For Rod_D_How do you make the PHF Photofonts ?

This comes from this other thread

http://filterforge.com/forum/read.php?FID=10&TID=9488

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Rod_D wrote: I can create some PHF fonts with these! I create PHF fonts for a plugin for Photo Shop "PhotoFont Start" (which i use in Gimp). Otherwise known as "Photo Fonts". These are also a image font type. http://www.gimpchat.com/viewtopic.php...photofonts So if you want a particular font (PHF) created fr om images just tell me wh ere to get the images and i will create them for you. The photofont file format specification is publicly available. It is based on open standards such as XML and PNG.

Please Rod_D, how do you make the PHF Photofonts ?

Do you use the Bitfonter software ?

In this page that tells you HOW to make your own Photofonts put that the only way is this one

http://www.photofont.com/photofont/make/

I have tried it but I do not know how to do it

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Rod_D Wrote.. CoffeeCups old Photo Objects program which comes with PhotoFont maker(which is no longer supported by CoffeCup software comp.).

I don't even like that company as of 2005 so I never mention them to anyone
Reasons I can't mention here in a public form.....

I will download the 30 days trial of Bitfonter and see how it works and how can this photofonts bemade.

At least I can have these 30 days to do something, as I will not buy it at that price.

Please Rod_D, any advice when creating the PHF files for the Photofonts ?

How much time do you take to make a Photofont ?

How do you prepare the images for making the Photofonts ?

Thanks very much

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Rod_D wrote: They are very easy to make in Bitfonter.

Good news

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Rod_D wrote: One thing you should know is the Trial version will deform or distort half your font glyphs.

VERY BAD NEWS

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Rod_D wrote: Here is kind of an image example rundown on how to do it.

Thanks very much for making this tutorial and for helping us learn to create this PHF Photofonts.

WOW, this is very interesting and useful, and very good BUT only for the ones THAT KNOWS HOW TO USE IT
as I am sorry but I am not a programmer and do not know how to use this script, so I can´t use it.

Dude, look what it says just above my avatar What are you giving me codes for?
I hope this code-guru, python-wrangler, path-fu-fighter GIMP guy can make that happen

How does one even use or run a LISP script?!

Yeah I found that result on google too, but since I'm on Win7 and not unix, I didni't read the aricle itself

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photofont

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Photofonts can be created without specialized font design software because they are simply collections of PNG graphics defined and organized by an XML file. Details of the XML structure are available at www.photofont.com.

can be created without specialized font design software ????

This is NOT TRUE at all, how could they say that is NOT needed any specialized font design software when YOU NEED to buy the very expensive Bitfonter software to be able to CREATE Photofonts !!!
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Also have found this interesting article about Photofonts

http://creativetuts.com/photoshop/pho...ofont.html

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If you need to work with your own fonts, you have to use BitFonter which is an another software from the same company. ( Famous Fontlab Ltd. )

Actually Coffee Cups older software Photo Objects does create PHF files it's just that it will only apply a texture within outlines of a font you have installed on your system.So creating fonts like the grassy vine font i showed you wouldn't be possible with Photo Objects.You would always have a outline and not a true realistic looking fonts like the nuts and bolts font you showed us.

I have seen the Hemera Software and I had it before years ago, but did not use because I do not like it. The Fonts made are very plain and ONLY with textures inside the font and that is all, not good for me.

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SpaceRay wrote: can be created without specialized font design software ????

In theory, yes. Let me explain:
The PHF font is basically a bundle of PNG images and an XML document that tells the program using the PHF which image goes where on the alphabet chart, what's it size, relative position and default kerning.
If you know what you are doing, you can create that XML document using Notepad.

It is, however, like creating an FF filter using nothing more than Notepad. All you need is to make an XML document and type in what nodes are in the filter, how they are connected, what are the settings for each components, how they are ararnged on the editor window, the settings for your presets, the author name, details and keywords.

So as you can see, it IS in THEORY possible. But extremely unlikely.
A more likely scenario would be that a person who wants to create PHF fonts find a way to automate the creation of the XML file needed, with all the relevant information. Let's say that if you understand the PHF file specification (freely available for anyone who wants and cares), and the script Rob showed us, you can probably create a simple program of your own that does that.

The only reason why BitFonter is $499, is because it offers MUCH MUCH MUCH more than just creating the PHF fonts. As you know, the "start" plugin is FREE, because it just READS PHF files. If FontLab LTD. decides to release a PHF creation tool that does JUST that, it would be way cheaper. Or free. Nah, it won't be free

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SpaceRay wrote: can be created without specialized font design software ????

