This is the README for Mac2NextFontConvert.N.bs.tar.gz [Download] [Browse] [Up]
This is a description of how to convert Macintosh type 1 postscript fonts
so they can be used on the NeXT.
The required programs are included.
This may not be quite kosher, since I didn't write them, but they are PD.
The compiled versions are included for those with no compilers. There
were compiled under 2.1, but should work for older versions too.
The programs need to be run from a shell, so you'll need to run
a Terminal program or equivalent.
I don't claim to be an expert, I can only provide an account of my
experiences, and take no responsibility for problems you may encounter.
Two files are necessary for the NeXT postscript font: the "printer" font,
or just font file, and the AFM (Adobe Font Metric) file.
The first task is to get the fonts from the Mac to the NeXT.
The AFM file can be transferred in ASCII format, and comes over
correctly. The printer font must come over in MacBinary format.
First for the AFM file.
If the transfer was in MacBinary, you need to convert to ASCII with
the mcvert program. You type "mcvert -Uu file.AFM". This will
give you a file called "file.AFM.text". You need to rename this file
to "file.afm".
If the transfer was in ASCII, you just need to rename the file from
"file.AFM", to "file.afm".
Check the file to make sure that the filename is the same as the font
name in the AFM file! If it isn't, the Workspace won't be able to figure
the fonts out. I spent a real frustrating hour and a half figuring this
out the hard way.
Now for the "printer" font.
Rename the font from file to file.bin. This is an undocumented feature
of mfrc which I don't remember how I found out. If you don't give the
file a ".bin" suffix, the program doesn't correctly convert the last
few lines of the file.
Run the program: "mfrc file.bin".
This will convert the type 1 postscript font from MacBinary to ASCII,
the resultant file will be named "file".
Again, check that the font name in the file is the same as the filename,
and that the filenames for the font and AFM files match!
Now, create a directory "{/NextLibrary,/LocalLibrary,~}/Fonts/file.font",
depending on preference and permissions. Move or copy the font and AFM
file into the directory.
Next do a "buildafmdir directory", where "directory" is the one of
"{/NextLibrary,/LocalLibrary,~}/Fonts", in which you created the font
directory.
You're done. The Workspace now knows about the font, and you can
probably use it in any program.
I say probably, because of my experience.
I have purchased 2 type 1 postscript fonts for the Mac, withe the express
intent of using them for the NeXT.
One of them came with a mismatch between the file name and the font name
as indicated in the file. This must work fine on Macs, but the NeXT
doesn't respect that.
The other font was a bar code font. This font is odd. It converted
fine, but none of the NeXTStep programs that edit postscript can use
the font (WriteNow, Draw, etc.). They all give the message
<<Unusable Font>> in the Font panel. If I create a postscript file by
hand, I can display the file with Preview. The font shows up as a bar
code. I can also create the appropriate files for use with latex, and
TeXView shows the bar codes correctly. Also, 2 of the 6 point sizes
don't work. I've tried re-loading the fonts, but no good.
So, good luck, I hope things go more smoothly than they have for me.
Remember, I don't really know anything about how these fonts work,
I just use the programs.
Lothar Kaul
kaul@bionette.cgrb.orst.edu
These are the contents of the former NiCE NeXT User Group NeXTSTEP/OpenStep software archive, currently hosted by Netfuture.ch.