font issues in classic vs X?

[kialua]

So thanks to all your help here I have had smooth sailing since upgrading from 9.1 to 10.4 with a G4. It's great! Until... I tried to use a new font that came with X. Papyrus. It doens't show up in any of my font tables in PhotoShop or Quark when in Classic mode. So I tried fooling around with the Font Book in X but no luck and no answers in that help menu. Then I did the old font standby: drag and put inside the old system font folder on 9.1 and restarted, but still no luck.

The only thing I can think of is one of two things:
1) too many fonts running and have to ditch some make the new one show up
2) the Datafork Truetype fonts included on X are not compatible with Classic

Any ideas?

[Paul C]

I doubt if it's #1.

I think you've probably reached the right conclusion with #2, unfortunately. If it's in your Classic system folder and it's not showing up in Classic that is probably the case.

peace

[kialua]

I was afraid of that. The X fonts do show up and can be used when in X on applications like Text Edit. so...... bummer. I haven't seen a DTruetype before so it must be something newer for X.

I guess I have to get some compatible system 9 fonts and put them on like I used to if I need them.

Thanks again.

[The Repro Kid]

Commercial font management software will load OSX fonts into your Classic font menus.

(so the free ones might too, I haven't checked it out.)

[Paul C]

Good point Repro. Go to Linotypes site and download FontExplorerX. It's free. I don't use Classic so I can't tell you if it works this way, but there's no harm in trying.

peace

[kialua]

I downloaded the font manager you suggested. It doens't apply to classic.

Thanks anyway.

[Paul C]

Suitcase will definitely load fonts into Classic. Unfortunately it is not free but you could try the demo. I like FontExplorer X better though.

Here's a piece of software that converts formats. You could change Papyrus to a Postrcript T1 font for Classic. You can download a demo here:

http://fontlab.com/Font-tools/TransType/

Make sure and rename it so it doesn't conflict though.

peace

[The Repro Kid]

I checked into Font Explorer X. Besides not loading X fonts into Classic, it also does not support MM master fonts. I believe that is because Classic and MM fonts are both pretty much history. I don't use Classic and really don't need MM fonts for my own personal stuff, so that's no big deal.

But I'm still stuck with suitcase because Font Explorer X does not allow you to manage system fonts and I like to be able to manage my system fonts.

[Paul C]

My version of managing the system fonts is just paring it down as much as possible and then having them loaded into FontExplorerX. If an application makes a font request, they will auto-activate.

Actually I was very surprised what the applications are requesting. Photoshop requests Geeza Pro everytime it starts for example.

Font management in OSX is a nightmare, we all know it and everything so far is just setting for what works best. Let's hope it gets better…

peace

[The Repro Kid]

I've found some documentation aimed at graphics professionals on Apple's website, detailing all the font locations and the minimum fonts needed in each and folder and explanations as to why.

I've had little problems with this info. I suppose I could do the paring by hand, especially when all suitcase really does is move the managed fonts out of their specific locations and into a folder called "managed fonts." In fact, if you re-install suitcase it doesn't even have the sense to be able to find it's old "managed fonts" folder and so the fonts are no longer manageable in your re-installed suitcase until you move them back into their former locations yourself.

[Paul C]

I did the same thing with the Apple documentation and just moved them myself. What is interesting is every time an application requests a font from FontExplorerX, a window pops up telling you what font it is and asking you what you want to do.

I was very surprised and just kept adding the fonts I had stripped out of my system fonts folder until the applications quit requesting fonts that weren't there.

It is kind of cool in that sense…

Suitcase was very flaky on my machine so I started searching for some answers…

peace

[The Repro Kid]

I may have found a better list because I'm able to strip out lot of fonts but have never received a request from any program for a missing non-job-specific (system) font.

I keep a close reign on fonts and try not to let them miff me. I actually now feel comfortable with OS x's font set up.

[kialua]

Just when I thought it was safe to go in the water, font managment rears it's ugly head. ;) It's good to hear that you guys have tread the water and lived to tell. I think I will try the download and rename idea.
Thanks again.