Convert OS9 Postscript fonts to OS X format -- help needed

[Jerry Cederquist]

Hello. I have a couple dozen Postscript type 1 fonts on my OS9
Wallstreet Powerbook that I would like to use on my new OS X iMac
machine without having to repurchase them.

When I transfer the font files over to the iMac using File Sharing, they
seem to come over fine, The file type in the Finder window on the iMac
says Postscript Type 1 outline font for the files. However, when I
double click on the font's icon to install it, FontBook opens, but to
an empty window where I would expect the font to show up. I've tried
using the add-a-font menu command in FontBook, but that also fails in
the same way.

I seem to remember discussions several years ago that had to do with the
font-outline data being in the resource fork in OS 9 and in the data
fork in OS X. Is that what's going on here? Is there a converter program
(preferably that runs on OS X) that will fix up the format of the font
file so that OS X understands it.

TIA for any help you can give,

Jerry Cederquist

[John Rethorst]

Post by Jerry Cederquist
Is there a converter program
(preferably that runs on OS X) that will fix up the format of the font
file so that OS X understands it.

Dfontifier, at http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/21216. I
haven't used it, but people say it works.

[Jerry Cederquist]

Post by John Rethorst
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/21216

Thanks for the reply, John. Unfortunately, dfontifier doesn't work for
Postscript type 1 fonts, according to the author on his web site. Since
my biggest problem is Postscript fonts, I've got to hope someone else
posts.

However, I do have a couple of Truetype fonts that I'd like to convert,
so your tip will come in handy. Thanks!

Jerry Cederquist

[Martin Sammtleben]

Post by Jerry Cederquist
When I transfer the font files over to the iMac using File Sharing, they
seem to come over fine, The file type in the Finder window on the iMac
says Postscript Type 1 outline font for the files. However, when I
double click on the font's icon to install it, FontBook opens, but to
an empty window where I would expect the font to show up.

I have never relied on Font Book - here is what I do:

Usually both, the screen font and the outline files of the type face you
want to copy, are residing in an enclosing folder identified by the type
face's name.

Just drag & drop that folder onto either Users/yourname/Library/Fonts or
Macintosh HD/Library/Fonts. That will activate them instantly.

[Tacit]

Post by Jerry Cederquist
Hello. I have a couple dozen Postscript type 1 fonts on my OS9
Wallstreet Powerbook that I would like to use on my new OS X iMac
machine without having to repurchase them.

You do not have to re-purchase them. PostScript Type 1 fonts work in OS X just
fine. No modification necessary.

Post by Jerry Cederquist
The file type in the Finder window on the iMac
says Postscript Type 1 outline font for the files. However, when I
double click on the font's icon to install it, FontBook opens, but to
an empty window where I would expect the font to show up.

Yes, that is correct.

You can not double-click on a PostScript outline font. It doesn't work that
way.

PostScript fonts have twwo parts: the outline fonts and the bitmap (suitcase)
font. You must have both parts for the font to work. Once you copy over both
parts, you use the font by double-clicking on the bitmap file, not the outline
file. The outline and bitmap files must both be in the same folder.

Post by Jerry Cederquist
I seem to remember discussions several years ago that had to do with the
font-outline data being in the resource fork in OS 9 and in the data
fork in OS X.

Only for TrueType, not PostScript.

OS 9 can use PostScript and resource-fork TrueType fonts, and a patch is
available for ATM that lets it use OpenType fonts. OS X can use PostScript,
resource-fork TrueType, data-fork TrueType (.dfont), and OpenType (.OTF) fonts.

[Charles Dyer]

Post by Jerry Cederquist
Hello. I have a couple dozen Postscript type 1 fonts on my OS9
Wallstreet Powerbook that I would like to use on my new OS X iMac
machine without having to repurchase them.

1 copy them into the Fonts folder in the Library folder at the root level of
your machine, (if you want them available to all users) or the Fonts folder
in the Library folder in your home directory. (if you want them to be
available to only one user.)

Post by Jerry Cederquist
When I transfer the font files over to the iMac using File Sharing, they
seem to come over fine, The file type in the Finder window on the iMac
says Postscript Type 1 outline font for the files. However, when I
double click on the font's icon to install it, FontBook opens, but to
an empty window where I would expect the font to show up. I've tried
using the add-a-font menu command in FontBook, but that also fails in
the same way.

Don't do that. Just put them in the Font folder.

Post by Jerry Cederquist
I seem to remember discussions several years ago that had to do with the
font-outline data being in the resource fork in OS 9 and in the data
fork in OS X. Is that what's going on here? Is there a converter program
(preferably that runs on OS X) that will fix up the format of the font
file so that OS X understands it.

You don't have to convert anything. OS X understands:

TrueType (Mac OS 9, Mac OS X, & Windows)
PostScript Type 1 (Mac & Windows)
OpenType (only one version...)

OS X _doesn't_ understand plain bitmaps.

Post by Jerry Cederquist
TIA for any help you can give,
Jerry Cederquist