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A library to manipulate font files from Python.
Quick Overview
FontForge is an open-source font editor that allows users to create, edit, and manipulate font files. It supports a wide range of font formats, including TrueType, OpenType, and PostScript, and provides a comprehensive set of tools for font design, hinting, and optimization.
Pros
- Cross-platform Compatibility: FontForge is available on multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
- Comprehensive Feature Set: The application offers a wide range of features for font design and editing, including glyph manipulation, kerning, and ligature support.
- Active Community: FontForge has a dedicated community of users and contributors, providing support, resources, and ongoing development.
- Open-source and Free: As an open-source project, FontForge is available for free, making it accessible to individuals and organizations with limited budgets.
Cons
- Steep Learning Curve: The application can be complex and may have a steep learning curve for users who are new to font editing.
- Limited Automation: While FontForge provides a range of tools, it may lack some of the advanced automation features found in commercial font editors.
- Occasional Stability Issues: Some users have reported occasional stability issues or bugs, which can be a concern for mission-critical font development workflows.
- Limited Integration: FontForge may not integrate as seamlessly with other design tools and workflows as some commercial font editors.
Getting Started
To get started with FontForge, follow these steps:
- Download and install FontForge from the official website: https://fontforge.org/en-US/downloads/
- Launch the application and familiarize yourself with the user interface and available tools.
- Create a new font or open an existing font file.
- Use the various editing tools to modify the font, including adding, removing, or adjusting glyphs, kerning, and other font properties.
- Preview the font in different sizes and contexts to ensure it meets your design requirements.
- When you're satisfied with the changes, generate the font file in the desired format (e.g., TTF, OTF, SVG).
- Test the generated font file in your design or development workflow.
Competitor Comparisons
A library to manipulate font files from Python.
Pros of fonttools/fonttools
- Modular and extensible design, allowing for easy integration with other Python libraries
- Comprehensive support for various font formats, including OpenType, TrueType, and WOFF
- Actively maintained with a large and engaged community
Cons of fonttools/fonttools
- Steeper learning curve compared to FontForge, especially for users new to font manipulation
- Limited GUI support, making it less user-friendly for non-technical users
- Dependency on Python, which may be a barrier for some users
Code Comparison
FontForge:
font = fontforge.open("example.ttf")
font.fontname = "Example Font"
font.generate("example.otf")
fonttools:
from fontTools.ttLib import TTFont
font = TTFont("example.ttf")
font.flavor = "OTF"
font.save("example.otf")
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FontForge 
FontForge is a free (libre) font editor for Windows, Mac OS X and GNU+Linux. Use it to create, edit and convert fonts in OpenType, TrueType, UFO, CID-keyed, Multiple Master, and many other formats.
fontforge.org — homepage
designwithfontforge.com — font creation manual
Getting help
The bug tracker is for reporting bugs, not for asking questions. Please direct questions to one of the following:
- Mailing list
- Live chat — #fontforge on Libera
Installation & contributing
INSTALL.md — developer instructions to build from source
setup_linux_deps.sh — a list of installation dependencies
CONTRIBUTING.md — contributing guidelines
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A library to manipulate font files from Python.
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