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Q1. Why do I need FontMaker?
You need FontMaker if you are a FrameMaker user and you want to use fonts other than the standard set provided by Frame Technology. If you create newsletters, marketing pieces, product sheets, user manuals, mailers, order forms, advertising copy, or any other documents that could be enhanced with the addition of other type faces then you need FontMaker.
FrameMaker is such a powerful tool, why not take advantage of its ability to display any font!
Q2. Can't I just convert fonts for use with FrameMaker directly by using tools provided by Frame Technology?
In theory, yes. It is possible to convert Type 1 fonts using a combination of tools from Frame Technology and Adobe. To convert a PC font the Frame documentation says that you simply run the fmAbf2bfont program on the .abf files (screen fonts) that are included with the fonts from Adobe. Unfortunately, Adobe stopped shipping .abf files with fonts years ago.
In order to create .abf files you need Adobe's Font Foundry program. The Font Foundry is a PC program used to convert Type 1 fonts for PC use. Unfortunately, Adobe has discontinued the Font Foundry and it is no longer available. But, if you happen to have Font Foundry you can follow the instructions and create .abf files. You must load the program on a PC and follow a set of instructions that includes editing batch files and possibly creating configuration files for each font. If you get this all figured out, you still have to worry about transferring the files between your PC and your UNIX system, running the fmAbf2bfont program, and editing Frame's fontlist file.
Q3 How do I use FontMaker in Demo mode?
FontMaker is designed to let new users try it before they buy it. FontMaker will operate without a license to partially convert any font for FrameMaker usage. Partially converting a font means than only a small number of characters in the font are created. The characters that are created are: &, 1, 2, 3, H, R, a, b, e, g, h, m ,n, o, r, s, u, and v. All other characters in the font's character set appear as blank spaces.
Additionally, FontMaker will fully convert four faces from the Utopia font family in Demo mode without a license.
FontMaker's downloading capability is fully functional in Demo mode.
For more information on Demo mode click here.
Q4. How do I acquire and install a FontMaker license?
Call Vivid Solutions at 1-800-868-4843. The cost of a license is US $198. You may pay by Visa or MasterCard.
Or, use our fax form and fax your order to 408-224-5155.
To install the license, display the FontMaker License dialog by selecting License from the File menu. Enter the license in the Text Field and press Save.
Q5. How do I install fonts on my UNIX system?
This has been a long-time problem on UNIX systems.
It's easy to install a font on a MAC or PC but not so straightforward on a UNIX system. Historically, standard PostScript Type 1 fonts could not be used directory on UNIX.
This has changed int the last few years with the release of X11R5 and Display PostScript. The X11R5 servers includes a Type 1 rasterizer which makes it possible to use Type 1 fonts in X applications. The Display PostScript system (available from several vendors including Sun and SGI) also uses Type 1 fonts directly.
Knowing how to take advantage of Type 1 fonts is still a mystery to many. To make fonts available to X applications you must do the following:
To make fonts available to Display PostScript, do the following:
Fortunetly, Adobe has just recently developed an application that automates this procedure. The application is called Adobe Type Installer. It performs all the steps necessary to install fonts for use with X and Display PostScript. Contact Adobe Systems for more information.
Q6. Can I use any PostScript Type 1 font with FontMaker?
FontMaker has been tested with all the fonts in the Adobe type library. It successfully converted all but 8 of the fonts using the default rasterization method. Using the -dps option, FontMaker successfully converted all the fonts in the Adobe type library.
Not all fonts that claim to be PostScript Type 1 are necessarily of good quality or follow all the rules of the Adobe Type 1 Font Specification. There is no guarantee that fonts from any source other than Adobe will work with FontMaker.
Q7. Where can I find fonts on the Internet?
You can find some Type 1 fonts in MS-DOS/UNIX format at the following locations:
Q8. Where can I buy fonts?
There are many of font manufactures. Here are a few: