Jump to content
You must now use your email address to sign in [click for more info] ×

How do I access alternate characters in an Opentype font?


Recommended Posts

How do I access the extended character set in some of the newer Opentype fonts that have alternate swash caps, etc.? Illustrator has a glyphs panel, which I don't think AD has yet, but is there another way to do this, eg. keyboard shortcut or another utility?

 

Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our OpenType features are accessed via Show Typography, in the Format or Text menu (depending which version of the program you are using). We don't have a proper Access All Alternates yet, but swatches, stylistic sets and I think pretty much everything else is in there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmm, I have the typography panel in the latest beta. It doesn't seem to show anything called swashes.  

 

I particularly need to access alternate characters, even if it means copying and pasting them for now. I assume that the plan is to have some way to access them in AD in the fullness of time. I just wondered if there was a way to do it now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the video! Helpful to at least know what I was expecting. I was using Zapfino, because I know it has a load of alternates, but obviously it's not set up properly, because none of the opentype features show. Switched to Bickham Pro, and can see how many of the opentype features work for that, ( and very nicely, too). Still can't access some of the variations for that font though. I guess in the end a glyphs panel would be pretty helpful...

 

Thanks for the help!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Staff

I see what you mean with Zapfino but note that this also depends on how those features were implemented in the font itself. Illustrator cannot access the Zapfino's alternates other than through the glyphs panel too. Their regular Character panel only gives us access to the same features displayed by Affinity Designer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think Zapfino's not built correctly--maybe it's not even opentype. I guess I'll have to wait patiently for you guys to implement a glyphs panel, and copy and paste from Font Book in the meantime. Since starting to work with Affinity Designer, I have removed Illustrator from my system  :) .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Guidelines | We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.