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detailed_star3306
Participating Frequently
January 9, 2025
Answered

Opentype properties are not applicable – In InDesign, but they are in Illustrator though?

  • January 9, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 1310 views

Hi,

For some glyphs in Indesign, I get the message that Opentype properties are not applicable. I can open the Glyphs panel and double-click on the Glyph I want and have it written in the textbox. 

I can also easily select the glyph in Illustrator.

Is there a setting that I do not know of? I am quite new to Illustrator.

Correct answer Peter Spier

These are the alternative rounded glyphs I need to use for a project. I can add them using the Glyphs panel, but that is not a viable option for the entire project. 

It doesn't work to create a character style with these alternative glyphs, because the any character style I create will only create the default squared glyphs.

I can also select one letter and choose an alternative glyph, but only for some glyphs, others will give the same error message when I select them. 

And this is not a problem in Illustrator. 

 


I think the only way to achieve this with a character style would be to edit the font and add the glyphs to a stylistic set.

1 reply

Mike Witherell
Community Expert
Mike WitherellCommunity Expert
Community Expert
January 9, 2025

Different OpenType fonts differ in how many and which OpenType features they have built into them.

I'm not clear on what you are seeing or asking about. Can you expand on it?

Mike Witherell
D
detailed_star3306Author
Participating Frequently
January 9, 2025

I use Helvetica Now Display Xblack in both Illustrator and Indesign and use alternative glypsh for the dot, comma and so on. But in Indesign I get the error message that "Opentype properties are not applicable" when I try to add some of the alternative glyphs, and I also cannot create a character style with the glyps I want (I get the same error message) when I add the character style to any text box. 

But this is not a problem in Illustrator. Same font, same machine. So I wonder If there is a setting I do not know of in InDesign?

D
detailed_star3306Author
Participating Frequently
January 9, 2025

Who makes these typefaces and how did you install them? (Oh, its Monotype, I see.)

Are you using the Variable Type version?

I'm curious why you want an alternate glyph for period stop dots and commas?

I'm still unclear on the circumstance and moment you get that message from InDesign. (Sorry to be dense!)

Can you do a screen record of you working on your file?


These are the alternative rounded glyphs I need to use for a project. I can add them using the Glyphs panel, but that is not a viable option for the entire project. 

It doesn't work to create a character style with these alternative glyphs, because the any character style I create will only create the default squared glyphs.

I can also select one letter and choose an alternative glyph, but only for some glyphs, others will give the same error message when I select them. 

And this is not a problem in Illustrator. 

 

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