Last updated: October 15, 2002

 

Installing Fonts for the FrameMaker Template

We changed our font strategy in mid-2002. If you are using any FrameMaker template created after July 2002, then you don't need to install any other fonts. If you are using older FrameMaker templates, then you will need to install some extra fonts.

We no longer use flamboyant, compelling fonts in our template. We now use staid, conservative fonts. We do this intentionally. We had a bunch of complaints from customers who couldn't print our PDFs. "Please use standard fonts," they said in a variety of languages.

It is also much easier for writers to use standard fonts. No ATM to worry about, very little to mess up.

The only dark side is that it is difficult to do any font change in FrameMaker. FrameMaker has an elephantine memory and has trouble letting go of old fonts. Fortunately, Marietta's paper explains how to get FrameMaker to just let go.

Installing Fonts for Older Templates

If you are working on a dCS 4.X book, you need to install certain Adobe PostScript fonts. To install the required fonts:

  1. Download a zip file containing all the fonts.

  2. Unzip this file and store it somewhere on a local drive. Make sure the unzip'ed stuff contains the following directories:

  3. Click the Windows Start button and start Adobe Type Manager. (This should have been installed from the FrameMaker installation CD-ROM.) The ATM window appears.

  4. Make sure the Fonts tab is selected, and locate the fonts you just copied in the Sources: list on the right. You'll have to open each folder and select the font files. (You should not need to change anything on the Settings tab.)

  5. Click the Add button. (You probably can check Add without copying files since the font files are already on your local drive.)

  6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each of the four font folders you copied.

  7. Start Adobe FrameMaker, choose Format > Fonts, and verify that the Adobe PostScript fonts you just installed are listed.