Where can I find Helvetica Neue?

[joaosp]

I have an OTF package of Helvetica Neue and I had installed it, but every time I opened a file which contained some text using Helvetica Neue, Photoshop or Illustrator displayed that "resolve fonts" screen. All files I downloaded including mockups, layouts, icons and others which were using HelveticaNeue, there wasn't a match with their "helveticaneue" and the one installed on my computer, and those Helvetica Neue variations are always the same.

So, my question: Are there "standard" files for Helvetica Neue? Sounds like every designer in the world uses the same Helvetica Neue (a TTF version maybe) and I just can't find a file that matches the most used one. I downloaded Helvetica Neue from a lot of sources on the internet but they come different, then I have to see that annoying screen asking me to resolve fonts missing.

If you, designers, use some common website to download fonts including the popstar Helvetica Neue, I really appreciate!!

[grauenwölfe]

macOS comes with a version of it, not sure if Windows does or not, seems like it should.

Fonts are not public property, there are bought, sold and controlled like any other art or tool. If you want the real Helvetica Neue you can get directly from the foundry that created it - https://www.linotype.com/116831/linotype-originals-library.html

[joaosp]

I didn't know MacOS already came with it, Windows doesn't come neither with Helvetica Neue nor standard Helvetica. It's not about being an "authentic" file or having the original font bought from its founder, it's about avoiding a "missing fonts" notice.

[joaosp]

Is there some big difference between otf and ttf formats? Does the MacOS Helvetica Neue version come as otf or ttf? Which one is the most used?

[postrophe]

Hi

Which one is the most used?

Must be the free or pirated version of the font.

If you use the latest PS version, dont the TypeKit fonts can help. (note that I dont use it)

Pierre

[grauenwölfe]

joaogdesigner wrote:

It's not about being an "authentic" file or having the original font  bought from its founder, it's about avoiding a "missing fonts" notice.

I understand completely, it's a constant problem. Any artwork you receive from a designer should be packaged with the fonts they used so for your immediate problem it may be best to let the designer know you need the fonts. For the long term problem, there's no solution really. You can turn on 'font substitution' but that lends itself to an entirely new set of problems, a major one being having to do typesetting everything from scratch again. There are about 5 billion versions of every font made by random people available for free and then there are the originals, crafted by the foundry.

joaogdesigner wrote:

Is there some big difference between otf and ttf formats? Does the MacOS Helvetica Neue version come as otf or ttf? Which one is the most used?

It depends on your needs. If your just needing to print something submitted to you then all you need is the font the designer used. On the other hand, if your the designer then it matters more and OpenType tends to be more flexible, allowing more typesetting and finessing, alternates, ligatures, etc.

In all honesty, just ask the designer for the fonts. It's really common and no one will think twice about sending them to you. They probably just forgot to package the project with the fonts.

[postrophe]

Hi

In all honesty, just ask the designer for the fonts. It's really common and no one will think twice about sending them to you. They probably just forgot to package the project with the fonts.

Be careful with your statements. Fonts are Software (with many Copyright © policies.) Are you going to forward Photoshop to some that is not have it ? (no can do).

In some situation you can send the font to a professional printer, but they know very well to destroy the font from their server as soon the job is done.

Professionally made PDF could include the font glyphs used in the project.

BTW, I'm an old fart "Creative Director" since 40 years. (with many Word Awards/Trophy)

Pierre

[grauenwölfe]

Pierre, already addressed this.

Fonts are not public property, there are bought, sold and  controlled like any other art or tool. If you want the real Helvetica  Neue you can get directly from the foundry that created it - https://www.linotype.com/116831/linotype-originals-library.html.

- and -

There are about 5 billion versions of every font made by random people  available for free and then there are the originals, crafted by the  foundry.

If they forgot to include a set of photographs would joaogdesigner then be responsible for reshooting? More than likely he would notify them that some critical elements of the project were missing.

joaogdesigner,

Allowing another designer access to fonts for the same projects and packaging fonts with projects are both perfectly acceptable. Did the files you downloaded include fonts or not? If they did then you just need to install them and use them, if they did not you need to ask them for the fonts so you can finish the project. It's that simple. And no, there isn't just one single standard Helvetica Neue anymore, there is the original Neue Helvetica from Linotype I posted in the very first reply. Others are legitimate remakes or variations, and a lot are knock-offs and pirated copies.

