Transfer fonts from Mac to PC

Forum|Forum|16 years ago
August 25, 2009
3 replies
50880 views

Hi there,

I have recently switched from a Mac to PC and have CS4 on my new windows machine.

I rework a lot of open artwork files from Quark and InDesign and most of these originated on a Mac. These files are workable on my machine, however the fonts are not.

Is there any easy way to transfer the Mac fonts so they are readable on a PC?

I believe these are TT or T1 fonts.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Kind regards,

Elliot

P

partypao

Participant

I found the solution. Copy the font files that look like suitcases in Mac (much like a font folder) to a usb drive and copy to your PC. After transfering to windows folder, on windows explorer where the copied fonts are visible click Tools>Folder Options in View tab, tick the 'Show hidden files, folders, or drive', a transparent Resource will appear, and the fonts are in there. Copy them somewere else, and add a file extension .dfont. Convert them by uploading to http://www.fontconverter.org/ and the download the windows version ttf, otf or whatever option you picked on uploading.

if you cant see the resource folder, try doing the tools>view option while veiwing the files on your usb.

Kasyan Servetsky

Legend

When I switched from Quark to InDesign, I used Fontlab to remake fonts. I resaved them in Open Type format: this way I could use the same fonts both on Mac and PC. It takes just about a minute to resave a font.

Kasyan

Dov Isaacs

Legend

Using Fontlab to remake fonts may or may not be a violation of the EULA (End User License Agreement) for your particular fonts. It varies from one font foundry to the next. However, as Bob pointed out, you may lose some font metrics or see changes in such. Furthermore, your remake operation (actually a conversion) may also actually change the font's outlines in subtle ways.

Unless the font in question is absolutely not available in OpenType or Windows TrueType or Type 1 format and the EULA does permit such font modifications, you really are much better off going back to the original font foundry and getting an upgrade to OpenType or at least Windows TrueType or Type 1 for purposes of cross-platform font compatiblity (Windows Type 1 compatibility on Macintosh only with Adobe applications.

- Dov

- Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)

A

Anonymous

I've encountered a similar font issue as the OP. I have many files that need to be updated. They were created years ago using either Pagemaker or InDesign CS on an old Mac. The main font used was Helvetica. I currently use a PC with CS4 that does not have Helvetica as a font option. If I wanted to get this font available on my PC through a cross-platform upgrade should I contact Adobe or the manufacturer of the Helvetica font?