How to Join Open Contours in FontForge

Joining open contours in FontForge is a crucial step to ensure glyph outlines are completely closed, valid, and ready for rendering and exporting. This guide provides direct, step-by-step instructions on how to locate disconnected endpoints and combine them into a single, continuous contour using FontForge's built-in vector editing tools.

Method 1: Using the Join Paths Command

This is the fastest method to connect two separated endpoints by drawing a straight line between them.

  1. Double-click the glyph you want to edit from the main font window to open the Outline View.
  2. Select the Pointer tool (arrow icon) from the Tools palette.
  3. Select the first open endpoint, hold down the Shift key, and click the second open endpoint. Alternatively, click and drag a selection box around both points.
  4. Navigate to the top menu and click Element > Join Paths, or press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + J (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + J (macOS).
  5. FontForge will generate a path segment between the two points, linking them into one continuous contour.

Method 2: Merging Overlapping Endpoints

If you want the two endpoints to become a single shared node rather than creating a new line segment between them, merge the points directly.

  1. Select the Pointer tool in the Outline View.
  2. Click and drag one endpoint directly on top of the other endpoint so their positions overlap.
  3. Marquee-select the overlapping location to ensure both points are selected.
  4. Navigate to the menu and select Point > Merge Points, or press Ctrl + M (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + M (macOS).
  5. The two separate nodes will collapse into a single unified node.

Verifying the Path is Closed

After joining your paths, verify that the contour has no remaining openings:

  1. Select the entire contour by double-clicking any segment or pressing Ctrl + A to select all nodes.
  2. Navigate to Element > Correct Direction (or press Ctrl + Shift + D). If the path is closed properly, FontForge will automatically orient the path direction clockwise or counter-clockwise depending on whether it is an exterior contour or a counter.
  3. Go to Element > Find Problems, switch to the Paths tab, select Open paths, and click OK. If no warnings appear, the contour is fully closed.