Accessing get_ascent/get_descent from a FontDescription

[Alex Faucher <afaucher cetoncorp com>]

I'm tasked with doing some very precise font positioning.  In order to 
do this it seems I need to access the ascent/descent from the 
FontMetrics class.  I've spent quite a bit of time with the 
documentation (mostly gtkmm, but I can use the c bindings if thats the 
only way) and I am unable to see how I can get a FontMetrics class from 
a PangoFontDescription or a textual description "Times New Roman"  
Preferably the translation would be short, but I can modify our font 
management to keep the result if nessicary.  Does anyone have any 
recommendations as to how I can get at these metrics?  I don't quite 
understand the internal relationship between Font Families, FontSets, 
Fonts, FontDescriptions etc so any clarification on that point would 
also be helpful.

Lastly, a suggestion, the pango documentation could use a few visual 
guides to the various parameters to those unfamiliar with the details of 
fonts.  This is the 4th or 5th time I've tried to find the measurement 
to tell me the font placement from the baseline.  It is something that 
would be useful and I don't feel qualified doing it myself.

Thanks,
Alexander Faucher

--
Alexander Faucher
Ceton Corporation
4030 Lake Washington Blvd. NE, Suite 208
Kirkland, WA 98033

Phone: 425.828.0515
Fax: 206.299.3536