Add an option to change font smoothing level in macOS

[waydabber]

Some users seek changing the grayscale font smoothing levels in macOS via the following commands:

defaults -currentHost write -g AppleFontSmoothing -int 0
defaults -currentHost write -g AppleFontSmoothing -int 1
defaults -currentHost write -g AppleFontSmoothing -int 2
defaults -currentHost write -g AppleFontSmoothing -int 3
defaults -currentHost delete -g AppleFontSmoothing

There could be a simple menu for this under Tools for easier access.

Note, that this will not bring back subpixel font smoothing (Windows ClearType like fonts for LoDPI displays), simply change the traditional antialiasing intensity (makes fonts look somewhat lighter/bolder).

[ibehnam]

Is it possible to do this only for external displays? On the internal one, fonts look fine, but the external monitor definitely can use some font smoothing.

[waydabber]

This setting works system-wide only I am afraid. :/

[ibehnam]

This setting works system-wide only I am afraid. :/

Dang...
In that case, two things:

1. AFAIK, this needs logging off and on again. Is it possible to do it in a way that applies font smoothing without logging off (as in, using the BD app)?
2. Since most users use their Mac in clamshell mode, can there be an automation script that enables font smoothing when only external display is being used, and revert back when the external display is disconnected?

I know it's probably not the scope of the project, just curious.

[waydabber]

If I remember correctly from the time I was experimenting with this the setting applies on the fly but only for apps that are launched after the setting was changed. All other apps including Finder etc requires a restart. It would be rather drastic to BD simply start restarting all running apps so I guess this is something we'll have to live with. :]

[waydabber]

Hmm. I am not sure this actually does anything at least on Ventura. I did all kinds of experiments and seen basically zero results (or so very subtle that I was not able to pinpoint the change). I am afraid implementing this feature will just result in various complaints about it not working, so I'll drop this for now.

I convert this into a discussion, I might have to reverse course if this feature is requested and is demonstrated to work. :)

[1951FDG]

I believe this could also be a nice addition to the feature-set, especially when using HiDPI resolutions, since font smoothing enabled in those cases can not necessarily look better and tends to look less crisp.

Or maybe add to readme?

As of Monterrey, it appears its either on/off, according to this source:

AppleFontSmoothing is treated as a boolean in Monterey. Entering higher numbers is the same as 1. 0 is less bold but still has anti-aliasing.

• source, https://osxdaily.com/2022/04/06/change-remove-font-smoothing-macos/

There is also an app, https://github.com/bouncetechnologies/Font-Smoothing-Adjuster

Note: I had it set to 2 previously, and wasn't seeing any difference after I upgraded macOS, now after changing to 0, my HiDPI resolution looks a lot sharper that is!

[waydabber]

Hi @1951FDG - re-added as an enhancement request. Sorry for the somewhat delayed reaction to this... 🤣

[waydabber]

#3474