Alternate character [bracket trick] not appearing in variable font export

[KZRL]

All,
I am attempting to design variable font that prioritizes a non-typographer’s usability by having a custom axis implement a lot of changes using the bracket trick. In essence, an axis for reading support with modified characters at two extremes (standard version of letters being the middle of the axis). The character swap would allow a different version of each letter to replace the standard letter along an “Accommodation” axis.

Since I have inferred that brackets work off of the primary axis, I have setup accommodation (ACCM) as the first axis and weight as the second.

ACCM axis:
Dyslexia support 0 <—> Standard letter forms 500 <—> Low visibility letterforms 1000

I have the Variable Font Preview plugin installed and it is cooperating with my intent. It interpolates and swaps non-compatible characters as desired. However, when I export a variable .ttf, the character swap will not appear in axis-praxis (tried on both safari and chrome) or in adobe illustrator (installed using suitcase fusion).

I am really hoping I can get an export to function as it is appearing in the Variable Font Preview. I believe, and am attempting to prove, that a sole axis for multiple visual accommodations would simplify usability for designers and users who do not need to understand interpolation or axes to make reading more accessible through design choices.

I do not have a strong coding background so I am unfamiliar with the impact of many custom parameters. At this point I am trying to test as simple of a .glyphs file as possible.
[Glyphs file with isolated /a/.] (Dropbox - Egali 2 test 6.glyphs - Simplify your life)
Exported font file with isolated /a/

I am using the latest build Glyphs 2.6.2 (1247) and Mac OS is up to date as well (Mojave 10.14.5).

Thanks for your help,
Karl

Screenshots:

[GeorgSeifert]

You most likely need the bracket layers for all masters. Otherwise it can’t generate the alternate glyphs.

[KZRL]

That worked.
Thanks @GeorgSeifert

[KZRL]

I have a different bracket issue.
My typeface is using an axis where the default starts in the middle (500) and goes up or down depending on the specific variation of letter that is desired.
ACCM Axis = Reading support A 0–499 | Default style 500 | 501–1000 Reading support B

The bracket trick works to swap a different character to go up the axis [501 +] just fine, but does not work to swap going down ]499] when exported. Things work fine within Glyphs and the Variable Font Preview plugin, but both Adobe Illustrator and Axis-Praxis display the ]499] glyph instead of the middle default glyph.(See second image).

A great majority of the letters in Reading support A (0-499) are interpolatable with the default (500) so they do not need brackets. But, I have about 6 letters that I feel this reverse bracket swap is critical for to replace the character with a completely different shape.

Has anyone else encountered problems with reverse bracket swaps and exporting?
Thanks,
Karl

Screenshot of Glyphs + Variable Font Preview plugin

Screenshot of Axis-Praxis. Notice the weird ‘g’ becomes the default/automatic.

[KZRL]

I did find a solution where I can get it to work “wrong” in Glyphs, but appear “right” in Axis-Praxis and Illustrator.
Use the alt character for 0-499 as the default, [499] for the original, [501] works well.

Thanks,
Karl

[499] and [501] brackets allow to work wrong in Glyphs, but work right in Axis and Illustrator