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Tell me more about NeXTstep fonts

Outline files should be in PFA or hexadecimal ASCII format. The font name should be taken either from the outline (font) file or the AFM file. In both case the name is given after the word ``FontName'' at the beginning of the file)

As a matter of fact, fonts don't strictly HAVE to be in all hexadecimal ASCII format. The eexec portion of the font can be in binary if you wish, and in fact some Mac->NeXTstep or PFB->NeXTstep font converters simply strip off the Mac/PFB storage format headers and leave the binary sections as binary.

However, if you wish to send such a font across a serial channel to a PostScript printer, you will need some way to unpack the binary eexec portion to seven-bit ASCII before sending the font.

Where to Obtain Fonts for NeXTstep

Adobe Type 1 fonts are available in NeXTstep format from RightBrain Software of Palo Alto. RightBrain are the authorised Adobe reseller for Type 1 fonts on NeXTstep. Adobe fonts for NeXTstep come with AFM files and a font installer for installing on NeXTstep and downloading to non-NEXT printers.

RightBrain Software
132 Hmilton Avenue
Palo Alto
California 94301
(415) 326-2974.
info@rightbrain.com

Other vendors in general do not provide Type 1 fonts in a form suitable for UNIX/NeXTstep. In such cases you must obtain the fonts in either Macintosh format or PC (PFB) format. When you obtain fonts from other vendors, MAKE SURE you INSIST they supply AFM files. Fonts without AFM files can be converted to NeXTstep format, but it can be a big deal. Trilithon Software currently supply utilities to generate AFM files directly from the font, but you get only the character metrics -- other data such as kerning pairs is not in the font and cannot be synthesised.

Converted Fonts After Conversion

After conversion they are just like any other freeware or shareware font that you can get in NeXTstep-format from the archives. That's just outline and AFM files but no bitmapped screen fonts. So small point size means poor resolution on screen but they most of should print OK if they are any good ( = usually made with Fontographer).

About Conversion Utilities

NeXTstep utilities

Basic unarchiving of Mac and PC files.

On your Unix machine:

xbin
Converts .hqx to:
.data
Rename and transfer to PC (or use opener.app on NeXT?)
.info
Discard
.rsrc
Discard

  • unzip Converts .zip to:
    .inf
    Discard
    .wfn
    Discard
    .pfm
    Discard (unless it can generate a better AFM file)
    everything else
    Transfer to NeXT
  • On a PC:

    xbin
    Converts .hqx to:
    .data
    Rename and transfer to PC (or use opener.app on NeXT?)
    .info
    Discard
    .rsrc
    Discard

  • extract -f ... Converts .cpt to:
    file with no extension
    This is usually the outline font. Refont and transfer to NeXT.
    .afm
    Transfer to NeXT.
    .pfm
    Discard (unless it can generate a better AFM file)
    .bma
    Discard if you have an AFM file.

  • unsit30 -eb ... Converts .sit to:
    file with no extension
    This is usually the outline font. Refont and transfer to NeXT.
    .afm
    Transfer to NeXT.
    .pfm
    Discard (unless it can generate a better AFM file)
    .bma
    Discard if you have an AFM file.

  • refont Converts outline formats from Mac to NeXT format (PFA).

  • pkunzip Converts .zip to:
    .inf
    Discard
    .wfn
    Discard
    .pfm
    Discard (unless it can generate a better AFM file)
    everything else
    Transfer to NeXT
  • On a NeXT

    Opener.app
    Converts archive formats (.sit, .hqx, .zip) to NeXT format.
    unfont
    Converts PFB files to NeXT format.
    afm
    Converts AFM files to NeXT format AFM files (CR/LF hackery)

    Installation

    There are scripts (installfont) available that can handle the installation process but here is how you do it manually.