Show file locations
Show file locations
In MainType 4, I'd like to be able to view the file locations of the fonts in the database. As written in another thread, I have different versions of some fonts in different folders, and I'd really like to be able to know which font is placed in which directory, so I can delete fonts more selectively. I have a main font folder (with subfolders for each character a font name can start with), and I'd really like to make sure I have a copy of every font on my system in that folder. The way it is, I can just see which fonts I have, but not where.
I'd also like to be able to copy the installed fonts to that main font folder (there's always some graphics software that installs new fonts). In MainType 3, I could easily find out which of the fonts were already placed in that folder, now I have to guess. And the Idea of a backup folder for uninstalled fonts wasn't bad, either, even if the fonts are now stored in the database itself. What if the database is corrupted and I have no current backup? Do I lose all my fonts?
Cheers,
Jan
I'd also like to be able to copy the installed fonts to that main font folder (there's always some graphics software that installs new fonts). In MainType 3, I could easily find out which of the fonts were already placed in that folder, now I have to guess. And the Idea of a backup folder for uninstalled fonts wasn't bad, either, even if the fonts are now stored in the database itself. What if the database is corrupted and I have no current backup? Do I lose all my fonts?
Cheers,
Jan
You have moved the mouse. Windows must be restarted for the changes to take effect.
-
- Top Typographer
- Posts: 9890
- Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 5:28 am
- Location: Seven Kings, London UK
- Contact:
Re: Show file locations
This is still a problem for me — I can see six versions of some fonts, but I don't know which one to install or move to another group. AFAIK only one of those six is still on my hard disk.
Re: Show file locations
I'd like to second Enigma's request for font files locations. I still use Typograf, which is far inferior to MainType in its ability to show all the glyphs and detailed info on each font, but Typograf default is to show installed fonts. It doesn't go far enough, however, in showing all fonts' locations. For MainType, such an implementation probably will need some type of subheading for all the fonts located in each different file location, and the fonts should be listed in order of their location.
-
- Posts: 694
- Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2009 10:26 am
- Location: De Bilt, Netherlands
- Contact:
Re: Show file locations
We want people to start thinking in fonts instead of folders and files, and because you chose MainType to be your font manager why not delete those fonts though MainType ?. When we started development we changed the concept of working with fonts through MainType we knew there would be some confusion and people needed to adapt to the new work flow, especially those that maintain a font library based on a specific folder structure. But how and where the fonts are stored on your harddisk should no longer be of concern to the user as long as they can be installed, loaded, uninstalled and nicely categorized and grouped.Enigma wrote:In MainType 4, I'd like to be able to view the file locations of the fonts in the database. As written in another thread, I have different versions of some fonts in different folders, and I'd really like to be able to know which font is placed in which directory, so I can delete fonts more selectively. I have a main font folder (with subfolders for each character a font name can start with), and I'd really like to make sure I have a copy of every font on my system in that folder. The way it is, I can just see which fonts I have, but not where.
All installed fonts are automatically added to the MainType database and will even be available after they are uninstalled or deleted from disk. There is always a copy in the vault and there is no need to save it to an additional location.Enigma wrote:I'd also like to be able to copy the installed fonts to that main font folder (there's always some graphics software that installs new fonts). In MainType 3, I could easily find out which of the fonts were already placed in that folder, now I have to guess.
With a corrupt database you will only loose your settings and your groups. With a corrupt vault you might lose a few fonts. But the same goes for your current "library" if your harddisk fails, you will also loose all your fonts. Creating backups is something you should do in general and we made that process fast and easy through the FMSConfig utility. It is even faster than creating a backup of thousands of fonts in a folder structure because only a few files need to be backup-ed.Enigma wrote:What if the database is corrupted and I have no current backup? Do I lose all my fonts?
León
Re: Show file locations
Mainly because I don't know what will happen. I'd like it to be more transparent. In another thread I already asked if only the selected font version will be deleted - I think so, but I'd like to be sure. When I have the same font version that is installed in a "library" or backup directory, I can't delete the backup version anymore without deleting the installed version, too - or have I misunderstood that? I have to give up control over my files, and I don't like that Idea.León Fridsma wrote:We want people to start thinking in fonts instead of folders and files, and because you chose MainType to be your font manager why not delete those fonts though MainType ?
