Revit Compatability with OTF font types

[Anonymous]

I am having an issue and dont know if there is a good way to allow Revit to have compatability with OTF font types. Is there are third party plug-in that I can use to achieve it or is this a setting that I cannot find? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[L.Maas]

As far as I know Revit does not support OTF fonts. Believe it has something to do with compatibility for export to Autocad, which also does not suppor OTF.

It has been proposed to be implemented on the Ideas section.

[Anonymous]

Is that not the way that text files are going now? Isn't TTF becoming obsolete and the switch is now going to OTF? At least that was my understanding, I am surprised that autodesk hasnt been able to remedy this issue since it has been a problem for years.

[dgorsman]

Text files, possibly.  But this isn't the publishing world, this is the industrial/commercial design world.  And I hardly think that TTF is being considered "obsolete" yet.

I suspect the amount of legacy content for both Revit and other products and the current suitabiltiy of TTF means there is little call for implementing it (at least, not compared to other desired improvements).  If there was something that OTF did that TTF did not, and it was reallly *really* important then there would be more cause for implementing it.

[Anonymous]

The whole BIM platform is based on customization. If you are limiting something like this which is becoming standard in another major program than why not adapt? It just doesnt make sense for a program that toots it own horn about how customizable it is to not adapt with a change of this size.

[Anonymous]

Revit has partial support of OpenType Fonts ... it seems the ones with TTF outline work fine but the ones with the PS outline do not appear in the dropdown list to choose them .... 

see 

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-architecture-forum/revit-actually-does-support-otf-ps-fonts-jus...

[d.volo]

I think the problem could be the same that happen with Autocad.

so maybe fonts with "PostScript Structure" do not work, take a look to the links for further information.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/OpenTy...

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Suppor...

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @d.volo

Here is a similar thread on fonts OTF or TFF

Let me know if you have additional questions.

Regards,

[d.volo]

HI @Viveka_CD,

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thanks for your reply!

I'm sorry but I think the solutions you post are not really useful in my case, I try to explain why:

• Revit reads the fonts from the Windows font directory - these font are either .ttf or otf. (TFF - true type font and OTF - open type font) my fonts are already in the Wondows font directory
• See HERE for information on Common fonts to all versions of Windows & Mac equivalents I use a commercial font that is not included normaly with os but It's compatible with Win & Mac
• Since TFF is recommended in Revit - You can try to use a regular TFF -like the Simsun font - more information HERE unfortunately my company buy a OTF font with postscript structure, I can't use another font
• You can try looking for a post script to tff converter. this could be a solution but I'm not sure the conversion work smoothly. I will try, have you any suggestion about the converter to use?

a complete support for otf font would be desirable in the next release of Autodesk products.

thanks for your help

Regards

Daniele

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @d.volo

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@d.volo wrote:

HI @Viveka_CD,

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•  unfortunately my company buy a OTF font with postscript structure, I can't use another font
• You can try looking for a post script to tff converter. this could be a solution but I'm not sure the conversion work smoothly. I will try, have you any suggestion about the converter to use?

a complete support for otf font would be desirable in the next release of Autodesk products.

Thanks for your response. 

Can you let us know what is the commerical OTF font you use?

Sure, I can pass on your comments to the dedicated team.

Regards,

thanks for your help

Regards

Daniele

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[d.volo]

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@Viveka_CD wrote:

Hi @d.volo

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Can you let us know what is the commerical OTF font you use?

The font is DIN 2014:

https://www.myfonts.com/fonts/paratype/din-2014/

Regards

Daniele

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[Viveka_CD · Accepted solution]

Hi @d.volo

Thanks for your response.

A few OTF to TFF converters you can possibly try:

*https://convertio.co/otf-ttf/

*https://fontforge.github.io/en-US/

Depending on the font attributes, these converters may work as expected.

*I have provided a link to an application or add-in that MIGHT provide the extra functionality for which you are looking. Please note, however, this is not an Autodesk product or endorsement. You should take all precautions whenever you elect to download/install/utilize any application and do so at your own risk.

 Please review the developer’s documentation and disclaimers before proceeding to utilize their product(s).

Regards,

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @Anonymous, @d.volo, @Anonymous

Try the converters and let me know if this works for you. I'll also do some testing at my end.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question. 

Regards,

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @d.volo

It's been a while and I wanted to check back on how you were doing on this issue?

If you want to continue the thread and have additional questions, please let me know and we can continue the conversation.

Regards,

[Anonymous]

Try 'cloud convert' online format conversion. Quick and easy conversion of OTF to TTF for use in Revit and Autocad.

[dhunterLSHVP]

It's very disappointing that AutoDesk STILL doesn't take typography more seriously and support emerging font standards. This thread goes back YEARS, and here we are in 2022 with no progress on this issue, and with none on the horizon, either.

A comment earlier in this thread stated that AutoDesk isn't in the publishing world, but rather technology / commerce. I hate to break it to you, but EVERYONE IS A PUBLISHER TODAY.

Your technical design prowess is worthless to people if it remains in your head. Documents are all technology and information workers physically produce today. Creating documents of the highest sophistication (like they do in the "publishing" industry) should be the goal of every information economy company.

Not only is OpenType (of both 'flavors' - TrueType and PostScript) the most modern font standard due to its cross-platform compatibility, but there is already a NEW font technology quickly gaining ground in the desktop publishing world: VARIABLE fonts.

Variable fonts use only 1 single font file for entire families instead of 30 font files covering every weight / width / style...You can dial in every shade of gray you wish between the widths / weights instead of being locked into only 5-6 options. The axes can also be ANIMATED using CSS in web applications. It's the way of not only the future, but already today.

And software like Revit is STILL promoting ILLEGAL activity:

Revit's lack of support for any OTF fonts that don't use TrueType flavor character outlines forces people who have specific brand identity fonts which they must use to meet corporate standards to use online conversion tools like FontSquirrel to create translated fonts that Revit will recognize.

1. This BREAKS the font licensing EULA in every case. Illegal, straight up.

2. The conversion process is LOSSY. The resulting translated fonts are often missing characters, alternates, and other features built into the fonts for good reasons.

Technical drawings across industries are typically a balance of linework and TEXT (dimensions, notation, specs, etc). They are not solely linework, pattern fills, shading etc. Text is critical to technical drawings, so modern text setting tools should follow.

Autodesk needs to get serious about typography and invest the resources.

COLLABORATE with a firm like Monotype!
They have technical engineers of the highest caliber to help software integrators who want modern typography capabilities.

<End Rant>