FontCreator

Overview

FontCreator is an intuitive and advanced font editor aimed at both beginners and experienced type designers. Its interface is relatively straightforward compared to certain high-end tools, yet it still offers many advanced features needed for professional font production.

Key Features

• Visual Editing: An approachable, GUI-driven workflow lets you design glyphs visually—helpful for users who don’t want to dive into command-line tools or more code-oriented workflows.
• Drawing & Glyph Management: Directly edit existing glyphs or create new ones from scratch. The program supports both TrueType and OpenType outlines. Offers a variety of vector drawing tools (e.g., pen, freehand) to fine-tune curves and shapes.
• Import & Export Options: Import vector images (e.g., SVG, EPS) or scanned bitmaps to convert them into glyph outlines. Export fonts in TrueType, OpenType (TT or CFF outlines), and Web Font formats.
• OpenType Layout Features: Support for the full range of OpenType layout features (ligatures, alternates, small caps, etc.). Lets you define, preview, and debug OpenType features to ensure correct behavior in compatible apps.
• Variable Fonts: Comes with advanced tools to make variable fonts.
• AutoMetrics & Kerning Assistance: Tools to auto-generate or refine spacing and kerning pairs, saving time on manual adjustments.
• Validation & Testing: Built-in validation features to catch contour or outline errors. Integrated font test window for verifying that glyphs and metrics display correctly.
• Scripting & Batch Operations: The Professional edition offers more advanced options for automating repetitive tasks (like batch glyph naming or generating composites).

Strengths

• Beginner-Friendly: Its interface is more intuitive for those new to font design.
• Feature-Rich for the Price: Offers many advanced features without the steeper price tag of the other professional tools.
• Preserves OpenType features: FontCreator uniquely stands out as the only font editor capable of modifying any existing font—no matter how sophisticated—while preserving all its OpenType layout feature data.

Drawbacks

• Less Industry Adoption: Compared to FontLab or Glyphs, FontCreator is less prominent in collaborative or larger foundry environments—though it’s perfectly capable for individual designers.
• UI & Workflow: Some advanced type designers might prefer tools with deeper scripting (like RoboFont’s Python-based environment).

Who Should Use FontCreator?

• Hobbyists & Indie Designers: If you’re looking to make or modify fonts without a steep learning curve (or price), it’s a solid choice.
• Small Studios / Freelancers: FontCreator offers enough advanced features to handle commercial font production, from standard TrueType to advanced OpenType features and even variable fonts.
• Educational Settings: The approachable interface also makes it a good candidate for classrooms or workshops introducing font design.

Overall Verdict

FontCreator is a well-rounded font editor with a good balance of power and ease of use. It might not have all the bells and whistles of ultra-high-end editors, but it covers a large portion of what most designers will ever need. Its relatively affordable pricing, free trial, and user-friendly interface make it an attractive option for both beginners and experienced type enthusiasts.