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Known Participant
March 11, 2011
Answered

Is it possible to identify font information when the type has be converted to outline?

  • March 11, 2011
  • 6 replies
  • 34499 views

I frequently receive art where the type was converted to outline...and then a type revision needs made. The artist rarely remembers what font was used, and trial and error ends up being used to find a similar font. Is there any way that Illustrator retains this information?

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    Correct answer Jacob Bugge

    Katrina,

    Alas, no.

    The possibility of implementing one particular preventive measure has been up in this forum at least once: electric shock through the keyboard when the user attempts to outline a font without having saved the live type in the document first (the possible failure owing to the countermeasure of using rubber gloves was also mentioned).

    6 replies

    pixxxelschubser
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    August 1, 2023

    The question is over 12 years old. [Locked]

    chrisg11235813
    Participating Frequently
    August 1, 2023

    Yes, sort of.  it's a site called WhatTheFont.

    Participant
    August 1, 2023

    Adobe Fonts now has a "search by image" feature. 

    It may not find the precise typeface but, it will show similar fonts. 

    Known Participant
    March 14, 2011

    LOL Jacob!!!

    Thank you for these websites, this will help.

    I'm hoping a future upgrade of Illustrator can somehow retain the font info.

    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    March 14, 2011

    You are welcome, Katrina.

    I am afraid the retaining of past information is very unlikely.

    There is already a long wishlist, also including original orientation of objects (before rotation(s)) and autosaving of documents, and also including additional specifications such as direction/length/XY values of Handles (which are not even displayed).

    All in all, destruction of information is an integral part of working (on) in Illy, and so far the only way to keep it is to keep copies of earlier versions; one way between full document savings is to copy what you are about to destroy, and hide (and maybe lock) it (you can just leave it there, in the same place).

    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    March 11, 2011

    Katrina,

    And a few more,

    http://new.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/

    http://www.whatfontis.com/

    and one especially for script fonts,

    http://www.bowfinprintworks.com/ScriptIDGuide.html

    and there are many friends in the Typography Forum, who seem to cover almost all fonts between them

    http://forums.adobe.com/community/design_development/typography?view=discussions&start=0

    Jacob Bugge
    Community Expert
    Jacob BuggeCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    March 11, 2011

    Katrina,

    Alas, no.

    The possibility of implementing one particular preventive measure has been up in this forum at least once: electric shock through the keyboard when the user attempts to outline a font without having saved the live type in the document first (the possible failure owing to the countermeasure of using rubber gloves was also mentioned).

    March 11, 2011

    Katrina:

    I feel your pain!

    If I can't figure out what a font is on my own, I've found the following web site helpful in assisting me:

    http://www.identifont.com/