Sinhala Unicode Legacy Font Converter
A Python tool for converting Sinhala Unicode text to legacy font formats.
Tech Stack
About Sinhala Unicode Legacy Font Converter
The Sinhala Unicode Legacy Font Converter is a lightweight Python tool designed to bridge the gap between modern Sinhala Unicode text and legacy font formats such as FM Abhaya (FMMalithi) and ISI (Island). This tool is built for users who need to convert text for compatibility with older systems, offering both enhanced functionality and easy-to-use features.
Core Features
Dual Font Conversion
- FM Abhaya (FMMalithi): Converts Unicode Sinhala text to the traditional FM Abhaya format, used in older systems.
- ISI (Island): Converts text to the ISI font format, compatible with legacy Sinhala systems.
Easy-to-Use Interface
- Standalone EXE: Convert text without the need for a Python installation, thanks to the standalone EXE package.
- Lightweight GUI: Simple Tkinter-based interface for quick conversions with minimal setup.
- Clipboard Support: Instantly copy converted text to your clipboard with a one-click button.
Enhanced Features
- Improved Mapping: Expands upon the original project’s character coverage for more complete conversions.
- Optimized for Legacy Systems: Built to ensure compatibility with older Sinhala systems and applications.
- Portable: The EXE format ensures portability across different systems without dependency on Python or other software.
Technical Architecture
Frontend/UI
- Tkinter: A simple and user-friendly GUI framework for Python that powers the interface for seamless user interaction.
Backend/Processing
- Python: Handles the core conversion logic, processing the text and ensuring accurate formatting.
- Unicode to Legacy Mapping: Custom-built character mapping to convert between modern Unicode and legacy fonts, supporting a wide range of characters and glyphs.
Packaging
- Standalone EXE: Packaged using Python tools to create a lightweight executable for both Windows and other compatible platforms, making it user-friendly and accessible without requiring Python.
Installation & Usage
Installation
- Download the standalone EXE file from the releases section.
- Run the EXE and use the GUI to convert your Sinhala text to legacy fonts.
Usage
- Clipboard Functionality: Paste Unicode Sinhala text into the tool and click the conversion button.
- Copy to Clipboard: Once the text is converted, click the “Copy” button to instantly copy the result to your clipboard for easy use.
Purpose & Impact
This tool provides essential functionality for individuals or organizations still reliant on older Sinhala font formats. By enabling seamless conversion from modern Unicode to legacy formats like FM Abhaya and ISI, the Sinhala Unicode Legacy Font Converter helps preserve compatibility with outdated systems while maintaining the integrity of Sinhala text. It’s an invaluable tool for users in Sri Lanka and other regions that still use these legacy font formats.
By making text conversion as simple as clicking a button, this tool ensures that users can keep their legacy systems operational while adopting more modern Unicode standards for text handling.
Credit Acknowledgement
This project is built upon the foundational work of Gavi Tharaka, whose original Sinhala Converter project laid the groundwork for this enhanced version. Special thanks for their contributions to the Sinhala font conversion community.