Problem with Arial

[Derfie]

I am working on a HUGE project that involves multiple different indesign documents and charts. The problem is that I work sometimes work on my laptop and my desktop. The files are on my desktop, and I can access them on my laptop over the network. The problem is the Arial font that I am using won't work on both computers. When I open a file on my desktop I get a message that I am missing the Arial Narrow (OTF) Font. I tried to collect the file from the laptop and load the Arial onto the desktop, but it still won't recognize the font. somehow I have several versions of Arial (T1, MT, TT, MT/BM). No matter which computer I am working on, I get an error message about missing an Arial font. Any ideas, this is driving me nuts.

[pirate]

ok...
questions:
what OS?
what are you using for font management?
what version of Indesign?

[darkwolf29a]

I'm sure that you know this, but there are different versions of the Arial font. If you choose one that doesn't exist on the other computer....there's your error message. I've seen this before, but only when I forget to install a font or two.

[Derfie]

The desktop is a mac mini running OS 10.4.11
The laptop is a Macbook running OS 10.5.8

I am using ID CS3, and fontbook.

I know that there are different versions of Arial, but I can't seem to get it to load. I am collecting the file using the ID package feature from the laptop, and then loading the font that was collected into the Font book on the desktop computer, but when I open the file back up on the desktop, it still tells me it is looking for Arial OFT.

[Virgo Nightingale]

Have you restarted the desktop?

[pirate]

Have you checked in Fontbook to see if you have any conflicts (there will be a dot next to the name)?

I would look into something else besides Fontbook for font management. You can try Linotypes Font Explorer (it's free) and works like a champ.
here's a link:
http://www.linotype.com/2393/fontexplorer.html
You could also check your user font folder to see if you have more in there that may be causing the conflict.
user/home/library/fonts

[Derfie]

Good Question- I just rebooted again to make sure, and still have the same problem.

[pirate]

you may need to clean your caches as well.
Try using Applejack, it is also free and does a great job as a Mac maintenance tool.
here's a link for that:
http://applejack.sourceforge.net/#top

[Derfie]

Have you checked in Fontbook to see if you have any conflicts (there will be a dot next to the name)?

I would look into something else besides Fontbook for font management. You can try Linotypes Font Explorer (it's free) and works like a champ.
here's a link:
http://www.linotype.com/2393/fontexplorer.html
You could also check your user font folder to see if you have more in there that may be causing the conflict.
user/home/library/fonts

I will try the Linotypes. Yes there is a conflict. When I load the Arial from the laptop, it gives me the dot in the fontbook, so I know there is a conflict, but I am not sure how to resolve it. I am not sure how I ended up with multiple versions of the Arial, but I would like to have one clean set of Arial that will work on both computers. Since this is a very dry informational project, I don't really care which Arial I end up using.

[Derfie]

http://objectmix.com/adobe-indesign/780639-arial-tt-vs-otf-indesign-handles-same-fontfile-differently-leopard.html

It looks like an issue with the OS versions, which kinda sucks. I eventually need to buy a macbook pro to replace my mini, so I didn't want to upgrade the OS for the mini.

Thanks for the help