Font Creation with FontLab for Baravu

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for creating a custom font using FontLab. By following these steps, you'll learn the essentials of font design, including setting up your project, drawing glyphs, adjusting kerning, and exporting your font.

Table of Contents

• Prerequisites
• Setting Up the Project
• Creating Glyphs
• Kerning and Spacing
• Exporting the Font
• Tips and Best Practices
• Resources

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Prerequisites

1. FontLab: Download and install FontLab.
2. Font Idea: Have a concept or inspiration for your font style.
3. Basic Typography Knowledge: Understanding of font design and typography terminology is helpful.

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Setting Up the Project

1. Open FontLab and create a new project:
   • Go to File > New Font.
   • Set up your project with a name and metadata for your font.
2. Set Font Metrics:
   • Define Ascender, Descender, and Cap Height values to establish the height limits of your font.
   • Adjust other metrics like x-height and baseline according to your design style.
3. Save the Project:
   • Save your file frequently using File > Save As to avoid losing progress.

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Creating Glyphs

1. Add Glyphs:
   • Go to Window > Glyphs to view all characters.
   • Use + (Add Glyph) to add characters you want in your font.
2. Draw Each Glyph:
   • Use the Pen Tool or Brush Tool to draw each character shape.
   • For curves and complex shapes, use Bézier curve editing.
3. Refine Glyph Shapes:
   • Zoom in on each glyph to refine shapes, ensuring consistency across similar characters (e.g., 'o', 'c', 'e').

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Kerning and Spacing

1. Set Side Bearings:
   • Select each glyph and set left and right side bearings to ensure even spacing.
   • Use Tools > Metrics to adjust these values as needed.
2. Adjust Kerning Pairs:
   • Go to Kerning Panel and manually adjust pairs (e.g., "T" with "o") to ensure optimal letter spacing.
   • Test your font spacing with sample text in the Preview Panel.

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Exporting the Font

1. Check for Errors:
   • Go to Tools > Font Audit to identify any potential issues.
   • Resolve any flagged errors to avoid issues during export.
2. Export Options:
   • Go to File > Export Font As….
   • Choose your desired format (OTF, TTF, WOFF) depending on your use case.
3. Save and Test the Font:
   • Save your exported font file.
   • Install it on your computer to test and ensure everything looks correct.

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Tips and Best Practices

• Consistency is Key: Maintain similar weights and design styles across all characters.
• Use Guides: Place guides for uniformity in curves, heights, and alignment.
• Test Frequently: Regularly check how the font looks with real text examples.
• Backup Your Work: Save different versions of your project for backup and easy rollback.

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Resources

• FontLab Tutorials
• Typography Basics
• Font Creation Community

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