[joaosp]

No, you didn't understand. When I say "designer" or "websites", I was referring to websites that everyone can download assets from, like dribbble, freepik, behance etc. For example, I've downloaded a psd with all elements of Bootstrap UI, such as buttons, tooltips etc, but I have seen that who works on a Mac usually uses Helvetica Neue, like you've said me that it already comes with Mac, which is great and Mac fonts are very better than those that come with Windows, I just use Windows because Macs in Brazil cost higher than a Camaro in US.

Anyway, when I download a UI, a mockup, a set of buttons or whatever else, they usually come with Helvetica Neue, so it's a top popular font as I can see. I have around 4 options of versions of Helvetica Neue, but they are not the same when they are installed, I mean, every version appears different on Photoshop fonts list, and when I open a file where Helvetica Neue was used in, Photoshop "prompts" me to resolve "missing" fonts. Like you've said, that's an annoying pain really.

[postrophe]

Hi

I'v bought the full Adobe Font Folio many years ago ( $ 10 K ) . (it had the 18 value packs Typefaces, out of the 59 available)

If you want the full professional (value packs) set of that font ( $ 1,040 US ), check Linotype.

Pierre

[Chuck Uebele]

There are differences just between various versions of Helvetica Neue. That was our corporate font, and when we switch from Win XP to Win 8, we had to get a new version what worked with Win 8. Then all my text files had the same problem you're having. I feel your pain, but not sure there is much you can do.

[postrophe]

Hi

All files I downloaded including mockups, layouts, icons and other ..

Are you talking about Adobe Cloud files  ?

Pierre

[grauenwölfe]

Gotcha. I was under the assumption you were downloading project materials from a firm, agency, etc. So we're right back where we started - it can be a constant problem and there is no solution other than buying a version that you like to use in place of all the hack versions. People make their own fonts all the time and name them whatever they want, there may well be 100,000 versions of Helvetica Neue out there for all I know. Frustrating.

If you're not interested in purchasing it then there is positively no solution for you. You will simply just have to deal with having multiple versions on your machine. I purchased the entire family from Linotype about seven years ago and have never messed with another version since. Linotype: Neue Helvetica® font family. Authentic, genuine and a little expensive but worth it.

[joaosp]

Yes, I think that there is no better option than buying the original, doesn't matter if is a font, a software or anything else. The problem is that everything in Brazil costs a whole life and after that it's possible that you're still in debt. In summary, I will "resolve" the missing fonts by picking an option for each them which Photoshop says that is not installed, that's the way...

grauenwölfe​ Could you post here how your Helvetica Neue styles appear in Photoshop, I mean, their exact names/titles? Are you on a MacOS?

Thanks everyone that have contributed with my question!

[grauenwölfe]

joaogdesigner wrote:

grauenwölfe Could you post here how your Helvetica Neue styles appear in Photoshop, I mean, their exact names/titles? Are you on a MacOS?

Hey joaogdesigner,

Of course I'll do that for you. It'll be sometime on Monday.

[grauenwölfe]

joaogdesigner,

Completely forgot about doing this for you, sorry. Anyway, here are screenshots of of Neue Helvetica installed on this very machine in Photoshop 2017, if these screenshots are NOT what you were after then carefully and clearly explain what you're wanting to see and I'll post it back up.

First image is just FYI, only showing the macOS version in case you were curious. Two other Helvetica Neue families from Linotype are listed immediately below it -  'Helvetica Neue LT Pro' and 'Helvetica Neue LT Std'.

Second image: small subset of the Linotype Pro version (not all are loaded).

Third image: Linotype Std (Standard) version.

[joaosp]

Thank you so much man for posting that prints. They'll be very useful. Sorry for the delay.

[postrophe]

Hi @ grauenwölfe

I think we understand each other here.

Thing is, most "templates" on the net are built with placeholder text/font. ( I call them Gremlins templates )

I must have spent $ 20 000 US dollars for fonts ( from many Foundries ) in my studio, (not counting images libraries) or ( hardware & software & staff ) ..etc ..

Last time we use/bought an Indesign templates, we re-built all the stylesheet & fonts.

I recently re-built an old complex QuarkXPress 104 pages catalog to Indesign (took me almost a month to get the stylesheet & all perfect)

Now I mainly cater about Websites and Wordpress +Thesis, only using basic fonts for browsers compatibility. My 2¢

I'm still wondering about the exact PS version and OS version the Op is using ??

Pierre

[joaosp]

In my case, Photoshop CC 2017, Windows 10.

[Jumpenjax]

Helvetica Neuro comes with Mac an is a proprietary font to the Mac and is not compatible with windows system. The equivalent font for Windows would be Ariel or MS Sans Serif.

[tuckerdogavl]

Ariel is, I assure you, NOT equivalent. 🙂 It's a san serif and that's the only thing that remotely equates.