[AD] Variable fonts aren't being recognized correctly when the file is opened on another computer

[Puchacamilo]

Affinity Designer Latest release Version 2.5.3

Mac Mini M1 OSX Ventura 13.6.9

When my files are open on another computer (iMac - Big Sur 11.7.10 & MacBook Air M1 - 13.6.7) with the same variable font and same last updated Affinity Designer version, it doesn't recognize them correctly, so I have to reselect them.

It appears something like: "?Name_of_the_Font"

Now I understand working with a static font version fixes the problem, in case other people have the same problem.

This happens to new or old documents.

[walt.farrell]

Are you working with .afdesign files or PDF files?

[Puchacamilo]

8 minutes ago, walt.farrell said:

Are you working with .afdesign files or PDF files?

.afdesign files

[Hangman]

Hi @Puchacamilo,

Possibly a silly question but does the other Mac have both the Static and Variable versions of Plus Jakarta Sans installed? If not could you upload a sample Affinity Designer file where you're seeing the problem so we can try and track down the cause...

[Puchacamilo]

7 hours ago, Hangman said:

Hi @Puchacamilo,

Possibly a silly question but does the other Mac have both the Static and Variable versions of Plus Jakarta Sans installed? If not could you upload a sample Affinity Designer file where you're seeing the problem so we can try and track down the cause...

Now both we have deleted the variable versions, and installed only the Static version and we don't have problems!. The problem was when at least one had installed the variable font.
I have an old file with the problem, here is it.

Example VA problem.afdesign

[Hangman]

1 hour ago, Puchacamilo said:

Now both we have deleted the variable versions, and installed only the Static version and we don't have problems!. The problem was when at least one had installed the variable font.
I have an old file with the problem, here is it.

You would need to ensure both machines either had the static or both machines had the variable font installed... If one machine has the static and the other has the variable version of the same font installed then you will see the ? before the font name...

I've just opened your file with the relevant static and variable versions installed and everything looks correct but if I install static versions in place of variable versions and vice versa then the fonts are not recognised...

e.g., If I install the variable version of Space Grotesk then I will see the question mark because the static version has been used in the artwork...

[Puchacamilo]

9 hours ago, Hangman said:

You would need to ensure both machines either had the static or both machines had the variable font installed... If one machine has the static and the other has the variable version of the same font installed then you will see the ? before the font name...

I've just opened your file with the relevant static and variable versions installed and everything looks correct but if I install static versions in place of variable versions and vice versa then the fonts are not recognised...

e.g., If I install the variable version of Space Grotesk then I will see the question mark because the static version has been used in the artwork...

Alright, so you recommend installing both the static and variable versions so I can see all of them without problem?, or should we keep using only one type: static or variable for both computers?

[Hangman]

20 minutes ago, Puchacamilo said:

Alright, so you recommend installing both the static and variable versions so I can see all of them without problem?, or should we keep using only one type: static or variable for both computers?

No, just one or the other on both Macs, so either static only on both Macs or variable only on both Macs making sure that if using static on both Macs you've fully Removed the variable version and vice versa via Fontbook if that's what you're using, i.e., select All Fonts then right-click the version you're not using and select Remove...