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FontForge
FontForge
4.3
0.0
FontForge free download for Mac

FontForge

X11-based, Open-Source font editor.

4.3
Based on 3 user ratesRead reviews & comments
Free
Absolutely Free

FontForge overview

FontForge allows you to create and edit fonts in many formats: OpenType, TrueType, AAT, PostScript, Multiple Master, CID-Keyed, SVG, and various bitmap formats. It isn't a regular Mac application. It has been in development since 2001 as a UNIX application, so don’t expect it to look and behave like a normal Mac application. It runs on Macs thanks to a UNIX-compatibility layer called X11.

What’s new in version 20201107

Updated on Nov 09 2020

Version 20201107:
  • This release falls on the 20th anniversary of the first release of FontForge back in 2000. It brings a wide range of minor tweaks and bug fixes for the user interface and file format handlers and a special splash screen to commemorate the big day.
View older FontForge updates

Information

License

Free

Size

35.6 MB

Downloads

15800

App requirements

  • Intel 64
  • Intel 32
  • OS X 10.10 or later
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0.0
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Derekcurrie
Derekcurrie
Sep 21 2018
20161003
4.0
Sep 21 2018
4.0
Version: 20161003
v20170730 is the current version of FontForge. You can download it directly here: https://github.com/fontforge/fontforge/releases/download/20170731/FontForge-20170730-Mac.dmg
Big-Mac-XXL
Big-Mac-XXL
Jan 8 2015
20130718
0.0
Jan 8 2015
0.0
Version: 20130718
Save some nickels and get a real font program. This is none. The GUI is simply terrible. I don't mean the menus etc. THIS crudeness is expected of Unix software. But the implementation of the Mac file system is terrible. To open and save fonts it takes ages to crawl thru the FF file browser. So bad. FF also crashes regularly (I use the newest version, not the MacUpdate old timer). FF gives lots of strange errors if you only want to fix a glyph in a font and refuses to save the file. And FF is so sloooooow. FontForge is really only for the desperate without a dime and with loooots of free time. I use Fontographer, FontLab and Glyphs since there is not a single one good font maker out there. All have shortcomings, all crash. Why is making a font generator rocket science? It's only vector graphics! Still I seek for the best font making program to rule them all. No crashes, easy to use for quick jobs, but very powerful for the expert. And faaaaast!
Big-Mac-XXL
Big-Mac-XXL
Jan 8 2015
20130718
0.0
Jan 8 2015
0.0
Version: 20130718
Save some nickels and get a real font program. This is none. The GUI is simply terrible. I don't mean the menus etc. THIS crudeness is expected of Unix software. But the implementation of the Mac file system is terrible. To open and save fonts it takes ages to crawl thru the FF file browser. So bad. FF also crashes regularly (I use the newest version, not the MacUpdate old timer). FF gives lots of strange errors if you only want to fix a glyph in a font and refuses to save the file. And FF is so sloooooow. FontForge is really only for the desperate without a dime and with loooots of free time. I use Fontographer, FontLab and Glyphs since there is not a single one good font maker out there. All have shortcomings, all crash. Why is making a font generator rocket science? It's only vector graphics! Still I seek for the best font making program to rule them all. No crashes, easy to use for quick jobs, but very powerful for the expert. And faaaaast!
Derekcurrie
Derekcurrie
Aug 18 2014
20130718
4.0
Aug 18 2014
4.0
Version: 20130718
FontForge is an ongoing project that is frequently being updated. At the moment (on 2014-08-18) the current beta is 201408/18_0425, meaning that this beta came out today. Obviously, this is well beyond the version listed here at MU. If you'd like the most current beta, use the developer's downloads page. The most recent version is at the bottom of the list: http://fuuko.libferris.com/osx/packages/ Be sure to read the developer's page for important instructions about installing and using FontForge. For example: Because this is an X11 UNIX application, it must be kept in the root Applications folder. It won't work from elsewhere.
anonymous-swan-2390
anonymous-swan-2390
Jun 24 2014
20130718
0.0
Jun 24 2014
0.0
Version: 20130718
The latest version from 2014-04-11 is available via the developers site link above. MacUpdate seems to have missed that.
Jerry-Krinock
Jerry-Krinock
Sep 25 2013
20130718
4.5
Sep 25 2013
4.5
Version: 20130718
Agree with everything said by Cattus. A few years ago I bought SigMaker from FontLab for 30 USD, but the current version on the FontLab website is still a PowerPC app which no longer runs on modern Macs. Apparently FontLab has decided to let it die, and my very occasional need for a font editor does not justify the price of a commercial font editor. For occasional use, FontForge is a good replacement for SigMaker, and I thank the developers. I needed to tweak one glyph in one font. When you launch FontForge, Mac OS X will probably tell you that you need to install XQuartz or X11. Follow the link given by Apple and do it. Then, FontForge will run. It's weird. X11 apps are like Windows apps. They do not use the main menu bar, so you need to use the menus and buttons in the window. Remember it's free, so don't complain! Just roll with it. I was able to figure out how to do what I wanted and get it done in about 30 minutes. The technology of fonts is deep and wide, and if I had any idea what the hell I was doing, it would have been much faster :)) FontForge does have a Help menu which can help you out.
Cattus-Thraex
Cattus-Thraex
Jul 20 2013
20130718
4.5
Jul 20 2013
4.5
Version: 20130718
Despite its ugly inbterface, as usual with most Linux apps (have never understood why), it is a wonderful tool for creating or modifying fonts, if this is allowed (sometimes it is). As a free app, beyond any criticism, use it.
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