FontForge
FontForge is an open-source font editor that allows users to create and edit various types of fonts. It has robust tools for editing glyph shapes, kerning, hinting, and other typographic features.
font
editor
opensource
typography
glyphs
kerning
hinting
FontForge: Open-Source Font Editor
FontForge is an open-source font editor that allows users to create and edit various types of fonts. It has robust tools for editing glyph shapes, kerning, hinting, and other typographic features.
What is FontForge?
FontForge is an advanced open-source font editor and converter that gives users precise control over fonts and typography. It allows users to create, edit, convert, and even generate their own fonts in formats like OpenType, TrueType, PostScript, and more.
Some of the key features of FontForge include:
- Editing the shape and appearance of glyphs/characters, including control over curves, paths, anchors, and more
- Advanced typographic and spacing controls like kerning, hinting, ligatures, glyph variants, and OpenType features
- Support for many font formats like TT, OTF, WOFF, SVG fonts and more
- Python scripting and automation capabilities
- Cross-platform compatibility across Windows, Mac and Linux
- An extensive set of import/export abilities to use fonts across applications
- Powerful validation tools and ability to troubleshoot font issues
- A full-featured UI with glyph/font viewers, charts, metrics & layout tools
With robust capabilities and an active open-source community, FontForge continues to be popular choice for designers, typographers, and developers looking to build, customize or tweak fonts and typography without restrictions.
FontForge Features
Features
- Vector drawing tools for designing glyphs
- Importing and exporting various font formats
- Editing typographic features like kerning, ligatures, etc
- Font hinting and optimization for screen and print
- Scripting and automation via Python
- Cross-platform - works on Linux, Mac, Windows
- Command line and GUI versions available
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Powerful feature set for free software
Open source with an active developer community
Cross-platform and widely compatible
Scripting allows advanced automation
Supports many font formats and professional features
Cons
User interface can be complex for beginners
Limited native support for variable fonts
Not as full-featured as paid font editors
Documentation and learning resources could be better
Official Links
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