A Powerful Tool for Font Compilation and Creation

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Fontmake: A Powerful Tool for Font Compilation and Creation

Are you a font enthusiast looking to compile fonts from various sources and create stunning designs? Look no further than fontmake—a versatile tool that empowers you to bring your font ideas to life. In this article, we’ll explore the features and capabilities of fontmake, guiding you through the installation process, basic usage, troubleshooting, and even advanced usage for developers.

Installation

To get started, make sure you have Python 3.8 or later installed on your system. Fontmake can be installed easily using the pip package manager. Simply run the following command in your terminal:

bash
pip3 install fontmake

To update fontmake and its dependencies to the latest release, use the -U or --upgrade option:

bash
pip3 install -U fontmake

Basic Usage

Once fontmake is installed, you can start using the fontmake executable. One of the most common use cases is compiling a variable font from a Glyphs source file. Here’s an example command:

bash
fontmake MyFont.glyphs -o variable

The -o flag allows you to choose the output file format, which can be either OpenType (OTF) or TrueType (TTF). Fontmake supports various source file formats, such as Glyphs, UFO, and designspace. You can specify the source file using either flags or as a positional argument.

Output Formats

Fontmake provides several output file formats, including per-master OTF and TTF binaries, variable fonts, and intermediate formats for internal use. Here are some of the available options:

• otf (CFF-outline) binaries
• ttf (TrueType-outline) binaries
• otf-cff2 with CFF2 outlines
• variable TrueType variable fonts
• variable-cff2 with CFF2 outlines

If no output format is specified, the default is otf and ttf.

Advanced Usage

Fontmake offers advanced features for developers and experienced users. To explore these options, check out the USAGE.md file in the fontmake repository. You’ll find detailed instructions on leveraging fontmake’s capabilities to enhance your font creation workflow.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues while using fontmake, don’t worry. Fontmake provides a comprehensive TROUBLESHOOTING.md guide that addresses common problems and their solutions. Consult this guide to resolve any difficulties you may face.

Developers

For developers who want to contribute to fontmake or test changes without reinstalling, the fontmake repository on GitHub is the go-to resource. By cloning the repository, you can access the latest version of fontmake. Run the following commands:

bash
git clone https://github.com/googlefonts/fontmake
cd fontmake
pip install .

To quickly test changes to the source code, use the --editable option:

bash
pip install -e .

It’s recommended to install fontmake in a virtual environment to avoid conflicts with other globally installed modules.

Releasing a New Version

If you’re a fontmake contributor and need to release a new version, follow these steps:

1. Commit and push your final changes.
2. Create an annotated Git tag of the version number, starting with “v”, such as v3.1.1.
3. Write the release notes in the tag message.
4. Push the tag to the remote repository.

Conclusion

Fontmake is an invaluable tool for font designers, providing a seamless way to compile fonts from various sources and create both static instances and variable fonts. By following the installation process, exploring basic usage, and delving into advanced features, you’ll unlock the full potential of fontmake. Enjoy the vast possibilities of font creation and take your typography skills to new heights.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Happy fontmaking!

References:
– Fontmake on PyPI
– Fontmake repository on GitHub