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http://www.macnn.com/articles/02/04/29/adobe.releases/

Adobe releases first OpenType fonts

updated 10:05 am EDT, Mon April 29, 2002

 
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Adobe today announced that more than 650 converted Adobe Type Library (ATL) fonts are now available in OpenType format, promising to release two additional sets separately in the third and fourth calendar quarters of this year.

OpenType is a cross-platform font format that can include an expanded character set for expanded linguistic support and advanced typographic capabilities. The first set of OpenType fonts includes the standard range of Latin characters used throughout the western world, and several international characters, including the euro currency (EUR), "estimated," and litre symbols. Future converted fonts will include merged character sets, so additional glyphs, such as oldstyle figures, small capitals, and swashes, will be contained in one font file.

Adobe OpenType fonts can be installed and used alongside PostScript Type 1 and TrueType fonts, printed to most output devices, and embedded in PDF files. Native support is available in OS X and these are compatible with Mac OS 9 using ATM Light. Discount pricing is available on OpenType fonts through the end of July.


by MacNN Staff

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  1. Sjakelien

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    04/29, 11:17am | report spam | Reply |

    Another Doomed Format

    No matter how much I like (can I say 'love'?) Adobe, I'm afraid Open Type is not going to succeed.
    The idea is nice: a cross-platform Unicode font format, able to support lots of glyphs, ligatures, scripts, etc.
    Remember Apple trying to get rid of postscript fonts by introducing TrueType? Except for some system typefaces, it never took off.
    Same problem here: there is no compelling advantage to Open Type, so that it could ever replace the good old Postscript fonts.
    It would be different, if any Open Type font would by default include all the cyrillic, chinese, etc characters, but that's not the case.
    I think the cross-platform capabilities will actually even scare people more than attract them

  1. Theodour

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    Joined: Apr 2000

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    04/29, 11:19am | report spam | Reply |

    Service bureaus accept?

    Can I send print jobs with open type fonts? Has anyone tried this yet?
    Are these better than Type 1?

  1. MacNN.com Reader

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    04/29, 11:27am | report spam | Reply |

    TrueType never took off!?

    What are you smoking man? TrueType never took off!?

    What. A. Load. Of. Bollocks.

  1. MacNN.com Reader

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    04/29, 11:36am | report spam | Reply |

    Re: TrueType never took o

    If TrueType was as successful as you seem to claim, why are they even bothering with OpenType? Obviously there is some room for improvement.

  1. MacNN.com Reader

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    04/29, 11:43am | report spam | Reply |

    OT rules, Font Reserve

    Now if DiamondSoft's Font Reserve would support OpenType fonts!!!!!!!!!

    I love typesetting a project using InDesign and a well designed OpenType font. The glyph options are amazing! Great kerning, GX-like ligatures, alternative swashes.

    Haven't had a problem with a printer yet with OpenType. In fact, the last printer I dealt with supported Trajan Pro (OT), but not regular Trajan (?!?; not a printer I'd use again). I had to convert all of the text in my project over to the OpenType font.

    As for Sjakelien's ignorant comments, i won't even touch them.

  1. MacNN.com Reader

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    04/29, 11:48am | report spam | Reply |

    TrueType's failure

    TrueType failed because it was never embraced by Adobe. TrueType never quite worked right with PostScript RIPs (weird character spacing, etc.)

    Some printers refused to accept jobs with TrueType fonts.

    Adobe drives the print industry. OpenType will be THE format in a couple of years thanks to Adobe.

  1. rayntosca

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    04/29, 11:50am | report spam | Reply |

    Minor Historical Correct…

    Apple created TruType in a reaction to Adobe jacking-up the price of PostScript licenses and the lack of anything like ATM. In typical Apple fashion, it was better than what was out there, but under appreciated. At least M$ licensed it from Apple for 'Doze.

    But, Postscript licenses came down, and ATM started shipping. So, TruType wasn't really needed, but it really did serve it's intended purpose -- to get an affordable, scaling to any point size, at any resolution font system.

  1. MacNN.com Reader

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    04/29, 11:55am | report spam | Reply |

    MS

    MS supports OpenType.
    need I say more?

    Apple needs to support this just because of that.
    Also isn't one advantage of these over PostScript and TrueType; that they are Web compatible?

  1. MacNN.com Reader

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    04/29, 01:08pm | report spam | Reply |

    Service Bureaus

    True about service bureaus / printers. I'd be interested to know how many of them are ready for OpenType. Most I know still run Quark 3, if that tells you anything.

  1. MacNN.com Reader

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    04/29, 01:11pm | report spam | Reply |

    Fontographer

    Will a Fontographer type of application ever support this? Is there a font creation/converting tool other than the year 1937 version of Fontographer?

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