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Morgantao wrote: In theory, yes. Let me explain: The PHF font is basically a bundle of PNG images and an XML document that tells the program using the PHF which image goes where on the alphabet chart, what's it size, relative position and default kerning. If you know what you are doing, you can create that XML document using Notepad. It is, however, like creating an FF filter using nothing more than Notepad. All you need is to make an XML document and type in what nodes are in the filter, how they are connected, what are the settings for each components, how they are arranged on the editor window, the settings for your presets, the author name, details and keywords.

YES, I agree IN THEORY this could be possible for an expert and professional person with very good knowledge of XML and knowing well how to do it. BUT I doubt that even this person would choose to do it this way, as it would take much more time to make it, but again I agree this COULD be possible.

BUT in the same way, you would not need to pay for a complete and finished washing machine, you could go probably to the factory and ask that they give you all the parts of the machine and you would build it yourself. Would be possible ? Yes, but would this be a good idea to do, NO.

ALSO nobody would never think to make a FF filter using notepad although it could be possible to make it.

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Morgantao wrote: The only reason why BitFonter is $499, is because it offers MUCH MUCH MUCH more than just creating the PHF fonts.

Of course, the high price is because as you say very well, it offers MUCH MUCH MUCH more and have lots of possible uses and the Photofonts as just ONE of the MANY possible uses of Bitfonter.

This is why I have sent to Fontlab asking for a Bitfonter Lite version that would be ONLY for making Photofonts. And as you can see in the post above this, the answer from the president of Fontlab is that they are going in the opposite direction BUT will be making an online version that you will be able to "rent" much cheaper (se the post above of this)

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Morgantao wrote: As you know, the "start" plugin is FREE, because it just READS PHF files.

Of course that it is free, because as you say this ONLY READS the Photofont files so you can use them in other software, so this is interesting for Fontlab, and very few would use the Photofonts if they can´t use them in their own software.

This is like the Adobe acrobat full software and the Acrobat Reader that is free which ONLY read the PDF files.

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Morgantao wrote: If FontLab LTD. decides to release a PHF creation tool that does JUST that, it would be way cheaper. Or free. Nah, it won't be free

I think that the answer is NO to both, as you can see in the post above of this, they are NOT going to make a PHF creation tool they are going in the opossite way and want to make a even bigger software BUT there will be a way to have it much cheaper by "renting" it.

Great news Rod!

Take your time to figure out how everything works.

Just the test file has those names to make it easier for me.
I ran into a glitch it seems.

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<glyph id="a">    <image id="v0" type="photo">    <shape bitmap_placement=". ./grassy/a.png">      <ppm int="480" />      <bbox x="20" y="-5" width="404" height="403" />      <base x="-20" y="398" />      <delta x="444" y="0" />     </shape>    </image>   </glyph>

Should have worked, but won't even install.it doesn't even recognize it as a font now.Ahh well i will keep working at it.I hope someone over at Gimp Chat can throw me some hints i am stuck here.

Still working on it, and have made a small bit of headway.I have found that all PHF files are installed into a different userfolder than the 8bf location.
They install into - My Documents>Photofonts
I have tried the PHF code with the images in that folder to see if i can get it to work.They install but still no image recognition.
I am missing something in the XML. I will keep working on it, and keep you updated of my progress.Eventually i will get it to work.

Thanks for your support SpaceRay.

Problem Report Sent!


Thank you!

Your problem report has been sent to the FontLab support department. We will contact you soon with a response.

If you don't receive a response, please contact techsupport@fontlab.com,julia@fontlab.com.

Hopefully they can point me in the right direction.

I've a feeling you are probably correct.
That's okay if this doesn't pan out i will look further into LISP.

Way to go Rod!

Thanks very much for all the work you are doing. This could become a very important thing, because there are LOTS of PSD and PNG´s Fonts available but the biggest problem for them is that they can´t be typed using the keyboard and must be loaded as graphics one by one.

Your tool could be a revolution to this for many people that can´t spend 500$ on the Bitfonter software and wants to make they own Photofonts or convert already available PSD and PNG´s Fonts to Photofonts.

Sorry that I do not understand why you have problems to make the size bigger than 500x500 limit. I think that if you can make it to reach 1000x1000 or 1500x1500 would be enough for most things.

I think that perhaps the 500x500 limit is because you are using a template based way to make the graphic conversion to a Photofont, is this true or am I wrong ?

Will this software utility you are making a standalone or will be a plugin for Gimp ?

So if I understand correctly, you will have a static folder with a PHF file in it, and if you want to use a rocks glyph, you put the rock PNGs in the folder, and if you want grass glyphs you put the grass PNGs instead?
That sounds simple enough. That way the user can create folders with glyphs, name the folder after the glyphs, and copy folder content to the Photofonts folder to make the font
Great work!

By the way doing it this way the font in the list will always be named "Non_Embedded_PHF"

No matter which set of glyphs you use.