KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q87817: INFO: TrueType Font Converters and Editors

Article: Q87817
Product(s): Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.1,95; winnt:3.5,3.51,4.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbOSWinNT350 kbOSWinNT351 kbOSWinNT400 kbOSWin95 kbSDKWin16
Last Modified: 12-MAY-2001

3.10 4.00 | 3.50 3.51
WINDOWS   | WINDOWS NT
kbgraphic

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) 3.1 
- Microsoft Win32 Application Programming Interface (API) 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

The text below lists a number of commercial software tools that convert existing
fonts to TrueType fonts or help build new fonts. The tools are listed in
alphabetical order by name. None of these tools is recommended over any other,
nor over any that are absent from the list. Each of the tools has its own
strengths and weaknesses. Before making any purchase, examine the tool and its
documentation to see if it meets your needs. This list will be updated as more
tools become available.

Some of the following tools run on an Apple Macintosh while others run on an IBM
PC/AT or compatible computer. The same TrueType font can run on a Macintosh or
with Microsoft Windows operating system version 3.1.

To convert a font from the Macintosh to Windows 3.1, save the data fork from a
Macintosh font to a file, copy the file to an MS-DOS-formatted disk, give the
file a .ttf file extension, and use the Windows 3.1 Control Panel to install the
font.

The products included here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft;
we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance
or reliability.

MORE INFORMATION
================

Last Update: 24 July 1992

                     FONT CONVERSION UTILITIES
                     =========================

AllType for MS-DOS
------------------

Author: Atech Software

             5964 La Place Court, Suite 125
             Carlsbad, CA 92008
             (619) 438-6883

Description:  Character-based application running under MS-DOS.

             Converts almost any font format to any other. Supported
             formats include TrueType, Type-1, Type-3, Nimbus-Q, and
             Intellifont.


Evolution 2.0 for Macintosh
---------------------------

Author: Image Club Graphics, Inc.

             1902 11th St. SE, Suite 5
             Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2G 3G2
             (403) 262-8008

Description:  Converts almost any font format to any other. Supported

             formats include TrueType, Type-1, and Type-3.

FontMonger for Windows

FontMonger for Macintosh
------------------------

Author: Ares Software

             561 Pilgrim Drive, Suite D
             Foster City, CA 94404
             (415) 578-9090

Description:  Converts almost any font format to any other. Supported

             formats include TrueType, Type-1, Type-3, and
             Intellifont. Also provides minor font editing by
             creating composite characters or rearranging the
             characters in a font.


Incubator for Windows
---------------------

Author: Type Solutions, Inc.

             91 Plaistow Rd
             Plaistow, NH 03865
             (603) 382-6400

Description:  Supports adding effects to TrueType fonts. Contact Type

             Solutions for more information.

Metamorphosis Professional for Macintosh
----------------------------------------

Author: Altsys Corp.

             269 W. Renner Rd
             Richardson, TX 75080
             (214) 680-2060

Description:  Converts almost any font format to any other. Supported

             formats include TrueType, Type-1, Type-3, and PICT
             format. One interesting feature allows the user to read
             a Type-1 font from the ROM of an Apple LaserWriter
             printer and convert the font to another format.

                            FONT EDITORS
                            ============

Fontographer 3.5 for Windows

Fontographer 4.1 for Macintosh
------------------------------

Author: Altsys Corp.

             269 W. Renner Rd
             Richardson, TX 75080
             (214) 680-2060

Description:  A complete font editing tool. Supports creating a font

             from scratch and modifying existing fonts. Supports a
             variety of formats including TrueType and Type-1.
             Includes an autohinter.

FontStudio 2.0 for Macintosh
----------------------------

Author: Letraset Graphic Design Software

             40 Eisenhower Dr
             Paramus, NJ 07653
             (800) 343-TYPE  or (201) 845-6100

Description:  A complete font editing tool. Supports creating fonts

             from scratch and modifying existing fonts. Supports a
             variety of formats including TrueType and Type-1.
             Includes an autohinter.

TypeMan 1.0 for Macintosh
-------------------------

Author: Type Solutions, Inc.

             91 Plaistow Rd
             Plaistow, NH 03865
             (603) 382-6400

Description:  Designed for font foundries, this tool provides precise

             control over the hints in a font and includes an
             autohinter. Supports specifying a font in a high-level
             programming language, which the tool compiles to the
             binary TrueType format.

Additional query words: 3.10 4.00 true type

======================================================================
Keywords          : kbOSWinNT350 kbOSWinNT351 kbOSWinNT400 kbOSWin95 kbSDKWin16 
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbWin3xSearch kbSDKSearch kbWin32sSearch kbWin32API kbWinSDKSearch kbWinSDK310
Version           : WINDOWS:3.1,95; winnt:3.5,3.51,4.0
Issue type        : kbinfo

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.