Being a self-employed web developer with a huge number of installed programs, customer projects, own projects etc., I literally have several million files on my system. They are organized very systematically, and I always know where to find which files. I'd prefer to leave it that way.
Well, of course you're right, I'm just accustomed to a different workflow. Nevertheless I like the idea of a database-driven font manager - but not at the price of giving up control and always being unsure what exactly will happen. If I really want to maintain my file-based library, I have to use another tool than MainType 4. And I don't want to use several tools for this one task.León Fridsma wrote:When we started development we changed the concept of working with fonts through MainType we knew there would be some confusion and people needed to adapt to the new work flow, especially those that maintain a font library based on a specific folder structure. But how and where the fonts are stored on your harddisk should no longer be of concern to the user as long as they can be installed, loaded, uninstalled and nicely categorized and grouped.
Don't misunderstand me - I'm not asking to get the old system back. I'd just like a little bit more information about what is done/stored where.
Well, I'm doing complete backups twice a week and hourly (!) incremental backups, but thanks for your advice. I'd like to automate such tasks as stated in another thread (thanks for your reply there!) because I'm already working very much and wouldn't want to lose time by doing that manually.León Fridsma wrote:With a corrupt database you will only loose your settings and your groups. With a corrupt vault you might lose a few fonts. But the same goes for your current "library" if your harddisk fails, you will also loose all your fonts. Creating backups is something you should do in general and we made that process fast and easy through the FMSConfig utility.
Cheers,
Jan
You have moved the mouse. Windows must be restarted for the changes to take effect.
-
- Typographer
- Posts: 793
- Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2004 1:13 pm
- Location: Enoch, Utah
Re: Show file locations
I think about my fonts based on WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE.We want people to start thinking in fonts instead of folders and files
Names are a waste of time. That is why PANOSE is so important to me.
That is why the fonts I use are in folders and files so I can find the one I want.
Until I get the other 100,000 into visually separated piles I have no idea what they are and remain useless and unused.
Aut nunc aut nunquam
Re: Show file locations
Does it really matter if you use folders and files (file names) or font groups and fonts (font names)?Dave Crosby wrote:That is why the fonts I use are in folders and files so I can find the one I want.
Cheers,
Jan
You have moved the mouse. Windows must be restarted for the changes to take effect.
-
- Typographer
- Posts: 793
- Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2004 1:13 pm
- Location: Enoch, Utah
Re: Show file locations
Very much so. My folders are the four Panose groups and sub-folders and sub-sub folders are Panose numbers.Enigma wrote:Does it really matter if you use folders and files (file names) or font groups and fonts (font names)?Dave Crosby wrote:That is why the fonts I use are in folders and files so I can find the one I want.
Cheers,
Jan
When I need a flat nib style of font, a flowing script, or a Hairline Sarif, or a holiday theme, I have hundreds to look at and can choose exactly the one I want.
I also have an alpha-numerical folder with hundreds of sub folders (A-a, A-b, Ac . . . )containing around 150,000 fonts if I ever want to search for fonts by name, but seldom bother to look at them if they do not have Panose information in the font.
If one catches my eye I will toss a copy of it into the proper folder. Otherwise it never gets seen again.
Aut nunc aut nunquam
Re: Show file locations
I still don't get why you can't use font groups named in the same way as your folders. Whether a folder structure or a font group structure uses the Panose group names and Panose numbers doesn't make a big difference for me - apart from the fact that the font groups are more flexible and can be searched more quickly because the fonts are in a database.
Cheers,
Jan
Cheers,
Jan
You have moved the mouse. Windows must be restarted for the changes to take effect.
-
- Typographer
- Posts: 793
- Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2004 1:13 pm
- Location: Enoch, Utah
Re: Show file locations
That is my present free-time job, moving folders into groups. Perhaps in a couple of months . . .
Aut nunc aut nunquam
Re: Show file locations
Are you doing this by hand?Dave Crosby wrote:That is my present free-time job, moving folders into groups. Perhaps in a couple of months . . .
Cheers,
Jan
You have moved the mouse. Windows must be restarted for the changes to take effect.
-
- Top Typographer
- Posts: 9890
- Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2002 5:28 am
- Location: Seven Kings, London UK
- Contact:
Re: Show file locations
This can be done automatically. Create groups after importing fonts to the library:Dave Crosby wrote:That is my present free-time job, moving folders into groups. Perhaps in a couple of months . . .
Bug: The text label on the dialogue is too small to show the whole text.