Axes
Fontra’s approach is variable-first, therefore it’s most likey that you will add at least one font axis. The most common one is probably Weight. Add a new axis via the New axis… button.
Pro tips:
- Before you create a new axis we recommend to have a look at Designspace, first.
- Change the order of the axes via drag and drop.
Names
| Entry | Description |
|---|---|
| Name¹ | The axis name identifies the axis |
| OT tag | The axis tag must be 4 characters long. Registered OT tags. Non-registered tags must be written in all uppercase. |
| UI Name¹ | UI Name is the Label how it will be visible to the end user |
¹Note: Name and UI Name are often the same.
Range
| Entry | Description |
|---|---|
| Axis Type | Either Continuous² or Discrete³ |
²Range: Axis type Continuous
| Entry | Description |
|---|---|
| Minimum | the minimum value of the axis (for example: 100 for Thin in a Weight axis) |
| Default | the default value of the axis (for example: 400 for Regular in a Weight axis) |
| Maximum | the maximum value of the axis (for example: 900 for Black in a Weight axis) |
³Range: Axis type Discrete
| Entry | Description |
|---|---|
| Values | a list of values for the axis (for example: 0 for Upright and 1 for Italic for Italic axis) |
| Default | the default value of the axis (for example: 0 for Upright in the Italic axis) |
Mapping graph
The mapping graph visualizes the axis mapping.
Mapping list
It’s about remapping values -> specify a new mapping of the axis values (also known as avar-mapping or non-linear interpolation). Add a new mapping with the plus-button or remove a mapping with the minus-button.
Example Let’s say, we have a set-up of Weight axis from 0 to 1000 with these values:
- Light: 0
- Regular: 250
- Medium: 400
- Bold: 750
- ExtraBold: 1000
In this case we need a remapping to:
- Light: 200
- Regular: 400
- Medium: 500
- Bold: 700
- ExtraBold: 800
Within the axes panel, this non-linear interpolation would look like this:
Axis Values
Add a new axis value with plus-button or remove it via minus-button (keyword: STAT table, Example by Microsoft).
| Entry | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | The name of a specifed style (for example Regular) |
| Value | The value of a style (for example 400 for Regular) |
| Min | The minumum value of a style (for example 350 for Regular) |
| Max | The maximum value of a style (for example 450 for Regular) |
| Linked | The linked value of a style (for example 700 for Regular, so it's linked with Bold) |
| Elidable | A checkbox which shows that the name should not be displayed (Upright might be an elidable name in the Italic axis) |