Unicode to Chenet Tamil Fonts

Unicode to Chenet Tamil Font

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Unicode Tamil Font

Chenet Platinum / CN Tamil Font

Unicode to Chenet Tamil Font Conversion

Tamil computing has experienced a long journey, from the early days of non-standard fonts to the adoption of Unicode as the global text encoding system. Today, most websites, applications, and operating systems fully support Unicode Tamil. However, in specific publishing industries, DTP (desktop publishing), and legacy workflows, some designers still prefer to use special Tamil fonts like Chenet for aesthetic or formatting purposes. This creates the need for Unicode to Chenet Tamil Font Conversion.

In this article, we will explore why such a conversion is required, the challenges involved, available methods and tools, a step-by-step process, and best practices for maintaining quality. This guide will help publishers, students, researchers, and IT professionals who need to convert Unicode text into Chenet font format for specific purposes.

Understanding Unicode Tamil

Unicode is the universal standard for representing Tamil and other languages. Each character has a unique code point:

  • "அ" → U+0B85
  • "ஆ" → U+0B86
  • "இ" → U+0B87

Unicode Tamil works seamlessly across websites, mobile devices, and operating systems. It ensures proper storage, searching, and accessibility. For example, when you type "தமிழ்" in Unicode, it can be indexed by Google, copied into MS Word, or sent over WhatsApp without distortion.

What is Chenet Tamil Font?

Chenet is a non-Unicode Tamil font commonly used in desktop publishing and printing works. Like Bamini, TAB, or other legacy fonts, Chenet uses the ASCII range to represent Tamil characters. That means the English letter “a” may be displayed as “அ” when viewed using Chenet font, but technically the text is still the Latin letter “a.” This makes Chenet text font-dependent and incompatible with modern applications.

Despite these limitations, many publishers and printing houses still rely on Chenet due to its long-standing usage in DTP layouts. This is why Unicode text often needs to be converted into Chenet for printing and formatting.

Why Convert Unicode to Chenet?

The need arises mainly in publishing and design workflows:

  • DTP Software Support: Some page layout applications and printers are configured only for Chenet.
  • Legacy Files: Old archives in Chenet need consistency with new Unicode inputs.
  • Design Preference: Specific letter shapes in Chenet font may be visually preferred by designers.
  • Printing Requirements: Certain publishers demand text in Chenet font format for alignment reasons.

Challenges in Conversion

Converting Unicode Tamil into Chenet font involves challenges similar to any Unicode → legacy conversion:

  • Mapping Differences: Unicode follows logical encoding, whereas Chenet uses arbitrary ASCII mapping.
  • Ligature Handling: Tamil compound characters like க்ஷ, ஞ்ச, ந்த may not map directly.
  • Text Loss: Improper tools may produce broken or unreadable output.
  • Formatting Issues: Spacing, punctuation, and numbers may shift.

Methods of Conversion

1. Online Converters

Several websites(same like this) allow copy-paste Unicode Tamil text and instantly produce Chenet font output. These are simple and user-friendly, but results should always be proofread.

2. Desktop Applications

Software tools for Windows and Mac can batch-convert documents. These are useful for publishers working with large volumes of text.

3. Script-Based Conversion

Programmers can create Python or PHP scripts using mapping dictionaries that replace Unicode code points with corresponding Chenet ASCII symbols. This is ideal for automation in big projects.

4. Word Processors with Macros

MS Word and LibreOffice allow macros to run search-and-replace patterns, making Unicode → Chenet transformation easier for small files.

Step-by-Step Conversion Process

  1. Backup: Always save original Unicode documents.
  2. Identify Text: Verify that the source is pure Unicode Tamil, not already mixed with other fonts.
  3. Select Tool: Choose an online converter, script, or DTP plugin.
  4. Test Sample: Convert a short passage first and check output in Chenet font.
  5. Batch Conversion: Once satisfied, process entire documents.
  6. Apply Chenet Font: Assign Chenet font in word processor or DTP software to view converted text correctly.
  7. Proofread: Check ligatures, spacing, and symbols carefully.

Example of Conversion

    
    தமிழ் எழுத்துக்கள்

    
    RÁr GïjçdLs

Here, the Unicode Tamil text "தமிழ் எழுத்துக்கள்" becomes the Chenet code sequence RÁr GïjçdLs. When displayed with Chenet font, it visually appears in Tamil.

Best Practices

  • Always maintain a mapping table for reference during Unicode → Chenet conversion.
  • Use UTF-8 as source encoding to avoid data corruption.
  • After conversion, apply Chenet font in DTP or Word to confirm correct display.
  • For large projects, automate with scripts but include a proofreading stage.
  • Store a Unicode copy of all documents for long-term preservation even if Chenet output is used temporarily.

Technical Notes for Developers

Conversion relies on mapping Unicode Tamil code points to ASCII sequences used by Chenet. For example:

  • அ (U+0B85) → "m"
  • ஆ (U+0B86) → "M"
  • க் (U+0B95 + U+0BCD) → "f;"

A mapping dictionary in Python or JavaScript can systematically replace all characters. Regex patterns may be needed for compound letters like க்ஷ, ஞ்ச, and ற்ற.

Quality Assurance After Conversion

  1. Read the converted text using Chenet font to ensure legibility.
  2. Check ligatures and compound characters.
  3. Test in DTP layout for alignment correctness.
  4. Print a sample page before mass production.

Future of Tamil Font Systems

While Unicode is the global standard and will remain dominant, legacy fonts like Chenet continue to play a role in DTP and specific design contexts. The best approach is to maintain Unicode as the master copy and convert to Chenet only when required for print. This ensures data preservation while meeting publishing needs.

Conclusion

Unicode to Chenet Tamil font conversion bridges the gap between modern digital standards and legacy publishing practices. By using reliable tools, maintaining a proper mapping system, and applying careful quality checks, one can successfully convert Unicode Tamil into Chenet font for printing, design, and publishing. At the same time, keeping an original Unicode version ensures long-term compatibility and preservation of Tamil language content.