How to Generate a TrueType Font in FontForge

FontForge is a powerful, open-source font editor that allows designers to build, modify, and export custom typefaces across multiple platforms. This guide provides a straightforward walkthrough on how to prepare your glyphs, configure essential metadata, and export a ready-to-use TrueType font (.ttf) file directly from the FontForge workspace.

Step 1: Validate Your Glyphs

Before exporting, you must ensure your vector outlines are clean to avoid rendering errors or font corruption.

  1. Open your project file (.sfd) in FontForge.
  2. Select all glyphs by pressing Ctrl + A (or Cmd + A on macOS).
  3. Navigate to Element > Validation > Find Problems.
  4. Check the options for self-intersecting paths, missing points at extrema, and incorrect path directions, then click OK.
  5. Resolve any flagged errors. You can automatically fix path directions by going to Element > Correct Direction.

Step 2: Configure Font Information

TrueType fonts require internal naming and metadata so operating systems can properly categorize and display the font.

  1. Go to Element > Font Info.
  2. Under the PS Names tab, define:
    • Fontname: The internal PostScript name with no spaces (e.g., MyFont-Regular).
    • Family Name: The general family name (e.g., MyFont).
    • Name for Humans: The full name displayed to users (e.g., MyFont Regular).
    • Weight: The stroke weight (e.g., Regular, Bold).
  3. Under the TTF Names tab, ensure the generated strings correspond to the details entered in the PS Names section.
  4. Click OK to apply your changes.

Step 3: Generate the TrueType File

Once the vectors are clean and metadata is set, you can compile the font.

  1. Click File > Generate Fonts... in the main menu.
  2. Choose the destination directory where you want to save your font file.
  3. In the export format dropdown menu beneath the file path field, select TrueType. The file extension should automatically change to .ttf.
  4. Click the Options button next to the dropdown to ensure that TrueType-specific options, such as hints and OpenType tables, match your project needs. For standard usage, the default settings are sufficient.
  5. Click Generate.

Step 4: Handle Generation Warnings

FontForge may display a warning dialog noting minor issues such as non-integral coordinates or minor self-intersections. Review the warnings:

  • If the warnings are minor (such as slight rounding errors), you can click Generate in the warning box to proceed.
  • If critical structural errors appear, click Review, fix the indicated glyphs, and attempt generation again.

Your generated .ttf file will now be available in your target directory, ready for installation and testing on your operating system.