Fonts for InDesign and InCopy Workflow (PostScript & OpenType)

Hi!

Can someone shed some light on this for me:

Designers are using InDesign CS2 and Postscript Type 1 fonts (Serifa and Frutiger) on the Mac for layout.

Writers will be using InCopy CS3 for editing on Windows. I was told they need to have the same fonts installed in order to copy fit correctly when we exchange files in the workflow.

I need to buy the PC version to the fonts and I'm confused about whether or not I have to get them postscript versions or if I can buy them the OpenType versions. OpenType seems to be priced cheaper.

Can someone help me? I have to make the decisions/purchases today.

thanks!
Dan

Also what is adding to the confusion for me: Font file names from Adobe are called one thing (ex: Frutiger Std Roman) while the fonts on my Mac are something else (Frutiger 55 Roman). My concern is that if I buy the OpenType version (Frutiger Std Roman), it will force me to reapply all my fonts in the collateral I've created.

What will happen if the writers use OpenType and I stay with the postscript versions on my Mac? When we exchange an InCopy assignment file will I be forced to re-apply the typefaces?

> What will happen if the writers use OpenType and I stay with the postscript versions on my Mac?

Unless you are using the same fonts on each platform (ie, the same font format - PS, TT, or OT - and from the same foundry), you will get missing font messages and you will have to redefine the styles. As well, if you're using PS fonts on one platform and OT on the other, you may see some text reflow as the metrics may not be the same.

I understand you can use Windows fonts (PS, TT) on the Mac by placing them in the Adobe fonts folder (or possibly the Mac can read them anyway - I'm not sure), but you can't use Mac fonts on Windows. I would buy the OT fonts and make sure everyone is using them.

Bad workflow, IMO.

Any crossplatform collaboration should be done using opentype
exclusively. The cost for the fonts will be more than offset by the
increase in efficiency.

For the record, OSX can natively use Windows TT fonts. For Type 1 you'll
need to place them in the private Adobe fonts folder.

Bob

For Type 1 you'll need to place them in the private Adobe fonts folder.




Assuming you're using an Adobe application, of course.

Neil

Well it was an InDesign/InCopy question, but yes, only the Adobe apps
will be able to access them.

Bob

Thanks for the information! A huge help in clarifying this issue.

I suspected that using the same fonts was key but was in a bit of denial because the designers have already developed collateral using the PostScript fonts installed on their Macs.

To switch to OpenType versions of the fonts (which will have different font names than what we've been using) will mean having to "remap" the current postscript fonts to the new OpenType fonts and then address possible word flow changes in all the collateral developed to-date. Would this be a correct assumption?

For example: the PostScript of Frutiger is "Frutiger 55 Roman" while the OpenType version is "Frutiger Std Roman".

If this is true, then I will have to "sell" this hard to my group and my manager but I think it will be a worthy cause to set this right now rather than later.

Dan

Short term pain...long term gain.

Bob