Still cannot reliably get kerning :(

[cmuratori]

Hi there,

So, we are still having problems with the latest build (047) and saving simple pairwise kerning.  We've tried checking Kerning, we've tried checking OpenType and then checking Kerning in there, we've tried checking both, we've tried converting to TTF curves and saving as a TTF, but we can't seem to get just basic pairwise kerning to export to Windows   We are not doing anything fancy - there aren't even very many kerning pairs.  But they all seem to be ignored by Windows.

We _do_ think that the kerning is getting exported, however, in a format that perhaps only more advanced typography systems support.  For example, if you look at the font directly in a browser, the kerning appears to be present.

So I think the question we have here is, is there some way to save a font with Type 3.2 that will save out traditional, simple Windows-acceptable kerning, like the fonts that come with Windows, so that we can use it in Windows programs that do not have special OpenType support?

Thanks,
- Casey

[Allan Murray]

Please use this check: If you open a font in Type 3.2 and you can view the kerning pairs in the kerning window, then it means the font does contain standard kerning. If you open a font in Type 3.2 and the kerning window says no kerning pairs, then the font does not contain standard kerning.

To clarify: Standard kerning is the default output method (when kerning pairs are present in the kerning window and kerning is checked in font options). OpenType kerning can also be output from Type 3.2, but is not editable when opening a font. When you open a font in Type 3.2, you can edit the standard kerning table, which will be the same as the OpenType kerning (if present). I recommend that you output both kerning types for maximum kerning support - but most applications are moving toward OpenType kerning these days.

How are you checking if the standard kerning works? Note that not all programs support standard kerning (kern table), or it may have to be activated in the program. Also standard kerning is only officially supported with .ttf fonts (not .otf). docs.microsoft.com/en-us/typography/opentype/spec/kern :

There is currently no system level support for [standard] kerning [ie it is application dependant]. OpenType™ fonts containing CFF outlines [.otf] are not supported by the 'kern' table and must use the 'GPOS' OpenType Layout table. [OpenType kerning]

Please send me one of your fonts that is supposed to contain kerning, but does not work, and I will be able to tell you exactly what it contains. ( [e-mail] ) (if you do, please send it as .ttf and as .gfs).