Possible to add ligatures to a font in italic only?

Glyphs
1

Hello, I’m adding a ligature to a font, but I need the ligature to work only when the text is in italic. Is it possible? Thanks!

2

Yes.

3

Thanks, mekkablue. How can I do it? I’d appreciate any pointers.

4

Are you keeping italic and upright in the same Glyphs file?

5

I’m actually not sure. I’m trying to add ligatures to this font: https://github.com/googlefonts/Inconsolata

Its Glyphs file doesn’t seem to include an italic style. I only found Regular and Bold in Font Info. Where should I start? Thanks!

6

That font does not have an italic style. If you want one, you’ll have to make it yourself. Usually italic and upright styles live in separate Glyphs files (since the outlines are rarely compatible). I suppose you might start by duplicating the existing file and skewing all the glyphs in the copy you’ve made.

I don’t know all the ins and outs of the SIL Open Font License, but you should read it carefully to make sure it’s okay to do the things you want to do to the font.

7

Thanks, psb6m! Is there a common open font that does come with an italic style? This is for an experiment at the moment. I’m not trying to distribute the font.

8

Lots, though I don’t know how many are made with Glyphs (which will, however, happily import UFOs). For example:

https://www.typewolf.com/google-fonts

https://www.theleagueofmoveabletype.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Open-source_typefaces

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