Linked metrics are shown as out-of-sync in intermediate layers

Glyphs
1

I have some intermediate layers in glyphs that have linked metrics. In these layers the linked metrics shown as out-of-sync in the intermediate layers, because the metrics are interpolated.

This means I manually have to go into each layer, right-click the intermediate layer one-by-one, and choose Re-interpolate metrics. If I Update metrics for all layers the intermediate layers with be set with incorrect non-interpolated metrics.

This issue results in having a Glyphs file with several blue triangles with exclamation marks, and I can’t know for sure if the metrics are correct or not.

What I’d like to happen is that the linked metrics for intermediate layers are interpolated when I select a glyph and execute Update metrics for all layers.

2

“Update metrics for all masters” works correctly for me.

3

Am I misunderstanding it here?

  1. The interpolated metrics suppose to mean the correctly interpolated metrics for the coordinates of the intermediate layer – right?

If that is true, then I select the layer and select ‘Re-interpolate metrics’ to get the correct metrics on the layer.

Screenshot 2023-07-03 at 19.05.23
Screenshot 2023-07-03 at 19.05.23696×668 132 KB

Then I get this:

Screenshot 2023-07-03 at 19.02.23
Screenshot 2023-07-03 at 19.02.231920×1482 84.6 KB

where the metrics are red because they are out of sync with the master. Updating the metrics:

Screenshot 2023-07-03 at 19.07.00
Screenshot 2023-07-03 at 19.07.00724×828 149 KB

Gives me:

Screenshot 2023-07-03 at 19.02.40
Screenshot 2023-07-03 at 19.02.402120×1642 201 KB

With sidebearings that are incorrect for this designspace coordinate.

4

No. The metrics keys take the values form the linked to glyph at that design space location.

5

You are being ambivalent here.

Let me try to put it in other terms. In which case will I get the correct metrics for an intermediate layer?

  1. By selecting a glyph containing intermediate layers, and then executing ‘Update metrics for all masters’.
  2. By selecting each intermediate layer and executing ‘Re-interpolate metrics’.

If (1) is the correct answer, then what does ‘Re-interpolate metrics’ do? I can’t find anything about it in neither handbook nor your website.

6

“Re-interpolate Metrics” re-interpolates the metrics. It calculates the metrics based off the closest (intermediate) masters. This might result in different values than the ones obtained through a metrics key.

To update the metrics, click Update Metrics.

7

Clear as mud.

One of the two is wrong since both ways interpolate the metrics and yield different values.

8

“Update Metrics” doesn’t (shouldn’t) interpolate metrics. It does the same as clicking on the red arrows for out-of-sync metrics. What is maybe confusing you is that “for all Masters” doesn’t apply to intermediate layers (as these aren’t masters). You need to do those manually, or via a script:

for layer in Layer.parent.layers:
    if layer.isSpecialLayer():
        layer.updateMetrics()
9

Right. You helped me figure this out, thank you.

Interpolate: Interpolates between the glyph layers of the glyph I’m editing.
Linked metrics: Also interpolates, but between the glyph layers of the ‘master’ glyph.