OpenType

PostScript, which describes the outlines of a typeface in what are known as ‘Bezier’ or ‘cubic’ curves, was followed in 1991 by Apple’s own TrueType format, which describes outlines as ‘quadratic curves’ (fig. 5). TrueType has two important advantages over PostScript Type 1 and 3 fonts. Firstly, and until recently only of benefit to PC users, its character sets are based on Unicode™: ‘a character coding system designed to support the worldwide interchange, processing, and display of the written texts of the diverse languages of the modern world. In addition, it supports classical and historical texts of many written languages’ (see http://unicode.org/standard/standard.html). Secondly, TrueType allowed for more complex hinting of characters for on-screen display and low resolution output (fig. 6). This latter advantage became increasingly important as use of the web grew in the mid to late 1990s.

For further technical details about the handling of OpenType fonts, please follow this link.


How to download OpenType fonts:
If you enter the font name of the desired typeface into the "QuickSearch" button you will receive a list of all fonts in all available formats.
You want to select only the OpenType fonts? Then click on the tab on the top navigation bar "FontStore". On the left side you will find the pull-down menu "Format". Choose "OpenType" and enter the name of the desired font in the „Search Text“ field. Then you will receive a list of all weights of this typeface in the OpenType version.

more ... OpenType

Fig. 5: Screenshots from FontLab showing PostScript outlines described by cubic (third-order) polynomials (left) and TrueType which uses quadratic (second-order) polynomials.


For a larger view please click on the image
Fig. 6: Hinting is part of a typeface*s design & manufacturing process. This example shows the various instructions of a TrueType hinting program for a 16pt character.
List of the fonts available in OpenType format from Linotype is available a pdf file. Please download:
pdf file english (61,3 kb)
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Adobe OpenType user guide is available as pdf file. Please download:
pdf file english (997,4 kb)
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