OpenType.tools User Guide

Introduction

OpenType.tools (OTT) relies on information about a font from the uploaded Adobe Font Metrics file (.afm). It uses this information to generate OenType features and render them in a features file (.fea) you can download and import with your font development software of choice.

Walkthrough

1. Create new font in FontLab Studio or other font development software capable of exporting AFM files and importing OpenType feature files.
2. Add glyphs to your font for any OpenType features you want to support. Follow the naming conventions shown below to name these glyphs.
3. Export information about your font in Adobe Font Metrics format and upload the AFM file to OpenType.tools to create a new project.
4. Once you have created your project, feel free to explore the generated glyph classes and features, then export the features.
5. Save the features file and import it into your font development software.

Glyph Naming Conventions

In order to have a glyph included in a feature, make sure you name the glyph with an appropriate suffix or ending. For example, to have your small capital glyphs used as replacements for lowercase letters in the smcp feature, name your glyphs a.smcp, b.smcp, c.smcp, etc. Suffixes containing multiple feature tags are supported and processed as best as possible. For example, a glyph named R_A.dlig.swsh would generate a rule under the swsh feature to substitute it for R_A.dlig as well as a rule under the dlig feature to substitute it for R.swash A. The table below shows what suffixes and endings are recognized by the system and used in generating OpenType features.

Please note that not all OpenType features are supported, and some that are may not generate as expected. It's important to review the features that are generated and test your font features back in the font development tool.