Expanding outline letters - Overlapping

Hey,

I hope you’re doing well!

I’m working on a type project where I need to create a typeface with expanding letter outlines. However, when I use the variable feature to expand the outline, it ends up overlapping with the preceding letter, which I’d like to avoid. Ideally, I’d like to create an “envelope” around the entire word or sentence so that the outline expands without any overlap.

I thought about using a color font feature, as it works with layers and could allow the back layer to expand. However, I’m still encountering the same issue with overlapping letters.

I’ve attached a screenshot: the top example shows the overlapping issue I’m facing, while the bottom one represents the result I’m aiming for.

Do you have any recommendations? Perhaps sensitive glyphs or other color font options could help?

Thank you!
Screenshot 2024-10-18 at 11.44.09

You need to either build two fonts and put two text frames on top of each other, or build the font (with a lot alternates) that cuts into the left of each glyph depending on the previous glyph.

I have asked for a feature that would handle this in color fonts in spec meetings a few times but that didn’t take on.

1 Like

Thank Georg for your reply -
So I’ll explore the way with of a lot of alternates - :slight_smile:

Good to hear that you already get this topic for the potential new feature !

Have a good one,