Show HN: I built a zero-browser, pure-JS typesetting engine for bit-perfect PDFs • Hacker News Board

Re: Show HN: I built a zero-browser, pure-JS typesetting engine for bit-perfect PDFs

#61

Post by colbyn » Mon, Mar 02, 2026, 11:37 PM UTC

cosmiciron wrote: post #54

colbyn wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why should we presume it’s an AI description? The writing seems reasonable enough. Some people are more naturally inclined towards articulate writing than others (seems like projection) and furthermore the OP claims to be a screenwriter.

AI helped me write the documentation because it does a better job than I ever could. I honestly wish I’d had AI to help me write my screenplay ten years ago.

Oh I guess I stand corrected. I sometimes wish AI wasn't a thing because any natural talent for writing has now been rendered almost meaningless.

Re: Show HN: I built a zero-browser, pure-JS typesetting engine for bit-perfect PDFs

#62

Post by TimTheTinker » Wed, Mar 04, 2026, 12:41 PM UTC

cosmiciron wrote: post #52

Semaphor wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why use HTML if you want to avoid CSS? HTML default styles only?

Who said I used HTML? It was impossible to write screenplay/manuscript in HTML and receive industry compliant outputs when printed/converted to PDF.

Sounds like you need Scrivener. It outputs industry standard formats for all kinds of manuscripts.

Re: Show HN: I built a zero-browser, pure-JS typesetting engine for bit-perfect PDFs

#63

Post by cosmiciron » Thu, Mar 05, 2026, 3:51 PM UTC

TimTheTinker wrote: post #62

cosmiciron wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Who said I used HTML? It was impossible to write screenplay/manuscript in HTML and receive industry compliant outputs when printed/converted to PDF.

Sounds like you need Scrivener. It outputs industry standard formats for all kinds of manuscripts.

Its UI is too complicated for my taste. Besides, its screenplay support isn't perfect.

Re: Show HN: I built a zero-browser, pure-JS typesetting engine for bit-perfect PDFs

#64

Post by cosmiciron » Thu, Mar 05, 2026, 3:54 PM UTC

colbyn wrote: post #61

cosmiciron wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

AI helped me write the documentation because it does a better job than I ever could. I honestly wish I’d had AI to help me write my screenplay ten years ago.

Oh I guess I stand corrected. I sometimes wish AI wasn't a thing because any natural talent for writing has now been rendered almost meaningless.

I beg to differ. People equate good writing with the cosmetics, which AI excels at, but it’s the substance that truly matters.