What's the best way to collect all InDesign fonts into Document fonts and point to this folder?

[dublove]

The font issue is still a headache.

Different people's files have different fonts, and ID's packing feature doesn't work for many fonts.

It's impatient to deal with other people's files that are always missing fonts. Now we are afraid to use too many fonts.

I looked for a script a long time ago, and now I find that I can't type some fonts either.
I've also chatted about finding fonts that point to C:\windows\Fonts and others that point to Document fonts.

Any suggestions?

[Randy Hagan]

First, if you're using subscription fonts (e.g. Adobe Fonts service, Google Fonts service, among others) you're not going to be able to collect/package those fonts. Access and distribution of those fonts are controlled by their respective services and while they are available for your use, they are not, per se, "installed" on your system. So no matter how you script it, that isn't going to happen.

You're also probably finding that packaging won't help you with deprecated PostScript Type 1 fonts, especially in a mixed platform — not saying Mac vs. PC, but more like legacy systems in either platform using PostScript Type 1 fonts and newer installations which prohibit them. Packaging won't help because the newer systems cannot successfully process using them.

If you can share some of the specific issues you're having with packaging/distributing fonts and which fonts/types of fonts you're having issues with, we may be able to help you address specific font issues you're having and guide you toward solution(s).

Randy

[Eugene Tyson]

It can definitely be frustrating to deal with missing fonts, especially when working with files from multiple contributors. One approach that might help is creating a standardised workflow for fonts within your team or organisation.

I use Connect Fonts which adds 'font sense' to the fonts which enables to be activate and deactivate automaically and has a plugin directly to the Adobe Apps which suits me, means I can have 100s of the same font, say Myriad Pro variations, or Helvetica variations, and the App can turn on the right one depending on the document

There are other tools like Suitcase Fusion or FontBase can help manage, activate, and deactivate fonts on demand, reducing the clutter of conflicting installations.

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What font policies do you have now? Have you established a list of preferred or allowed fonts for projects and share this with everyone involved?

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Maybe for team projects, you can save fonts in the 'Document fonts' folder within the project package, ensuring everyone working on the project has access. (As noted earlier this won't work for Adobe Fonts or subscription fonts.)

Maybe a script could help identify missing fonts and notify you in bulk. There could be a way to maybe script the fonts being used get saved to a text file or something like that so the next person can activate or find the right fonts used.

Just some ideas.

[dublove]

That would be great, if Adobe could give users three options:
Automatic
Point to document fonts
Points to C:\windows\fonts

[Eugene Tyson]

Automatic would be 3rd party like Connect Fonts plugin 

It points to Document Fonts first, as far as I know.

Then system fonts. 

It's up to the user to manage their fonts, they are in effect 3rd party software, as that is what fonts are, a bit of software essentially.

Adobe has offered solutions, it's up to you to use it correctly or in a way that suits you. 

Or purchase another option which can manage the solution outside of the Adobe ecosystem.

[dublove]

I mean. the Adobe software itself should offer three options.
Right now, it only offers to have a smart selection feature.

[Eugene Tyson]

I don't see any need for it but if you do you can make a request here

https://indesign.uservoice.com/forums/601021-adobe-indesign-feature-requests

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

I mean. the Adobe software itself should offer three options.

By @dublove

But it's up to you - how you manage fonts. 

If you need to have fonts available permanently - for all your INDD Documents - put them into system folder or use Adobe Fonts.

If you prefer to use specific fonts for a specific job - put them in a folder next to your document. 

[dublove]

Sometimes I have to deal with a lot of people's files, but I don't want to install fonts for those files.
To prevent mismatches, I want the fonts for their files  just point to Document fonts

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Sometimes I have to deal with a lot of people's files, but I don't want to install fonts for those files.
To prevent mismatches, I want the fonts for their files  just point to Document fonts

By @dublove

And by default - InDesign is looking in the Fonts folder next to the INDD document - but you should make sure, that you don't have duplicates in the system.

So if you are dealing with a lot of "strange" fonts - never install them in the system.

[Eugene Tyson · Accepted solution]

Indesign is not a font management system

I'm locking the conversation and urging you to use the feature requsest.

[dublove]

https://indesign.uservoice.com/forums/601021-adobe-indesign-feature-requests/suggestions/49255034-re...

A request has been sent out, go sponsor a vote.
Honestly, that site is so hard to use and I've heard it's basically ineffective for feedback