TECH: creating a bitmap font?

A couple of years ago, I created a TrueType font containing a calligraphic
version of the Ciktal syllabary. (Available at http://arj.nvg.org/ciktal/
) It looks okay, but is somewhat illegible at small sizes, so I'm looking
for something better.

As it happens, I have a directory full of 16x16 pixel bitmaps of all the
syllables, and all the diacritics. Do any of you know of any tools that
can be used to turn these pictures into a bitmap font? I am primarily
looking to turn it into a format that is reasonably platform-independent,
but a Linux/X11-only solution would be swell, too.

Is it common for renderers using bitmap fonts to be able to compose
characters themselves, or is it necessary to store precomposed bitmaps in
the font?

--
Arnt Richard Johansen                                http://arj.nvg.org/
Du klickar bara på en ikon så SER DU DITT LOKALA NÄTVERK.
                                 -- Z mag@zine lovpriser Win95 i nr. 7/95

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