[kde] [Bug 491464] New: Bold font in QT applications is rendered blurry on Gnome 46

[bugzilla_noreply at kde.org]

https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=491464

            Bug ID: 491464
           Summary: Bold font in QT applications is rendered blurry on
                    Gnome 46
    Classification: I don't know
           Product: kde
           Version: unspecified
          Platform: Arch Linux
                OS: Linux
            Status: REPORTED
          Severity: normal
          Priority: NOR
         Component: general
          Assignee: unassigned-bugs at kde.org
          Reporter: nikolas.gur at stud.uni-due.de
  Target Milestone: ---

Created attachment 172423
  --> https://bugs.kde.org/attachment.cgi?id=172423&action=edit
Blurry bold font when using Cantarell

SUMMARY

When using Gnome, if you install QT applications which use bold font the bold
font is rendered blurry.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Install Arch
2. Install Gnome including the default font Cantarell
3. Install KDE applications such as Kasts

OBSERVED RESULT
Bold text is rendered blurry

EXPECTED RESULT
Bold text should not be rendered blurry

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS

(not relevant, since running on Gnome)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Hello,
On Arch + Gnome 46.4 (both Wayland / XOrg) bold text in QT apps is rendered
blurry, unless you are using Noto Sans, Roboto or Inter Display. In all other
fonts, including the Gnome default font Cantarell and Inter Variable text in
the bold variant in rendered washed out (but only bold text, standard text is
rendered perfectly fine).

Attached is a screenshot for the application Kasts, when the system font is set
to Cantarell 11 and where the bold text looks blurry (it doesn't matter whether
you install it from Flathub or the Arch Repo).

Another screenshot shows blurry bold font when using GNOME UI 11:
https://gitlab.gnome.org/-/project/32009/uploads/3e318ae92061f1c3ad6507993035edac/Gnome_ui_Screenshot_from_2024-07-22_19-08-25.png

Another screenshot shows blurry bold font when using Inter Variable 11:
https://gitlab.gnome.org/-/project/32009/uploads/fbe13bc9c781c7022063e979f04e661c/Inter_Variable_Screenshot_from_2024-07-22_19-07-55.png

For comparison, crisp and sharp when using Roboto / Noto Sans:

Here is a screenshot with the font set to Roboto 11. No blurry bold font:
https://gitlab.gnome.org/-/project/32009/uploads/079ae44fa445aee844c6dc63e1da2371/Roboto_Screenshot_from_2024-07-22_18-58-32.png

Here is a screenshot with the font set to Noto Sans 11. No blurry bold font:
https://gitlab.gnome.org/-/project/32009/uploads/20ea5608726aa55b923077e061abff1f/Noto.png

Kasts is only an example. Some other QT applications which are affected:
MusicBrainz Picard
KWeather
Nextcloud Desktop
Itinerary
KDevelop
…

On the AUR there is fix at least for Cantarell with the package
cantarell-static-fonts
(https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/cantarell-static-fonts). A user commented
already back in 2022: "This package fixes ugly bold fonts in Qt apps". But this
fix is only for Cantarell, so every other font still has the issue of having
bold blurry text.

This issue has been discussed at other places, including
https://gitlab.gnome.org/Teams/Design/initiatives/-/issues/152.
The relevant comment section starts at
https://gitlab.gnome.org/Teams/Design/initiatives/-/issues/152#note_2180348.

One user over there might have a solution for this problem: "This does seem to
be an issue with the Qt toolkit or the app requesting the wrong font weight,
rather than an issue with the font itself. Looks like it's using "Black" (900)
rather than "Bold" (700)." (Source:
https://gitlab.gnome.org/Teams/Design/initiatives/-/issues/152#note_2180545)

Other places where this issue has been discussed, without any satisfying
conclusion:
https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/gnome-ui-font/-/issues/2#note_2178804
https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=295897 (with more screenshots - It
is marked as "[SOLVED]", but the issue still persists)

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