Introduction and general query

[sprale]

I'm new to the creation and modification end of fonts. I have been a graphic designer for over a decade, taking on technical projects along the way. I have been tasked with modifying the font Verdana PS for internal use at work. I have a license for Fontographer 4.7, now where to begin...

The details of the project are vague so far, I just want to do my research before jumping into new territory. Do I have the right tool? Is there anything else I need before beginning? Any suggested reading?

I'll be working under Mac OS X 10.4.11 on a PowerPC G5. The final font will need to be used on Windows XP systems.

[dse]

make sure you have latest update installed.

get access to a windoze machine you can test the font on

Make sure you have an archive copy of the source of the Verdana font before starting.

If at all possible make sure you have a thorough understanding of the clients expectations, not just whatever new characters, alternative encoding(s), or tweaked kerning and metrics, but also what usage will be made, eg, will it be used for Headings?  teeny tiny print?  What machines, OS, PS with ATM?  TT?  That will let you test the wee beastie.

Hints are usually the major problem when mucking about with a commercial font, Fontographer has decent hinting capabilities, but ITC, Adobe and the other big boys have better (much more expensive) ones, and when you mess with a commercial font you will be substituting your hints for theirs.

Try one simple modification and compare the modified font to a reference standard.  Be sure you rename yours including an internal name that changes to reflect versioning so you can distinguish it in font menus.

Bigger monitor is better, smaller ones limit the resolution when you drag points about.  Play and discover how you can clean up the path point locations.  More important for symbolic fonts with combining glyphs such as the music fonts I design, but a skill you will want to have.

Have been working with 4.1.3 on a Quadra 650, appologies if my experiences arent applicable due to upgraded feature set of 4.1.7