FontForge: Arranging Glyph Order for Better Font Design
FontForge is a powerful open-source font editor, used by many font designers to create beautiful, functional fonts. One of the important tasks in font design is arranging the glyph order, also known as glyph sorting. This might seem like a small detail, but it can have a significant impact on the overall performance and usability of your font.
Why is Glyph Order Important?
A well-arranged glyph order makes your font more efficient and easier to use. Here are some reasons why it matters:
- Faster Font Loading: When a computer displays text using your font, it needs to access specific glyphs. A logical glyph order helps the computer find these glyphs quickly, resulting in faster loading times.
- Efficient Font Rendering: Proper glyph order can help optimize how your font renders on different devices and platforms. This is especially important for complex fonts with a lot of glyphs.
- Better Compatibility: Certain applications and operating systems have specific expectations for glyph order. By following these standards, you ensure your font is compatible with a wider range of programs and systems.
- Easier Editing: A well-ordered glyph table makes it easier to navigate and edit your font in FontForge. You can quickly find specific glyphs and make adjustments without having to search through a messy, unsorted list.
How to Arrange Glyph Order in FontForge
FontForge provides several ways to arrange glyph order:
1. Manual Reordering:
- Select the glyph you want to move.
- Use the "Move Up" or "Move Down" buttons in the Glyph List window.
- You can also drag and drop glyphs to their desired position.
2. Automatic Sorting:
- Go to the "Element" menu.
- Select "Sort Glyphs..."
- Choose from various sorting options, such as:
- Unicode order: Sorts glyphs based on their Unicode code points.
- Glyph name: Sorts glyphs alphabetically by their names.
- Encoding: Sorts glyphs based on their position in the chosen encoding scheme.
3. Using Scripts:
- For more complex sorting needs, you can write your own Python scripts.
- FontForge provides a powerful scripting environment that allows you to manipulate glyphs, names, and other font data.
Tips for Arranging Glyph Order
- Start with the basic glyphs: Begin by organizing the standard glyphs like uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and punctuation marks.
- Consider Unicode order: Using Unicode order is a good starting point for most fonts. It ensures your glyphs are arranged in a logical, standardized manner.
- Group similar glyphs: Put related glyphs together, such as ligatures, accents, and punctuation marks. This makes it easier to find and edit these glyphs.
- Use meaningful glyph names: Choose clear, descriptive names for your glyphs. This helps you remember their purpose and makes it easier to find them in the Glyph List.
- Test your font: After arranging glyph order, test your font thoroughly to ensure it renders correctly and performs well in different applications.
Example of Arranging Glyph Order
Let's say you're working on a font that includes accented characters. You might want to arrange the accented characters in a logical order, grouping them with their base characters:
- a
- à
- á
- â
- ä
- b
- c
- ç
- d
This arrangement makes it easier to find and edit the accented characters.
Conclusion
Arranging glyph order in FontForge is an important step in creating a well-designed, efficient font. By following the tips and methods outlined above, you can ensure your font loads quickly, renders correctly, and is easy to use. Remember that a well-organized font not only looks good, but also makes a positive impact on its performance and usability.