I had just downloaded some nice Japanese fonts, but when I try to install them, they do not appear on the installable fonts list in the Windows Browser, and when i try to do it the way of FCP, i either get a message at the font test area saying “font is not valid, make sure that all required Microsoft naming fields are available” or if i try to save, it says the file is in use by windows or another program. i only got explorer, systray, and fcp open. i use FCP 4.1 on windows 98 se (the second worst version ever, next to ME ‘_’)
That message regarding Microsoft naming fields comes about when one or more of the name files is missing. I’m not sure in FC 4.1, but in 5.0, go to Format/Naming using the “Microsoft Unicode BMP only” platform and there will be 8 variables which can be defined.
The top and bottom ones are not required and might not be used but the other ones should be checked and have some values. I’ve seen quite often the “include font subfamily name” or “unique font identifier” may be missing.
In version 5.0 you can go directly to Tools/AutoNaming to correct them, but I don’t believe that feature was available in 4.1. At any rate get some values in these fields and things should be cleared up. If Font Creator lets you Test Font then the names should be ok for Windows.
You are getting the “file in use” message probably because the font is installed and the system registry “owns” it. Use FCP to do the install where you can delete the old version first. Another way option is to do a Test Font in FCP then go to the application and look for the font. Test Font does a temporary install under a special name, so let’s you test without risk.
Good luck but be careful, some of our best fonters use ME and they believe your computing condition would be greatly improved if you would only upgrade to Vn 5.0…
I’m looking at the naming fields, and everything is filled in already, and in proper format. By the way, there is an autonaming feature, and i used it to do the thing for me. But the problem starts when I want to install it. In order to have it installed, you must save the font changes, but it wont save cause like i mentioned previously, it says it is in use by windows or another application. I checked to see if it was installed, and none of the fonts i want to install are, so there is nothing uninstalled. You mentioned that the “in use by windows” error was caused by the registry metaphorically “owning it”. If that is the case, how can I get the registry to “unown” it? I believe this can lead to allowing me to save at least, let alone install the fonts successfully.
God, this is making me sooo angry, why does the computer do this to me!?
Rather than straight saving the font do a Save As with a new name. (Always a good choice).
The font might have its Attribute bit set to Read Only. (In Windows Explorer, right click on the font name and left click on Properties - Read Only, Hidden or Archive – uncheck Read Only.) If it was set then that was your problem.
It helpful to use this Attribute to protect mistaken overwriting which is why its good to rename a font file which is being fussed with.
Oh, by the way, these computers do it to all of us, they’re not just singling you out.
To track down the process who has locked a particular file use Process Explorer. On Windows XP it is capable of unlocking files. It is free and you can download it from the bottom of this page: http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/ProcessExplorer.html
This is how you can find processes who have TrueType font file handles opened:
Process Explorer. Select Find Handle from the Find menu and enter .ttf (don’t include a wildcard as that is not supported). To unlock a file, double-click on it in the find window to return jump to the file. Now right-click it and select Close Handle.
Let us know which process is locking your specific font file.
