg.cc/X7jYKSTW/backup01.jpg>

I'll keep those in mind. Best hope is that the Nova people email me:
"Oh shit, we're sorry, we realize that's a bug and we'll fix it in the
next release."

I'm amazed that some of my friends and acquaintances even realize that
they can customize ANYTHING on their computers. They just use what's
there. Looking at recent versions of firefox and thunderbird I find
them unusable without the customizations I've been working on for the
last 25 years...

[The Real Bev]

Post by arlen holder

You can change the size, but not the font itself.

I agree that Nova free has a setting for the font "color" & "shadow" &
number of lines to display, but I don't (yet) know how Nova free determines
what font to use.

Only thing that makes sense is inability to turn the shadow off.
Letting that bleed into other apps (which may or may not have their own
font settings) is inexcusable.

Over the decades I've spent a lot of time customizing the look and feel
of windows, linux, and now Android. Paramount is the legibility vs
density of text. I've decided that Trebuchet MS (bold) is about as good
as it gets, followed by Ariel MT.

Plus I like trebuchets! The idea of flinging burning balls of pitch at
far-away people is very appealing. I wonder how big a device you'd need
to reach DC...

Post by arlen holder
The only perhaps related (but perhaps not related) selection I can find is
Nova settings > Look & feel > Icon theme >
Where I have two choices
o System (Android 7.0)
o Marshmallow (Android 6.0)
But I just tested both choices but I don't see any difference between them.
o If anyone figures out HOW Nova free chooses its font, let me know too! :)

No idea why they call it 'shadow'. Shadows fall to only one side, not
all sides.

[Biggles]

No idea why they call it 'shadow'. Shadows fall to only one side,
not all sides.

Not necessarily, if the light source is central to the object,
shadows may be cast on all sides.

[The Real Bev]

Post by The Real Bev
No idea why they call it 'shadow'. Shadows fall to only one side,
not all sides.
Not necessarily, if the light source is central to the object,
shadows may be cast on all sides.

Providing that the light source is very close to the object.

[The Real Bev]

Post by The Real Bev

Post by Big Al

Post by arlen holder

Post by arlen holder
If I go to "nova settings" and then "Desktop" and then "Icon Layout",
<https://i.postimg.cc/L5x7sGpp/nova10.jpg>

That last set of settings was for the icon size on the HOME SCREEN.
There is _another_ icon setting section, this one in
Nova settings > App & widget drawers > Icon layout (Size and label)
<https://i.postimg.cc/SKH0pBGY/nova13.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/B6FrZmhY/nova14.jpg>
<https://i.postimg.cc/1RcdWnbq/nova15.jpg>
There's a different section for the icon grid & size & color & background.

Looks like Bev has black letters with a white shadow around them maybe.

Yes. Also white letters with a black outline.
Are the pages that are NOT the home screen, but are the pages you get
when you tap the circle at the bottom of the screen between the 'back'
arrow and square list of open windows the APP DRAWER? Vocabulary
problem here. If so, the app drawer fonts are what I've been whining
about, along with a similar font injected into other apps. Not ALL the
labels in the other apps, just some of them. I've tried changing the
sizes in Nova, but it just changes the size of the offensive font
without removing the outlines/shadows. I've set single-line and
no-shadow settings.
I also set the background for the app drawer to black and the color of
the fonts to yellow, but it remains pale blue and white. It's like
Nova has hard-wired the font (more properly, typeface) setting for
certain levels of titles commonly used by app developers. You can
change the size, but not the font itself.

Loading Image...

When I updated to 6.0 I could change the background to black, but the
shadows remain.

I emailed their support function.

A workaround is to make white drawer fonts on a darker background, but
the shadowed fonts still bleed over into other apps.

Post by The Real Bev
The Home settings are changeable and no problem.