Skip to main content
Participant
February 5, 2009
Question

accent characters in Window TT fonts (or type 1)

  • February 5, 2009
  • 15 replies
  • 4600 views
I've always wondered how to use the accent characters included in fonts. I'm working in InDesign on a PC, Windows XP or Vista.

Years ago I typeset foreign characters on phototype systems. We'd create characters not available on fonts by setting an accent (for example a grave accent), then the character (for example an "e"), then either disable the typesetter's horizontal advance after the accent was set, or move the character (like the "e") to the left, so that it appeared under the accent mark. This worked quite nicely, with a little trial and error. [Of course I know that we can get the e with a grave accent over it in fonts--but the example explains the problem.]

For most accented characters I use fonts that have what I need--sometimes specialized fonts that I've purchased. But occasionally I need just one character in a more standard font.

Is there some way in Windows to manually create an accented character by using a letter and an accent on the same font (similar to the above example, perhaps)? If so, how is this done? I cannot find any help on this topic. But since the charcters exist on the font, I'm guessing there is a way to use them. . . .

Any enlightenment would be appreciated. Thanks.
    This topic has been closed for replies.

    15 replies

    Ramón G Castañeda
    Inspiring
    February 5, 2009
    >In those now-rare instances where a font lacks an accented character

    I would just avoid that font. It's very likely to be cr@p anyway.
    Ramón G Castañeda
    Inspiring
    February 5, 2009
    The easiest way of generating accented and other special characters in Windows (at least since Windows 95) is to activate ( "install") the included US-International keyboard layout. (Yes, I'm forced to use a Windows box from time to time, and I work in eight languages.)

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306560

    It's even easier than on my Mac as it came from the Apple factory (on which I use a custom keyboard layout that makes it the easiest way of all. :))
    Participating Frequently
    February 5, 2009
    In those now-rare instances where a font lacks an accented character, you
    can create one similar to the way you did formerly by using kerning. Of
    course, you run into those cases where the accent just won't fit the letter
    properly and you end up spending time adjusting the size and baseline shift
    of the accent. I suppose if it is a long composition you could record a
    macro and assign a shortcut -- but I'd rather choose a font with true
    accented glyphs whenever possible.

    Trez
    Known Participant
    February 5, 2009
    I'm a Mac user for which accents are somewhat easier than on a Windows machine. For Windows, you use Alt+nnn or Alt+nnnn where the n digits represent the specific accented letter you're attempting. I found this table: http://www.starr.net/is/type/altnum.htm

    Neil
    Known Participant
    February 5, 2009
    I'm a Mac user for which accents are somewhat easier than on a Windows machine. You use Alt+nnn or Alt+nnnn where the n's represent the specific accented letter you're attempting. I found this table: http://www.starr.net/is/type/altnum.htm

    Neil