| Choosing a Font File Format |
Selecting the right font file format is as important as knowing your Operating System.
Certain font file formats only work with certain operating systems while some font file
formats work equally well on different operating systems. Knowing which font file format
you need will save you valuable time and will allow you to avoid great frustration.
PostScript (Type 1) |
TrueType |
Windows PostScript or Windows TrueType? |
OpenType
|
 |
|
A. Postscript (Type 1) |
Adobe PostScript® Type 1 is a worldwide standard for digital type fonts
(International Standards Organization outline font standard, ISO 9541).
It was first developed by Adobe Systems for use in PostScript printers.
Although Adobe is a leader in the design and manufacturing of Type 1 software
and maintains the standards for Type 1, hundreds of companies around the world
have designed and released more than 50,000 typefaces in the Type 1 font file format.
The Type 1 font file format is recognized on every computer platform, from
microcomputers to mainframes. It prints on virtually every printer, either
directly through built-in PostScript language interpreting, or through add-on
utilities, such as Adobe Type
Manager® (ATM®). ATM technology is integrated into Microsoft® Windows® 2000
and is expected to be integrated into the Macintosh operating system. For more
than a decade, Type 1 has been the preferred format for the graphic arts
and publishing industries.
Windows PostScript fonts include three or four files. The most important
files are the .pfb, .pfm, .inf files. Often, a fourth file is included,
the .afm file.
Mac PostScript fonts include two or three files. The most important
files are the font suitcase for screen display and a PostScript file
for printing. Often, a third file is included, the Adobe Font Metrics
or AFM file.
|
|
| B. TrueType |
|
TrueType® is a standard for digital type fonts that was developed by
Apple Computer,
and subsequently licensed to
Microsoft Corporation. Each company has made independent
extensions to TrueType, which is used in both Windows and Macintosh operating systems.
Windows &
Macintosh TrueType fonts
fonts have only a single file.
|
|
| C. Windows Postscript or Windows TrueType |
When in doubt and if available, select the TrueType font format. A TrueType font is easier to install,
because there is only one file to worry about (each PostScript font has at least two).
However, you will need the PostScript Type 1 format if you are sending your original files to a service
bureau, printer, or publisher for high-quality printing.
Please note: You must be running Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later in order to install Windows TrueType fonts.
Did you know? Mac OS X users can also install and use Windows TrueType Fonts.
|
|
| D. OpenType |
OpenType® is a new cross-platform font file format developed jointly by Adobe and Microsoft.
OpenType supersedes Microsoft's TrueType Open extensions to the TrueType format. OpenType
fonts can contain either PostScript or TrueType outlines in a common wrapper. An OpenType
font is a single file, which can be used on both Macintosh and Windows platforms without
conversion. OpenType fonts have many advantages over previous font formats because they
contain more glyphs, support more languages (OpenType uses the Unicode standard for
character encoding,) and may support rich typographic features such as small caps, old
style figures, and ligatures — all in a single font. The OpenType format is an extension
of the TrueType SFNT format that also can support Adobe® PostScript® font data and new
typographic features. OpenType fonts containing PostScript data, such as those in the
Adobe Type Library, have an .otf suffix in the font file name, while TrueType-based
OpenType fonts have a .ttf file name suffix.
OpenType fonts may include an expanded character set and layout features, providing broader
linguistic support and more precise typographic control. Feature-rich OpenType fonts can be
distinguished by the word "Pro," which is part of the font name and may also appear in
application font menus. OpenType fonts can be installed and used alongside PostScript Type 1
and TrueType fonts.
Please note: Not all applications support OpenType fonts.
For information more on OpenType, click
http://www.adobe.com/type/opentype/
|
|
|
 |
|
Secure
Online Shopping Guaranteed