Win/Mac font compatibility

I posted this at the bottom of a thread I started a while back about font substitution, but I guess it was too far

down the heap to be noticeable. So here it is again.



I had problems with two fonts being substituted in a packaged file sent to a Mac user. I have realised that while most

of the fonts used in the document are OpenType, the two that were substituted were Type 1s. So I have bought OpenType

versions which I am hoping the Mac will be able to use and so not cause the substitution problem.



But if I am right about the cause of the problem and my solution, I can't square that with my use of Dingbats in the

file, my Dingbats being a Type 1 but no substition having taken place on the Mac.



Is it possible that when the file was opened on the Mac there was some sort of automatic substitution for a Mac version

of Dingbats?



k
Win/Mac font compatibility
It means they had the same exact font in Mac format on that

machine...or, they installed the Windows version somewhere along the

line in the Adobe fonts folder.



Bob
Win/Mac font compatibility
Thanks Bob. I'm trying to check anyway because to leave it to chance seems a little precarious.



k

And of course you're buying two licenses for those OpenType fonts, one for you and one for your friends with the Mac. ;)

Of course.



k

I have run tests that further complicate the issue.



I packaged a file and got the Mac user to make a PDF.



The original Type 1 Helvetica Bold, that had been substituted when a file using it was opened before, is now rendering

correctly. The new OpenType Helvetica Bold is being replaced.



When I look at the properties of the PDF, what I am assuming is the OpenType Helvetica shows as a TrueType font, while

other OpenType fonts specifically MyriadPro are described as Type 1.



Two versions of Garamond were included a Type 1 and an OpenType to check compatibility and as expected the Type 1

version was substituted while the OpenType version rendered correctly. But in the fonts list for the PDF, only one

Garamond is listed, described as a Type 1.



I made the test file on CS3, but I see the Mac user has made the PDF on CS4.





Any clues?



k

OpenType fonts can have either TrueType or Type-1-like outlines. When embedded in PDF they are usually indistinguishable from regular TrueType or Type 1 fonts.



More technically, Type 1 fonts are stored in PDF using the Compact Font Format or ''CFF'' with Type 2 charstrings, as a form of lossless compression. This is exactly how Type 1 outlines are handled in OpenType CFF fonts in the first place, and how OpenType CFF fonts are handled in PDF.... Which is why PDF usually can't tell the difference.



Cheers,



T

Thanks Thomas.



k