What after exporting instances?

Igor Petrovic

If one has completely designed multiple masters font, with defined instances and prepared for the export (checked for nodes at extremes, curve direction, spacing, kerning, OT features, and all that is to be done in the main project), what else is left to be done after exporting instances and before publishing it.

For now, I only see removing contour overlaps Is that basically all?

Thanks

Erwin Denissen

It depends on what route you take to export your instances. FontCreator allows you to export your instances and optionally removes overlap on the fly.

It is always wise to double-check your exported fonts to see if they work as intended.

James Puckett

Generate the fonts with overlaps removed (Glyphs, FontLab, and Font Creator can do this so you can preserve overlaps in your masters). Then do the following:
• Open every font in your font editor and inspect every glyph for problems. 
• Print every font in your kerning proof and look for problems.
• Test to be sure that the fonts install correctly on Mac and Windows.
• Test to be sure that the fonts work in Adobe apps and MS Office.

Igor Petrovic

Thanks @James Puckett.

How long does this part take for you usually? For a font of ~400 glyphs and the usual set of instances (9 IIRC). I know it varies but is it in terms of hours or days

Also, I have no reliable personal kern proof. Because I didn't study occurrences of various combinations in various languages. I found this one on PangramPangram foundry site:

https://pangrampangram.com/blogs/journal/kern-king-is-dead-long-live-kern-king-br-the-great-template-for-kerning-types

And this one on Typefacts:

https://typefacts.com/en/articles/kerning-test

Do you think these could work? I have a relatively small set covering basic Latin and I thought it's easier to kern "all vs all" letters (or classes), then numbers vs numbers, some most important punctuation, etc. than to devise detailed and reliable kern proof. I am also considering outsourcing kerning part, still haven't made decision.

James Puckett

Try the Indesign file I use to proof kerning, it’s in my Github repository of proofing documents. It’s thorough. 

Igor Petrovic

Thanks!

Simon Cozens

Run it through fontbakery.

James Puckett

Also, be sure to review your masters and exported fonts with the Show Red Arrows plugin (works in Glyphs and Robofont). 

James Puckett

Also, I have a revised and bigger kern proof that I can email you. Just send me your email address in a private message.