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JaCkinbOx
01-11-2005, 09:29 AM
Here's the thing: I've developed this signature font over the years, and now that I have Illustrator, I'm trying to reproduce the font in vector. Problem is, I have no idea how to do this -- and I can't find any relevant tutorials to save my life. I'm very picky about accuracy for this font.
Can anyone point me in the right direction? I would appreciate it.
PrintDriver
01-11-2005, 04:26 PM
Are you trying to create a font set or copy your sig?
If you are just recreating your sig in vector, it will take hours of practice to learn to use Illustrator first.
Maybe if we could see what you are trying to recreate we could better point you in a specific direction...
PD is a grande format digital print dude. His advice/opinions may not apply to the 4color/offset/web world of printing
JaCkinbOx
01-11-2005, 08:30 PM
A font set, actually.
I'm really sensitive about securing the font for my own personal use, so I don't want to publish any part of it on the Internet right now. However, I'll return with a screenshot demonstrating what mechanics I'm trying to achieve, and we'll go from there.
Thanks, PD.
PrintDriver
01-12-2005, 05:10 AM
Gotcha. Smart move.
I'm not a font creator but someone around here may be.
PD is a grande format digital print dude. His advice/opinions may not apply to the 4color/offset/web world of printing
Tama Hoshi
01-12-2005, 06:50 AM
ummm... im not sure what your talking about... but what i would do is change the text to outline then change the stroke to outline stroke ... and you can minipulate it from there.... if i understand what you are trying to do
PrintDriver
01-12-2005, 06:55 AM
He is trying to create a font from art. Not art from font.
There was a post around here some time back but I can't remember who posted it. Something about Font Creation software... If I find it, I'll let ya know.
PD is a grande format digital print dude. His advice/opinions may not apply to the 4color/offset/web world of printing
JaCkinbOx
01-14-2005, 01:19 AM
Tama Hoshi said...
ummm... im not sure what your talking about... but what i would do is change the text to outline then change the stroke to outline stroke ... and you can minipulate it from there.... if i understand what you are trying to do
I gave that a try. It didn't allow me the freedom I'm trying to get, assuming I didn't overlook something (I might've).
Here's an example of what I'm trying to do:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/JaCkinbOx/previews/problem00.jpg
Of course, it would be more elaborate (and of course more like a letter) than in Fig. 2, but I just wanted to convey the ability I'm going for.
Sorry, folks. Finding this hard to explain.
PrintDriver
01-14-2005, 04:23 AM
Do you know how to use the pen tool in Illustrator? And how to move points, add points, and modify bezier curves? How to trace shapes?
For accuracy's sake I wouldn't recommend the warp tool (is there a warp tool in v9?) but you can try it. (Tool box, finger bending line looking thing.) It may be a v10 thing though.
PD is a grande format digital print dude. His advice/opinions may not apply to the 4color/offset/web world of printing
JaCkinbOx
01-14-2005, 04:26 AM
PD said...
Do you know how to use the pen tool in Illustrator? And how to move points, add points, and modify bezier curves? How to trace shapes?
For accuracy's sake I wouldn't recommend the warp tool (is there a warp tool in v9?) but you can try it. (Tool box, finger bending line looking thing.) It may be a v10 thing though.
I learned how to add points, but that's really all I can be sure I've learned.
I don't think there's a warp tool in v9.
Wonder Woman
01-14-2005, 04:36 PM
I'm not too sure about using Font Creation software here - it's probable that this would be the software to use, not Illustrator, but I've never used any, so can't be too sure. This type of software exports your work as a font, so you can actually type the letters as you would a normal font.
If you're just going to use a few of the letters, like for a logo, I would learn to use Illustrator's Pen tool. It's tricky to master, but once you've got the hang of it, it'll be easy. It will take time to trace each letter individually, but this will be the way you will have to do it if you're not going down the font creation software.
Searching for creative juices
JaCkinbOx
01-14-2005, 08:04 PM
It's more for a logo than it is for a complete font. I intend to do a font for it, someday, though.
I'll see how far I can get with the pen tool. So far, it's been kinda awkward.
DTP Software (www.dtpsoft.com) puts out FontLab and a lighterweight (and lighter $$), but still pretty solid version called 'TypeLab'. Excellent programs, and they both accept AI files for inputting the glyphs.
If it's just a basic hack around font creation you want-- there's also CorelDraw. It's been able to export stuff to TTF and T1 fonts since.... I dunno, version 5 or so? Must be over 12 years. It's not as easy, or full-featured in this respect, but it can work ok for basic stuff--like inserting a glyph into an existing font.
Then there's probably the easiest, and arguably, most affordable solution: get someone else to do it! Here's a good online service to check out: http://www.chank.com/gofontyourself/index.php
retro
01-14-2005, 08:46 PM
didnt chank at one point offer an online service to convert a scan of your handwriting into a ttf font? or am i thinking of another site? the user would download a page, write in all the letters of the alphabet, scan it in and upload it to them, and it would create a ttf.
Broacher said...
DTP Software (www.dtpsoft.com) puts out FontLab and a lighterweight (and lighter $$), but still pretty solid version called 'TypeLab'. Excellent programs, and they both accept AI files for inputting the glyphs.
If it's just a basic hack around font creation you want-- there's also CorelDraw. It's been able to export stuff to TTF and T1 fonts since.... I dunno, version 5 or so? Must be over 12 years. It's not as easy, or full-featured in this respect, but it can work ok for basic stuff--like inserting a glyph into an existing font.
Then there's probably the easiest, and arguably, most affordable solution: get someone else to do it! Here's a good online service to check out: http://www.chank.com/gofontyourself/index.php
Yes, that's what that link I put in there is all about.