Description

Macromedia Fontographer is a software package that allows users to create new typefaces for their multimedia projects.  Using its various editing windows, you can either modify an existing typeface, combine two into one, or create a brand new typeface from scratch.  Fontographer recognizes Type1, Type3, and TrueType fonts (or typefaces), and it is compatible with both Windows and Macintosh platforms.  To create a font, you simply use the tool palette in the Outline Window to draw or edit each letter.  The Metrics Window allows you to specify character height, spacing, and leading.  Upon creation, each letter appears in its proper box within the Font Window.  This window displays each character in the typeface so that the entire character set can be viewed at once.  Should you wish to view a character at the pixel level, you may do so in the Bitmap Window.

Fontographer provides capabilities beyond simply designing new typefaces.  You can scan in a logo and have it recall that logo by pressing a specified key.  You can scan in a signature, have Fontographer autotrace it, and make it a font.  The calligraphic pen is great for addressing envelopes for formal occasions.  Special symbols and foreign characters can also be used in a font.

My first impression was that Fontographer seems relatively easy to learn and use.  However, I was limited in that I only have the Fontographer 4.1 demo version.  I reviewed the help information before diving in, and it informed me of the various pull-down menus and tool palette options.  I then modified the sample font to create my own, and I drew a few letters from scratch using the shape and line tools on the tool palette.  I also took time to go through the "Creating a Complex Logo Font" tutorial.  While the concepts are straight forward, I believe actually carrying out the task is more difficult than it appears.  Overall, I feel that Fontographer is an excellent tool for creating multimedia fonts.

For more information on their products, go to www.macromedia.com.

Multimedia Production

As alluded to above, Fontographer is ideal for creating typefaces to be used in multimedia projects.  Its numerous capabilities transform into endless possibilities for the graphic designer.