Working with OTLFD Scripts
Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2016 9:32 am
What is an OTLFD script? The file extension is short for Open Type Layout Feature Definition, and is used by FontCreator's OpenType Designer. The scripts can be edited in Notepad or a similar text editor.
FontCreator 9.0 or later versions include the Visual OpenType Designer so that users don't need to do so much coding, but the Code Editor is still present for those who prefer to work with code.
Harmonising OpenType Features Between Font Styles
After adding, editing, and ordering the OpenType Features and Lookups for one type style, there's no need to repeat the work for other styles in the same font family. (This assumes that all styles in the same font family have the same glyphs, with the same glyph names. If this is not the case, the Code Editor compiler will report errors such as glyph not found, and will not compile. Warnings, e.g. about unused Kerning Classes can be ignored).
After completing work on the Regular style:-
Export the Script Switch to another style. Since the Italic style may have different kerning values to the Regular style, first one should copy the kerning pair adjustment lookup for the Italic style.
Open Pair Adjustment Lookup in Code Editor Select All (Ctrl A), and Copy (Ctrl C). Do take care that you're not pressing Ctrl V by accident!
Import the Script Confirm Overwrite Don't worry, changes won't be lost until you save the font project, so you can check that it works correctly before saving the changes.
Open Pair Adjustment for Imported Script Select All (Ctrl A) and paste the lookup back again from the clipboard (Ctrl V). Again, take care that you're not pressing Ctrl C.
OK to save the changes, and verify the script, before saving the updated Font Project.
Repeat for all of the other styles in the Font Family.
FontCreator 9.0 or later versions include the Visual OpenType Designer so that users don't need to do so much coding, but the Code Editor is still present for those who prefer to work with code.
Harmonising OpenType Features Between Font Styles
After adding, editing, and ordering the OpenType Features and Lookups for one type style, there's no need to repeat the work for other styles in the same font family. (This assumes that all styles in the same font family have the same glyphs, with the same glyph names. If this is not the case, the Code Editor compiler will report errors such as glyph not found, and will not compile. Warnings, e.g. about unused Kerning Classes can be ignored).
After completing work on the Regular style:-
Export the Script Switch to another style. Since the Italic style may have different kerning values to the Regular style, first one should copy the kerning pair adjustment lookup for the Italic style.
Open Pair Adjustment Lookup in Code Editor Select All (Ctrl A), and Copy (Ctrl C). Do take care that you're not pressing Ctrl V by accident!
Import the Script Confirm Overwrite Don't worry, changes won't be lost until you save the font project, so you can check that it works correctly before saving the changes.
Open Pair Adjustment for Imported Script Select All (Ctrl A) and paste the lookup back again from the clipboard (Ctrl V). Again, take care that you're not pressing Ctrl C.
OK to save the changes, and verify the script, before saving the updated Font Project.
Repeat for all of the other styles in the Font Family.