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Thomas Phinney
Inspiring
February 26, 2002
Question

FAQ: Multiple master fonts on OS X

  • February 26, 2002
  • 81 replies
  • 19194 views
(This notice has been updated repeatedly to discuss: OS X 10.2, Adobe app bugs with 10.2 support, "cocoa" applications; Adobe phasing out MM font sales; Adobe discontinuing tech support for MM fonts. Last update: 23 Sep 2005.)

With versions 10.0 and 10.1, Mac OS X's native support for Type 1 and OpenType initially failed to include support for multiple master Type 1 fonts. This problem is fixed in OS X version 10.2 and later for applications using the "carbon" APIs, but not for applications using "cocoa" APIs. The two most common "cocoa" applications are TextEdit and Keynote.

Note that applications running in "Classic" mode are unaffected. They still need ATM for supporting Type 1 fonts, including multiple master fonts.

There is a workaround for some Adobe applications, such as InDesign 2, Illustrator 10 and Photoshop 7. You can rely on the native font imaging support in these applications, which is largely independent of the OS. Just put the fonts in the the Fonts folder in the application's folder, or the Application Support/Adobe/Fonts folder.

Additionally, the above-mentioned Adobe applications may have problems accessing all multiple master instances, when accessing the MM fonts which are installed at the system level, even in Mac OS X 10.2 and later. In some cases, this may be worked around by installing the fonts in the application's own fonts folder or the Application Support folder as described above.

PHASING OUT MULTIPLE MASTER FONTS

Adobe stopped making new MM and Type 1 fonts in 1999, and there is no equivalent to MM in the newer OpenType format. From late 2002 to mid 2003, Adobe phased out sales of multiple master fonts. As of this writing, they can only be bought from Adobe as part of Font Folio 9, which is still available for people who need compatibility with older fonts. The current version of Font Folio is Font Folio OpenType Edition, which shipped in August 2003.

At the end of 2004, Adobe stopped offering tech support for MM fonts, excepting for people with Font folio 9.
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    _Jerie_Heille_
    Participant
    August 15, 2002
    This question isn't about OS X, but I thought you all might have an idea about how to fix this problem: I have projects at two different printers right now who are both having problems with outputting the Myriad Multiple Master fonts that I used. One printer rep tells me that he hears that Multiple Master fonts are often problematic for many printers. Anyone know what might be a solution for this?

    (I have used only the 'default' versions of the font that originally came with it, i.e., I haven't created any new iterations. And I send all of the original Myriad MM files to the printer with the project.)
    MichaelKazlow
    MichaelKazlow
    Legend
    August 16, 2002
    I can't speak about RIPS per se but HP printers and others non-Adobe PS
    interpreters are known to have problems with some MM fonts.

    ...Mike
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    _Jaron_Brass_
    Participant
    July 27, 2002
    In response to the question about the fix for MM fonts to be found in a future version of Mac OS X--I just spoke with a colleague of mine at Apple and he said that OS X 10.2 (aka Jaguar) will fix the problem with MM typefaces. Jaguar should hit store shelves August 24. If you recently bought a Mac, you can get an upgrade for $19.95 or should be able to go to any Apple Reseller and get a "burned copy" for free. The $19.95 is for S&H. If you need to do a flat-out upgrade, it's $129.

    I hope this helps.

    - Jaron
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    _Lance_K_
    Participating Frequently
    July 26, 2002
    Shannon,

    There are at least two places you can put Multiple Master fonts to have them recognized by Illustrator 10.

    You can put them in the Library: Application Support: Adobe: Fonts folder, or you can go to the Applications: Adobe Illustrator 10 folder and create a folder yourself and name it "Fonts" and put the fonts in there.

    Either location should work. They do for me. If the fonts you put there really aren't showing up in Illustrator's font menu, you might want to try the following:

    1. Quit Illustrator.

    2. Do a search for Adobefnt05.lst. Delete any of these files that you find (you should find at least a few).

    3. Restart Illustrator (this will rebuild the Adobefnt05.lst files).

    And in answer to your final question, Yes, you can restart in OS 9 and still use Illustrator 10.

    Hope this helps,

    Lance
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    _Lance_K_
    Participating Frequently
    July 26, 2002
    Kathey,

    Don't know about Photoshop or InDesign, but in Illustrator 10 you still have control to create your own instances of multiple master fonts.

    Go to Window>Type>MM Design to open the MM Design palette. This gives you the same controls found in earlier versions of Illustrator.

    Hope this helps,

    Lance
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    _Shannon_Hester_
    Participant
    July 26, 2002
    i am using illustrator 10 and i am trying to add a new font so that i can use it in illustrator 10. i put the font in the folders listed and still don't see the font in illustrator. what can i do. can i restart in mac os 9 and still use illustrator 10? i would appreciate your help so much. thanks.
    _
    _Kathey_Fatica_
    Participant
    July 26, 2002
    I'm working in OS X.1.5 with Photoshop 7, Illustrator 10 and InDesign 2. I have my MM fonts in my Library/Application Support/Adobe/Fonts folder and I have access (finally) to my MM typefaces.

    None of the new versions of the applications give me control to create my own instances of the fonts. Older versions of Illustrator gave one this control, and later, ATM Deluxe allowed it. Since I have had to revert back to using Suitecase for OS X (at Adobe's suggestion) for my font management, there no longer appears to be a way to use the technology on which the concept of Multiple Master type is based.

    Am I missing something? Is there a way for to adjust particularly the weight of a Multiple Master font?
    _
    _Arcee_Paul_
    Participant
    July 9, 2002
    Thomas,
    I tried your MM font workaround in Illustrator 10, with no success. I have loaded Extensis Suitcase10, to handle my OSX and OS9 fonts, and turned it off, but still no success.

    Is it possible to regenerate the MM fonts in another format to make OSX read them?

    I have been reading the OSX Missing Manual, and there is a description of how OSX sequentially reads fonts and thus elinimates font conflicts...is this interferring with your workaround within Illustrator10?
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    Neil_Keller
    Known Participant
    May 19, 2002
    Vic,

    Please post this as a new topic. Your concern has nothing to do with the multiple masters FAQ. Thanks.

    Neil

    Forum Host
    T
    Thomas PhinneyAuthor
    Inspiring
    April 14, 2002
    I have edited the original message so it says "native" as well.

    Apple prefers that we not comment on features of future OS versions and updates. We are in quite regular contact on these sorts of issues, but I'm afraid I can't say anything in advance.

    T
    N
    Neil_Keller
    Known Participant
    April 12, 2002
    Robin,

    You can rest assured that both Adobe and Apple will post that info when the "fix" is done.

    Neil
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