Font previewing program

[DrummerHead]

Fonts: I love them, you love them, we love them. But which is the program you love for previewing fonts? Specially fonts that are not installed in your computer.
For installed fonts I'm using the swf from STC (http://www.stcassociates.com/lab/fontbrowser.html). I used to use an open source program called Opcion Font Viewer, but it wasn't format friendly, as it wouldn't recognize all types of fonts.


So, which one you love?

[Red Kittie Kat]

hey that is cool!! I really like that DH :)

[doubting_thomas]

If your on a Mac, Linotype Font Explorer X. Great for looking at fonts that
are on your machine, loaded or not, and the link to Linotype's store lets
you browse additional fonts that they sell. I use it to manage our font
library (10k+ individual fonts), preview, trouble shoot and just look at
all the type faces. The UI reminds me of iTunes, which is simple for me.
It's also free. http://www.linotype.com/fontexplorerX

There must be one for the PC, but I don't know of one (or need one for that
matter). Linotype is supposed to be working on a Windows version.

[budafist]

I use Extensis Suitcase but I'm not entirely convince that it's the best - I haven't used anything else. I found Font Reserve to be entirely illogical. Open to suggestions.

[urstwile]

Yeah, I like that Linotype Font Explorer doesn't require you to activate/install the fonts in order to preview them. Suitcase forces you to add them before you can install them, Font Explorer creates a Library file of all of your fonts (like iTunes), from which you can preview the font(s) before activating them. Very nice feature.

[shudapnow]

does anyone know if there's a OS X version for FONT TASTE TESTER?? it lets you type in a phrase and then displays it in all the different fonts that are currently installed on your computer...problem is, it only runs on os9/classic

[doubting_thomas]

Font Explorer X will allow you to type in custom text, or choose from a
couple preset text blocks to view your font in. Again, the fonts don't
even need to be loaded in order to use this preview. They only need
to be on your computer and in the Library of FEX.

That doesn't really answer your question though.

[shudapnow]

Font Explorer X will allow you to type in custom text, or choose from a
couple preset text blocks to view your font in. Again, the fonts don't
even need to be loaded in order to use this preview. They only need
to be on your computer and in the Library of FEX.

That doesn't really answer your question though.

i have Font Explorer X, i'm still fairly new to it.. i don't know where the library you're referring to is. so far, it's only letting me display fonts that i've installed..anyway around that?

[doubting_thomas]

Show FEX, then go File > Import Fonts ( Cmmd + O). View the selections
carefully, but Import them into your Library. If I recall, I selected my hard drive
for it to import from, so it grabbed everthing I had.

Double click the individual font and it'll bring up a new dialog box with options
for previews aqnd other stuff.

[shudapnow]

thanks! i got it to work. so i guess it wouldn't be wise to have suitcase fusion and font explorer x huh?

[transmit failure]

I'll second, or third FontExplorer its great, the only thing I don't like is that it doesn't have the option to temporarily activate or permanently activate typefaces like suitcase does.

[urstwile]

You could just create a set called Temporary and do it that way.

[transmit failure]

There is a work around for that, what I did was I have about 10 typefaces I use everyday for my recurring work projects. I clicked the setting that would keep typefaces permanently activated, activated those typefaces, then quit font explorer. I started it back up, turned that setting off. Now those 10 are always on, and any other font I activate will only be on until I quit.

[urstwile]

Nice! :)