Installing PS1 Fonts on Windows 7

[Thomas_Cho]

Hello,

I use a mac at work but a Windows 7 64-bit machine at home. I'm taking some work with me and I'm looking at the font files that I'll need and I see a bunch of PostScript Type 1 files and one .scr file. I was looking up how to install PostScript Type 1 fonts on Windows 7 and read that you need both the .pfm and .pfb files, but I don't see these here. First, what is the .scr file, and second, will I still be able to download these fonts on to my PC?

Thanks in advance!

Tom

[Dov Isaacs]

Unfortunately, the format for Type 1 files for WIndows is very different from that of MacOS.

For Windows, the font file itself has the suffix .pfb (PostScript Font Binary) and the extended font metrics file has the suffix .pfm (PostScript Font Metrics). Both must be available for the font to be installed and used under Windows. Typically, the two files would be in the same directory. You right-click the .pfm file and chose the Install font option.

The MacOS versions of Type 1 fonts cannot be used under Windows. Typically the font foundry that has supplied you with the MacOS version would also have the same fonts in the Windows format.

          - Dov

[Dov Isaacs]

PS: This is one of the best reasons to migrate to use of cross-platform compatible OpenType fonts!

          - Dov

[Thomas_Cho]

Oh, I buy OpenType as much as possible. I guess while I still have your attention, I've seen some open type fonts say PostScript OTF. I'm a little confused by this. Arent PostScritp and OpenType different formats?

[Dov Isaacs]

There are two flavours of OpenType fonts.

OpenType CFF fonts are OpenType fonts with Type 1 font Bezier curve outlines and hinting (comparable to the old Type 1 fonts).

OpenType TrueType fonts are OpenType fonts with TrueType quadratic curve outlines and hinting.

          - Dov

[Thomas_Cho]

So is "PostScript OTF," seen in the buying options in this link, inaccurate?

http://www.bertholdtypes.com/font/akzidenz-grotesk/standard/

[Dov Isaacs]

On that particular webpage, it would appear that what they describe as PostScript OTF is really OpenType OTF.

          - Dov

[Thomas_Cho]

Whew, that's a relief. I thought I'd be dealing with this all over again. Thanks so much, Dov.

[Thomas_Cho]

Thanks so much for the fast reply, Dov. This has always confused me, so at least I know now!