A new plugin, but just a beta for now. Light Table keeps track of your file versions using Git. If you have not used Git before, this should make it much easier to get started.
Some of the highlights include:
Creating new versions
Reviewing changes
Discarding changes you don’t like
Comparing outlines and metrics with past versions
Restoring old layers, glyphs, and fonts
In the Repository window, you can review your progress, discard changes, stage files, and create versions:
In the palette, you can browse the versions of the document or filter the list to only show versions in which the currently active glyph or layer were affected:
There is also a Python API if you want to automate any of the above.
This plugin is still in beta. That mostly means that some important features are missing, but the features that are there should work well enough. You can find a description of the existing features on the plugin’s website:
You can get the plugin on macOS 12 or later from the Plugin Manager by searching for “Light Table”.
Still missing:
Networking of any kind, so for collaboration with others you need to jump to a different Git client to push and pull.
Merge conflict resolution: This is one of the more difficult areas of Git that can be made a lot better by teaching Git how the underlying file structure works. I have some of this in the works, but not ready yet.
A command-line tool if the basic features for use in CI/CD workflows and for those who like working in the Terminal. I have a prototype that I can send you if you are interested.
Refinements in many corners and handling of many edge cases.
Regarding localization: The plugin is available in English and German, with partial translations into Italian and Simplified Chinese. If you want to translate the plugin into your language, contact me and I can send you the localization files.
Thanks! I should mention that Light Table integrates directly with Peter’s excellent Font Proofer app: Right-click any version in the palette and choose Compare in Font Proofer…
Light Table then asks you where to create the new Font Proofer document. You can also customize the master or instance to compare, the text content, and the layout arrangement:
I totally dig your amazing tool, Florian. Thanks so much for making and sharing it. I find it so helpful for non-coders or designers who are not all too fit with git to get into it, will definitely teach some collaborators of mine how to use it.
@FlorianPircher This is just wonderful! As a person that works a lot with designers that are not really used to git this will be a game-changer. Like @Mark said it’s time to teach people how to use it
Thank you! I hope I’ll find the time soon-ish to record an introductory movie giving an overview of the workflow. That should help ease people unfamiliar with Git into the tool and provide a summary of Light Table’s features for more advanced Git users.
Sorry, I didn’t wanted to imply that you need to do more work and teach to people. I was referering to me as a person that works with many designers it can be my little contribution as a way of thanking you
This is where I would put a commit list, if I had one.
For now, you can use the list in the palette. It does not show every commit, only commits affecting the document. You can review the changes somewhat by opening a tab with the changed glyphs or layers:
Anything in particular that you would want to review? Are you more interested in comparing the a version to the version before it (the changes that you have made when creating the version) or comparing to the current version (the changes you have made since that version)?
