Umm...

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Posted by: AJBlue98
         

[ArchivePoster]

Posted by: Chris Fynn
         

AJ Blue wrote:

 

>> If not, where can I get a tool that will create .ttf files from scratch?

[ArchivePoster]

Posted by: Chris Fynn
         

AJBlue98 wrote:

<< I was under the impression that VTT was a program for
creating fonts. Is that not the case? >>

Basically:- VTT is not a tool for creating fonts and, if you
don't already know  what  it is  for,   you don't need it.

VTT is a specialised tool for adding delta instructions
("hints") to TrueType fonts to improve their legibility at small
sizes and editing these instructions.  It is based on TypeMan,
originally  made by Sampo Kaasila  who is sometimes called " the
inventor of TrueType" - which used to cost many thousands of
dollars before Microsoft licenced it from TypeSolutions and made
this version (VTT) available to font developers.   If you want
to create  TrueType fonts you need a program like FontLab
(http://www.pyrus.com/ ).

If you want to get an idea of what VTT is used for  - take a
look at http://www.microsoft.com/typography/hinting/tutorial.htm

Also read the TrueType  & OpenType font file spec. particularly:
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/OTSPEC/TTCH01.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/OTSPEC/ttinst
http://www.eu.microsoft.com/typography/otspec/ttinst2.doc

At one time there were no other visual tools for editing
TrueType hints (especially on PCs) but FontLab now also includes
features which allow you to manually "hint" TrueType fonts and
these are more than adequate for most purposes.  However there
are some kinds of instruction which FontLab doesn't cover and,
if you really need to add these to your font, then VTT is very
useful.

<< Oh, and I have the latest VTT version (4.22) for Windows XP.
The help file appears to be for an earlier program from the
Macintosh System 7 era.  Is this normal? Where can I get an
updated help file? >>

There is both a Mac and a PC version of this tool. The original
version was available only for the Mac and the graphics in the
help file are based on the Mac version. The program also goes
back a long way - and so do the help files.

Hope this helps

- Chris

[ArchivePoster]

Posted by: Si
         

A few years back we surveyed VTT licensees and got similar complaints. So we posted this to the VTT page... Not sure how anyone reading this could be left in any doubt as to the tools purpose.

 

Is Visual TrueType an appropriate tool for you?

Although the graphical user-interface of VTT dramatically simplifies the task of font hinting, the tool is not for the novice. The learning curve is fairly steep, simply because hinting requires professional skills regardless of the tools. Even accomplished type designers who have been using Fontographer and FontLab for years to design fonts have evaluated VTT and decided that professional hinting is not for them. In a way this is similar to desktop publishing programs, they make it easier for the professional typesetter to cut-and-paste, but they don't make the rest of us professional typographers.  

Licensing Visual TrueType

We have developed Visual TrueType to give more people access to TrueType hinting. We would like to license the tool to individuals and companies who are committed to improving the screen quality of the fonts they produce. However, as VTT is not a tool suitable for everyone we recommend that you review the tutorials and instructions posted in our VTT resources section before contacting us.  

To receive Microsoft Visual TrueType 4.2, please fax us the following;  

1. A completed, signed copy of the Visual TrueType license agreement - Updated for VTT 4.2
2. A covering letter outlining your involvement in font production. This is a requirement if this is your first VTT application.  
3. The version you require, Windows, MacOS (please state which version of Mac OS you are using) or both.

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