Fonts? OTF or TTF

[dvhoward]

When I buy fonts, I see some have OTF and TTF fonts. Should I install both or only one. I'm a PSE user for now, but hope one day to move up to PS CC. I am not a designer. I do not have a web site, only a personal blog.

Most of my recent font purchases have come with webfonts. What are they and do I need them?

I know there are a lot of font addicts out there...so share, share, share your insights...pleeeeease?


Did some googling and found out about webfonts and desktop fonts. No webfonts for me. Here's one place where I learned that info:
http://www.fontspring.com/support/general/difference-between-desktop-font-and-webfont

 

[mollyc]

OTF. They are cross platform and have more characters typically.

 

[Brandi]

Oh that's good to know, Molly! I always thought TTF. TFS

 

[jk703]

Thanks Molly! I didn't know that!

 

[Cath_]

Thank you, More characters sound better. But are they as clear as a true font

 

[dvhoward]

Thank you, More characters sound better. But are they as clear as a true font

I did some research and found out that they are and they actually use less space. That's the font type I'm going to choose when I'm offered the choice.

 

[christina]

Good info to know as I have always picked the ttf file Thanks Molly

 

[mollyc]

OTF is a newer and better format. A lot of the scripty fonts that are popular now have more characters that can be accessed in design programs. Like alternates for different swashes, etc. PS can access some of them but not all of them. Programs like Illustrator can access all of them but typically the price for OTF and TTF is the same and OTF gives you more options down the line. And they run on Mac and PC, whereas TTF files typically you have to buy for a specific operating system.

But, even though PS can't access all the alternates, it can access some of them, which gives you a wider range of kerning, styling, etc. Always choose OTF when given the option.

 

[lorryfach]

How do you get to alternate glyphs in PS?

 

[mollyc]

From the character panel right click on the upper right and go to the Open Type menu and you will see various alternates. Contextual ligatures (will kern specific letter pairs), Swashes, etc.

 

[Karen]

Wow! Lots of great info in here! I didn't know you could see the alternates in PS either. Going to check that out tonight!

 

[lorryfach]

From the character panel right click on the upper right and go to the Open Type menu and you will see various alternates. Contextual ligatures (will kern specific letter pairs), Swashes, etc.

You've just made my day!